Influential Women Offer Life Wisdom at Top Ten Event

On Thursday, May 9th, 10 of Canada’s most influential individuals graced the stage of the iconic Winter Garden Theatre for the Top Ten Event, hosted by Stewart Knight and in support of autism Ontario. The idea is simple: each speaker had approximately 10 minutes to offer words of advice on the “one thing you should know before you die,” based on their area of expertise. The resulting words of wisdom were anything but simple, and each person told a unique story that was filled with humility, heart and humour, along with colourful examples that left lasting impressions.      

Speakers included Member of Parliament and former Toronto city councilor Olivia Chow; Executive Director, Greenpeace Canada, Bruce Cox; Senator and author of They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die like Children, Lieutenant-General the Honourable Roméo A. Dallaire; International home designer and co-host of Love it or List it, Hilary Farr; Gemini Award-winning comedian and host of The Ron James Show, Ron James; fashion designer and Order of Ontario recipient, Linda Lundström; Genie Award-winning film director and screenwriter Deepa Mehta; health and wellness expert and author of Choose It and Lose It, Rose Reisman; CBC News correspondent and host of CBC Radio’s The World at Six, Alison Smith; and Canadian rapper, record producer and actor Wes Williams, aka. Maestro Fresh Wes. 

The participants offered so much information (serious overload) that we decided to focus solely on our fellow females, whose stories left a profound impact. Here is a summary of what some of Canada’s most powerful females had to say on what we need to know before we die. Follow the links to more expansive articles on the respective 10-minute speeches of each participant.

Rose Reisman: Five Things to Know in Life
Rose Reisman, health and wellness expert and author of 17 best selling books, has redefined eating habits for countless Canadians. Reisman said that ten-minute restriction had “thrown her through a loop” and that one piece of advice was too limiting to share. She therefore broke it down into five main tips that lead to a balanced life. Click link above for the complete article. 

Olivia Chow: Discover the Canadian Wilderness
In opening, Olivia Chow, politician and, of course, widow of the late Jack Layton, revealed that she fell in love with the Canadian wilderness at the age of 16. She describes her life long love affair with the wilderness and its ability to “put her problems into perspective and love in focus.” She described how, years later, she was able to share the love affair with Jack—from paddling down rivers and through rapids to kayaking with killer whales in the Pacific- and why every Canadian should discover the “true north strong and free.” Click link above for the complete article. 

Hilary Farr: Redirect Anger and be Grateful for the Bad
When she agreed to speak at the Top Ten Event Love it or List It’s Hilary Farr admits to hitting the send button, then panicking- public speaking was out of her comfort zone. In questioning what drove her to agree right away, she revealed that she was flattered- “vanity kicked in so I said yes.” She points out that vanity may be negative but may also serve some good as a motivating force. In examining the upside to vanity, she pondered the upside to other emotions, most notably anger and learned to appreciate all the curve balls life throws. Click link above for the complete article. 

Linda Lundstrom: Experience and Embrace Failure
Iconic Canadian fashion designer and George Brown professor, Linda Lundström can also add comedienne to her list of credentials. The designer, who had the audience in stitches throughout her speech, was there to discuss “The F word,” something she is “very familiar with.” The word is failure. “I experienced failure- a big, terrible freaking failure,” said Lundström. She says, however, that the important thing was to experience failure and embrace it. “When it knocks on your door let it in– it comes bearing gifts,” says Lundström. “It offered me humility and a softer, more empathetic, simpler life.” Click link above for the complete article. 

Alison Smith: Seize the Moment, it Won’t All be Perfect
Alison Smith is one of Canada’s premier news correspondents and an award-winning journalist. She has covered everything from Princess Diana’s funeral, to the papal election, Obama’s election and the list goes on. She says she has “been lucky to have a front row seat to some if the world’s most important and memorable events.” She says that, through the stories she has covered from the road, she has learned to savour the moment, “whether happy, sad, happy or profound.” Click link above for the complete article. 

Deepa Mehta on Fear, Communication and Life Lessons
Genie award-winning film director and screenwriter, Deepa Mehta (of the acclaimed film Water) opted for a Q and A with host Knight instead of a speech. She offers insight on fear, the changing face of communication and life lessons. Click link above for the complete article.