Bonny, 66
Tenacious, grateful, kind, curious
“I live each day as joyful and intentional as I can, no matter what I’m doing, who I am with or if I’m alone.”
✨Twinsight: Bonny’s story is a true inspiration - from being a philanthropy powerhouse to tying the knot for lovebirds. Her leadership through kindness and love is a powerful reminder that we can all make a difference by spreading compassion and positivity wherever we go. It's amazing to see the incredible things that can happen when we lead with our hearts.
I worked in social services for years in the downtown east side of Vancouver. I founded a Canadian Foundation, ‘Diamond Heart Foundation’, a volunteer foundation that produced concerts for hospice. In my fifties I had the opportunity to work for a philanthropist in the US. What a gift of a lifetime to support the work of his Holiness the Dalai Lama, through working with top neuroscientist in the world. It was a breakthrough period in my life. Returning to Canada, I was restless to change my life work, so I became a licensed wedding officiant so I could use my contemplative life into celebrating love in all its forms. When I turned 60, I was recruited to be a lifestyle model in a large print shoot, and I fell into the love of acting and began to taking acting classes and audition.
How old are you and how are you feeling about that?
A: I am 66 years old, and I feel like “so this is what over 65 feels like”, more discounts and younger people do give up their seats on the bus more often!
Three words that describe you.
A: Tenacious, Grateful, Kind. Curious. OK, that’s four!
What’s the one life lesson that you wish you had figured out earlier?
A: Giving criticisms really can be devastating for someone.
Proudest accomplishment so far?
A: Working with his Holiness the Dalai Lama and with neuroscientists on ‘ pioneering mindfulness research and programs’ for children and the disenfranchised.
What’s the worst part about aging and what’s the best?
A: Worst part: my body carry’s aches and pains more deeply in the body. Best: cultivating presence and compassion more deeply in my body.
Have you experienced ageism?
A: Ageism is alive and well. The instant judging I receive can be discouraging. I advocate to dissolve this attitude by the way I life my life.
What’s your message to the world?
A: End neglect of all kinds. Cancel culture shows up everywhere in our day to day life. It’s the ‘little’ changes we make to be inclusive that heal, empower, and extend compassion to all living things.
Favourite band, book, artist?
A: I love ‘underdog’ stories, movies and books. Top of mind, “ Seabiscuit” the movie.
What sparks your joy these days?
A: Sparks of joy: attending silent meditation retreats, marrying couples, being of service to others, and sharing my everyday wisdom with the younger generation that are curious about ‘ my bucket’ lists, exploring working with their vulnerability and stress by their deepening their meditative practise. Having a good healthy sense of humour, too!
What’s next for you? What does your future self look like?
A: I live each day as joyful and intentional as I can, no matter what I am doing, who I am with or if I’m alone. Gratitude has a ‘flourishing quality’ to it, and enhances my everyday experience. So, I guess ‘that’s what’s next.
Are there traditions in your culture related to aging that you would like to share?
A: Share with your ‘tribe’ often that you love them and what’s endearing about each of them. We never get tired of hearing those authentic actions and gestures of love. Spread that love everywhere!
Do you feel visible?
A: Sometimes, I feel not seen at all. It’s a deep feeling of loss and connection when this happens for me. That type of loneliness can be crippling, and as I said earlier, leads to ‘neglect’ and some of our population becoming ‘shut ins’ to avoid this feeling of ‘invisibility’ on their own accord or by society. We can do better for our elders.
Are there things you are doing now that you couldn’t do before?
A: What I am doing now that I was not doing before is ‘ sharing by truth’ from a more grounded peaceful place inside my heart than being passive or submissive or overbearing to be heard.
You can find out more about Bonnie on her Instagram @Harvestingwhatmatters