Gratitude for a Beautiful Year of Community
Gatherings, Conversations & Stories of Rising
This page shares the gatherings, community conversations, and events where I reflect on resilience, mindful living, and the lived experiences that inspired my book RISE: Living Life Over Cancer.
Whether through speaking engagements, listening circles, or community events, these moments create space for connection, reflection, and a simple but powerful question:
How will you rise from here?
Upcoming Events
Featured Gathering
International Women's Day
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia | March 2026
I am honoured to be one of ten women invited to share a lived story at The Listening Room in Mahone Bay as part of an International Women’s Day gathering hosted by the South Shore Voices for Women (SSVU).
This unique evening brings together ten women, each sharing a defining moment that shaped their lives. It is not a panel or lecture, but a space devoted to presence, listening, and the power of lived experience.
During this gathering, I will share a personal reflection on resilience, the choices we make in the face of life’s unexpected turns, and a question that has guided many moments of my life:
How will you rise from here?
The event is currently sold out.
Looking Ahead
In early 2026, I have been enjoying a restorative season in Costa Rica, embracing the joy and simplicity of snowbird life while continuing to write and connect online.
Behind the scenes, I have also been busy co-creating a Book Club Package and other resources to support readers of RISE: Living Life Over Cancer and the meaningful conversations it inspires.
I look forward to sharing these new offerings and returning to more in-person gatherings later this year.
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With gratitude,
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Betty Jean
2025 Events & Book Signings
A look back at the communities, conversations, and connections that made this year meaningful.
The Launch
The launch of RISE: Living Life Over Cancer was a moment I will cherish forever. Surrounded by family, friends, and an incredible community of supporters, I felt an overwhelming wave of love and encouragement.
Sharing the message behind RISE of hope, resilience, and empowered healing was the beginning of a journey I to build capacity of good health with others.
Thank you to everyone who stood beside me as this book made its way into the world.
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​Thank you for celebrating the beginning of this meaningful journey with me.
My visits to libraries across Nova Scotia remain some of the most heartfelt moments of the year.
From Shelburne to Liverpool to Truro and beyond, each library welcomed me with warmth and support. The conversations we shared were filled with courage, reflection, and hope.
Meeting readers in these beautiful community spaces reminded me of the deep connections we form through storytelling. Thank you to every librarian, volunteer, and visitor who made each stop meaningful.
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Thank you for your presence in these community spaces. It made every visit worthwhile.
Bookstores and Fairs
​This year brought many opportunities to meet readers in bookstores, craft fairs, and community markets. From LaHave River Books to festive holiday shows and local pop-up events, each gathering was filled with laughter, and rich conversation.
I am grateful for every person who paused to say hello, shared their story, or brought RISE into their home or the home of someone they love.
These community spaces allowed the message of RISE to reach so many hearts. Thank you for supporting this journey.
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​Thank you for supporting RISE in your communities and your homes.
Yoga Sessions
This year’s yoga sessions created beautiful moments of calm, connection, and mindful healing.
Whether through grounding breathwork or slow, restorative movement, each gathering offered space to reconnect with the body and spirit.
Thank you to everyone who joined me on the mat and for rising with me through movement and breath.
Keynotes and Workshops
This year brought opportunities to share wellness teachings, leadership development, and the message of RISE with groups across Nova Scotia.
Each workshop and keynote was filled with thoughtful conversation, reflection, and meaningful connection.
Thank you to every organization and participant who engaged with such openness and curiousity.