02 - Celebrate Important Life Events

Written By Julie Entwistle MBA, BSc (OT), BSc.

50 Years, 50 Lessons

Lesson 2: Celebrate Important Life Events

I have always used milestones as time for self-induced reflection. Milestones give me deadlines and force me to free up the headspace for truly pondering “what it all means.”

I am not sure if this comes from my previous volunteering in hospice, or from my work with people who had suffered serious trauma, but I am always mindful that this one day, date, or “thing,” could be the last. So, I ask myself, what do you want to do with it?

Here are some ways I have celebrated the big stuff:

  • For all my girls’ first birthdays, I put together a scrapbook of my pregnancy records, their birth stories, birth notices, the signatures and messages from the cards and gifts we got, and the photos of the most memorable moments from that magical first year. I wanted them to have those moments and stories captured – in case I was not there to be able to tell them all about it.

  • For each family trip, we’d make a book of memories, sayings, photos, and experiences that we all enjoyed the most.

  • When my girls turned 18, I took them and some friends to Disney to remind them, even as adults, to always remain “playful.”

  • At forty, I handwrote and delivered forty letters of gratitude to the people in my life.

  • For my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, I wrote them a book of the 50 things they have taught me, including the childhood memories that coincided with each one.

  • At fifty, I am compiling a baseline of health and wellness data to use as metrics for how I can optimize and navigate (universe-willing) the next 30 years. I also want to talk to 50 women this year about their experiences and to put together the themes and connections that we all share. I am traveling abroad for the first time in my life – and documenting what I see, feel, learn, and appreciate along the way.

  • I am sharing 50 lessons here.

Your turn: Please share the ways, ideas, or intentions you also have for celebrating major life events. Let’s grow a list together.

To All: Thank you for being on this journey with me - past, present, and future.

Julie

Julie Entwistle MBA, BSc (OT), BSc.

Julie Entwistle is an ICF Associate Certified Coach who works with business owners and professional service providers.

Julie helps her clients by building their business YOU - confidence so they can run, grow, and develop legacy practices that are focused and optimally successful. Julie knows that when professional service businesses do better, their clients also benefit. She knows this because she was one! Prior to becoming a coach, Julie was an independent owner of her own healthcare business before successfully merging, growing, and selling the practice. As an owner Julie had her own business coach, and this was a key element in her success.

Academically, Julie has degrees in Health Studies and Gerontology and Health Science (Occupational Therapy) from the University of Waterloo and McMaster, respectively, and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier. She attended Queens University as a part-time Doctorate student prior to discontinuing her studies in 2023. Julie is also a Chartered Director and has Board and governance experience.

Julie grew up in a franchise family, so business is in her DNA. She has raised four daughters who are off writing their own stories as young adults. Julie is active and fit with a black belt in Karate, a competitive golf game, and enjoys many other sports. She believes in authenticity, showing kindness to all living things, and is happiest when helping others to build their own wealth and wellness.

Find Julie on LinkedIn at: linkedin.com/in/julieentwistle

https://www.businessyou.ca
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