Woman of the Month Before – Anita Couvrette

Presenting February’s Woman of the Month:

Presenting:

Anita Couvrette

Here’s a little bit about her:
I am a 57 year old woman sharing my home with my dog in Gibsons, BC. I have a positive outlook and often find myself filled with enthusiasm, wonder and gratitude. Since I was a child my greatest aspiration has been to become wise and gentle and kind. In that regard I keep the company of children and have worked/played with young people all my adult life. For more than a decade I was a professional clown – keystone kop extraordinaire – “Officer O’Sneeley”. With my partner “Alexander” we performed in schools, International Festivals, and World’s Fairs throughout Canada and in Australia delighting young and old alike with our innocent slapslick antics. For another 10 years I counselled acutely distressed youth in a psychiatric hospital for children. Today – and for the past 7 years – I work and play with children who have fled domestic abuse with their Moms. Through play, recreation and creative arts I’ve developed a fun healing “Drop-In” programme. My hobbies include organic gardening and singing in a Threshold Choir. I’m passionate about peace and creating the causes – both internal and external – that lead to peace.

And here’s how she answered my 6 questions about creativity:

What does it mean to you to be creative?
I see creativity as an expression of my true self. Not so much an activity but more an inherent ingredient in the unfolding of my life; guiding my choices and my path. I like to think of my entire life as a creative expression… a rich tapestry woven together with a variety of threads.

When I’m ‘feeling’ creative I feel fully alive, completely involved in the present moment, resonating with focussed energy. I see the creative process itself as a continual challenge to remain open and fresh. I like to apply these principles in all areas of my life.

What triggers your creativity?
So much inspires my creativity – a great teacher, a spectacular view, a problem that needs resolving, working with a friend or colleague, my intention, sitting in silence, bird song, weeding in a garden. Having a deadline.

What hinders your creativity?
Feeling rushed. Not having enough time to focus and be present. Not having a deadline. Sometimes not having another person or a group to bounce ideas off and make things happen with. Fatigue. Illness.

What’s the wildest journey your venturesome spirit has taken you on?
I travelled alone in India for six months. On this journey I met some of the wisest teachers living on this planet, was cracked open spiritually, and found myself for a short period in grave danger. I returned to Canada a little bit wiser and very transformed.

Or….

When I was 22 I travelled to the Yukon with a group of friends from University. I lived on ‘Squatters Row’ for a year and a half in a tiny log cabin deep in the woods by myself, chopped my own wood and mushed dogs to fetch my water in winter.

What does being bold and provocative mean to you?
speaking my truth to power; challenging the status quo.

What’s next for you?
I am more and more aware that it is the young that hold the promise for our future so educating young people is still my highest priority. I will continue to work at the Transition House teaching peace and conflict resolution through play and cooperation. I will give a workshop this month on the Peace Tax Trust Fund created by Conscience Canada in 1978 for people who wish to exercise their rights to conscientious objection. I will be taking a “Do No Harm” Workshop with Dorothy Riddle. I will continue singing with Threshold Choir in hopes that singing at a friend’s or dying person’s bedside will ease their journey to the other side and lead to more enlighted rebirths. I will turn the soil in my organic garden beds and plant some seeds. I will walk my dog in the woods or on the beach most days. I will give thanks for all my blessings and hope that my good fortune will benefit all beings.

And here’s a website that inspires her creativity:

Positive Pause

Thank you Anita, your being benefits this being!

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