If there is one thing I’m passionate about in life, it’s living the best one possible. Needless to say when I heard lululemon’s Director of Possibility, Susanne Conrad, and imagine1day were hosting an event open to all I was almost giddy with excitement. What kind of possibility would this event create in my life?

Going into the room that day, my goal was clear. I wanted to leave the day a better communicator than when I came in. But the truth behind that goal, was the communication I sought was very one way. How could I say what I wanted to say in a way that influenced others? So when Susanne started talking about stingy versus generous listening I smiled politely and waited for her to get to the good stuff. Then it clicked. This was the good stuff. I’m stingy, and if I want to be a great communicator I need to listen. Really listen. Not listen, assess whether or not I agreed with this person and then say something to make myself look good. Yep, I do it and I’m owning it. Sometimes the best thing a person can do for you is remind you of the obvious things you already knew. I needed to be reminded I can be stingy.

Looking back it’s laughable. What kind of effective communication goes only one way? Of course, I hated admitting to myself that I’m a stingy listener. Nobody likes to think of themselves as stingy (and I’m a generous tipper, even on sub-par service). Sometimes the best thing a person can do for you is to remind you of the obvious things you already knew.  The moment I owned who I was being as a listener, was the same moment I became the person I wanted to be. The kind of person who has the courage to recreate themselves, to own a mistake and to take themselves on and change that behavior. The kind of person who understands communication is a 2 way street, and the listening side is a four lane highway. So off I go to recreate myself.

Sheena recently took part in Livin' It Up led by Susanne Conrad and imagine1day in Vancouver where 100% of the tuition goes to building new schools in Ethiopia. This event is happening in Toronto May 1st and in New York May 2nd. For more information about Imagine1day visit their site here: http://www.imagine1day.org/

Sheena's co-friend Jayme with their dance teacher, Geneen

Some people call them coworkers, but we like to think of them as cofriends. Yep, they are the peeps that share a laugh at our desk, keep us sane when the going gets tough and hit up the daily Starbucks run with us. It's with this spirit of camaraderie in mind, that Jayme and I decided to take our friendship out of the office and into the dance studio.

We embarked on a journey to Drive Dance Centre for an Intro to Street Jazz class. While we have yet to be trained in the art of wiggling jazz hands, our fabulous instructor Geneen is slowly but surely whipping our plies into shape.

Jayme warming up the jazz hands and Geneen ready to bust a move in her Gather and Crows

We warm up boot-camp style and then get our groove on, singing along to the Black Eyed Peas. The best part about the whole experience is having someone there to share a laugh with. Don't get me wrong, we take our dance moves seriously. It's just that leaping across the floor solo isn't so intimidating when there's a friendly face and encouraging word waiting for you on the other side.

So week after week, Jayme and I do what we do best...dance, sing, floss and travel.