Arianna Merritt, MEd | Health Educator & Digital Creator

The Importance of Making a Positive First Impression

What is your best advice for meeting new people at networking events?

As a student or professional, these days we are constantly selling ourselves when we go to networking events and online. Whatever your purpose, you are going there to make a positive impression and connect with people. When meeting someone new, you introduce yourself and describe what you do. This is your chance to set a first impression and leave an impact on the other person. It is a time to celebrate yourself, to speak up about the contribution you’re making to the planet. Trust me, positivity makes a difference!

Chris Guillebeau's Self-Discovery Lesson of Learning to Focus What Really Matters

Today, Chris Guillebeau, the New York Times best-selling author of The $100 Startup, is sharing his record-worthy practice with all of us. During a lifetime of self-employment, Chris visited every country in the world (193 in total) before his 35th birthday. Each summer in Portland, Oregon, he hosts the World Domination Summit, a gathering of creative, remarkable people. Connect with Chris on Twitter, on his blog, or at your choice of worldwide airline lounges.

Arianna's Random Thoughts: A Beachfront Retreat

After 4 years of blogging with wordpress.com, I recently decided to move my blog to a self-hosted site. I had thought about it for a while (a year actually) and decided this spring was the perfect time to launch.

Initially, I started the blog as a place for my own healing and personal growth; over time and through your support, this beach space has grown into a collective retreat space for us all to gather. I wanted the design to reflect the transition.

I reached out and asked the amazingly creative designer and fellow Canadian, Rita Barry (Blog Genie), to help me make the transition from wordpress.com to wordpress.org. The process is quite challenging and technical, so I asked for an expert’s help.

Arianna MerrittApril 10, 2014Beach, blogging, community, connection, Kindness, perseverance, retreat, self-worth Comments

The Writing Process Blog Hop

Ever wondered about the writing process? How does it work? I get asked about my writing process quite often and love having conversations about expressing one's thoughts. Writing is a solitary practice so it is more fun to have people around to inspire you along the way. So when one of my blog friends and fellow authors, Heather Grace Stewart, invited me to take part in this blog hop, I wholeheartedly agreed. How the blog works is that you mention the author who invited you (i.e., Heather) and then share your answers to the Blog Hop questions. Thanks for the invitation Heather! Prepare to be inspired and feel free to share your thoughts on the writing process!

Paddling Taught Me to Embrace the Unknown

Ever been on a canoe trip? Did you just start paddling, going with the flow and discovering new places along the way? Or, did you map out the whole journey ahead of time, then followed it?

Growing up near rivers and lakes in Ontario, I was always in or on the water. Family canoe trips were endlessly exciting. The plan was never specific about where to stop. We’d just say, “Let’s go for a paddle.” And we did.

A Letter to the 2014 Canadian Olympic Team

Dear Members of the 2014 Canadian Olympic Team, YOU WERE EXCEPTIONAL!

The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics came to a close yesterday, but what was captured on screen will stay in our hearts and minds forever.

Throughout the Games, Canadians all over the globe were uniting as proud supporters of our team. I, on behalf of all Canadians, would like to thank our amazing athletes and coaches for their involvement at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games and for being amazing ambassadors of our country.

My Top Motivational Songs

Music speaks to my heart. It also unites people and helps you ride life's waves.

One particular memory stands out as a highlight of my trip to Great Britain and Ireland this past summer with one of my sisters(the same sister who introduces me to new music). We had a special and uplifting experience one night on vacation in Killarney, Ireland. Our tour group consisted of more than forty adults of different age groups from around the world. This night in particular, we went to watch an outdoor concert that was happening near our hotel. The band was playing songs we all knew, so we sang out from the top of our lungs.

Ruvini Godakandae's Advice on How to Beat the Unemployed or Underemployed Blues

As you know, I love sharing inspiring stories to #fuelpersistence in jobseekers and new graduates. So, when a good friend of mine, Ruvini Godakandae, sent me this post I had to share it, as it holiday themed . I love how even though Ruvini has an obstacle in her path (being unemployed), she perseveres, reaches out, and inspires others! She now contiues to do so through being an employment educator (December, 2015). Thanks, Ruvini, for helping others shine!

Persevere Even When No One Will Listen

“Never, ever, ever, give up!” You may have to adapt your course like I have, but trust me don’t quit! I have persevered through many obstacles in my life; the most recent occurred within the last year. Instead of giving up, I changed my approach. Doing so has made all the difference to achieving my goals.

Through my research and athletic experience at graduate school, I saw a need to reduce bullying in sport. The research I had conducted focused on creating effective school-based bullying prevention programs. However, towards the end of my studies, it became very apparent that prevention cannot only occur in formal classroom settings (as these programs were using). I believe this needed to reach beyond the classroom. After I graduated, I wanted to improve the climates of educational and athletic environments by focusing on healthy relationships.

Honoured to be in the Top 50 Personal Development Blogs of 2012

I found out earlier today that my blog Arianna's Random Thoughts made the list (#14) of the Top 50 Personal Development Blogs of 2012. I'm so humbled and thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You guys rock! Here are some of the beautiful nominations that my blog received:

I really appreciate you all for taking the time to vote, read my blog, share your stories, and be a source of hope in this world. I couldn't have received this without you as 35% of your blog award score is based on reader participation and voting. This award goes to you as well. Thank you for believing in my message and adding your voices and/or random thoughts to the conversation! :)

"A Broken Body ISN'T a Broken Person": Lessons Learned from Janine Shepherd

As I mentioned in my last post, I found my answer to the question “Who are your role models?” To me, my role models are individuals who have the courage to be real, to be vulnerable, to be themselves, and to share their journeys.

Janine Shepherd certainly fits those criteria.

I was introduced to her TedTalk after a friend and fellow blogger shared Janine's talk on her blog. I cried the first time I watched it. Thank you Amelia for introducing me to Janine's powerful story and for sharing your personal journey!

HAPPY CANADIAN THANKSGIVING!

Happy Thanksgiving to all those Canadians celebrating this weekend! I'm so excited to spend time with my wonderful family and friends. I'm extremely blessed to have them in my life. My family has this tradition during dinner that we all go around and say what we are thankful for. I thought I would share the question with you.

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