Laurel Davidge

Hi ! I’m Laurel and where do I begin? Well, I’m a young at heart woman in her mid-sixties, who loves to travel, (I’m a former Flight Attendant), stays fit, eats well, enjoys a glass (or two) of good wine and I’m always up for get together with friends, old and new. I was never fortunate enough to meet the right man to settle and have a family with (perhaps I’m too picky), so I have always had rescue animals ranging from dogs, cats and horses. Currently I have four rescue horses (two elderly mares, Falla and Evie who live at a Sanctuary in Renfrew, one mini pony, Trick or Treat is leased out to a young family and their little boy hugs him to death, and my horse Marty that I ride), oh and one elderly cat Lily whom I love to bits.

By nature I am an introvert in an extrovert’s body, I am very happy to be on my own (which isn’t always a good thing), so I make myself socialize, and because I am in Direct Sales I force myself out of my comfort zone constantly. I love reading non-fiction, working in my gardens and experimenting with healthy vegetarian recipes and of course riding my horse and being with great friends.

Who inspires you in your life and why?

Men and women who have entrepreneurial spirits. I love surrounding myself with people who think outside of the box and who are creative in their own right. Both my sets of grandparents immigrated to Canada and started with nothing, yet they ended up owning businesses and their own homes and raised families in Canada. I believe that anyone can start a new life and make something of themselves.

I grew up surrounded by adventurous women, women who worked outside of the home (which was novel when I was young). My mother was considered a bit of a rebel because she could drive an Army truck and a car, she went to work and wore “slacks” and she cooked “ethnic food”….Chili con carne!! My godmother travelled the world and always brought back something for me from wherever she went. I’m certain she instilled the travel bug within me.

Nowadays, I have many great friends both men and women who give their time to help others, because this life just isn’t about “you”.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your life?

My mother passed away unexpectedly when I was 21. Her passing threw our family into turmoil. I was a professional equestrian at the time and I was always traveling to various horse shows across North America. The day before she passed, I was in Toronto (where we lived) and we had met for lunch. I was fortunate to get to see her before she left. It took me a very long time to accept her death and to this day I still have questions of why any of us are here on earth. My Dad never remarried and I promised him that I would look after him when the time came. He lived through seven years of active duty during the WWII and then became a police officer for 40 years in Toronto. His dementia journey took many twists and turns over the years, and because of it I really did a lot of research and learned how to care for the elderly with dementia and Alzheimer’s. I was very lucky that Dad was relatively easy to deal with until the last few months. I learned that looking after him was my reason for being here on earth.

What did you do to move through them? What did you learn?

1. Luckily I have been blessed with wonderful friends who have helped carry me through my life challenges. They are so supportive and never, ever judge. I’ve learned never to take anything for granted.

2. I’ve learned to give thanks for every day that I have my health, wisdom and sense of humour, a sense of humour can get you through most things.

3. I’ve learned to ask for help and to be humble when receiving it and in turn I’ve learned to give back.

4. It is better to give than receive, I know it sounds trite, but it is true.

5. It took me a while to learn my own self worth, and that it is alright to not have the answer to everything.

What are you most proud of?

Boy what a great question! There have been several things that I’m very proud of; being a single woman living in a great country like Canada, making a living, owning a home and car, and having wonderful friends.

The most proud of? I’d have to say, helping women who have gone through domestic violence. By donating time, clothing, personal necessities, and raising funds for various local shelters, there isn’t a greater feeling. These are women leaving a situation with absolutely nothing but the clothes on their backs and often with their children in tow. Each one of us deserves better than that…how can we not help?

What do you want younger women to know?

Oh my gosh, never stop learning!! Never stop taking chances!! Life takes you in directions you never dreamed it would, embrace each change and never give up. None of us are the same person we were five years ago, it is ok to re-jig your journey. I’ve been a professional equestrian, flight attendant, I’ve worked in the Aerospace Industry and have worked in Direct Sales for over twenty-two years. None of those things even relate to one another but you know what? Life is a journey.

Be kind to yourself, take courses, keep active, learn a new language, never stop learning and never stop reading and step away from your phones. Go explore this great planet we live on and respect her while doing it. History is in the making every single day, so keep a gratitude journal and make your vision board. (If you don’t know what they are feel free to contact me).

Do something that scares the willies out of you. It could be as simple as running a 5km race, or go hiking in Peru, cycle in Italy. Do whatever it is that gets you out of your comfort zone and embrace it!

Or even better, get involved, volunteer at a women’s shelter or a seniors home or animal shelter. Do things that help others.

What does living fully mean to you?

Take chances, get off the couch and do something you’ve never done before!! I’m in Direct Sales and even though it is a business, I look at it as helping other women with their lives, either by selling my product or offering the business opportunity.

I love getting involved with my community whether it is volunteering at an event, raising funds for charity, helping my artistic friends start their own creative businesses.

Appreciate the small things, often they are the most important.

Travel!!! Whether you go somewhere exotic or you are a tourist in your own town, get out and explore. You just never know who you will met and what you will learn.

Give back….it is easy to open your wallet and donate, but give back with your time and effort. The feeling of accomplishment when helping others is indescribable.

And, make sure to tell those in your life how much you love and appreciate them!!

Favourite quote

Years ago when I was faced with some challenges I made up my own favourite quote;

“Life’s Fun If You Don’t Weaken”.

Thank You very much for the nomination and for this opportunity of sharing my little bit of wisdom and words with Women Living Fully.