Would I Ever Be That Brave?

Heroes of the Phoenix Rising by Vision One World

I wonder if I could just go and sell my condo tomorrow. Or my dream house that I just bought. My cars and my king-sized bed? I wonder how much courage it would take for me to empty out my entire house of everything, barring three sets of clean clothes, a pair of shoes, my toothbrush, and a soap.

But what is this absolute sense of fear that overcomes me at the very thought of letting go? When did these possessions stop being mere commodities and start to identify my entire existence? An existence for which I will be spending the next 30 years of my life in debt.

My work begins at 7 am every day, and I put in extra hours in the hope of bringing my house mortgage down from 25 years to 20. I’m hoping to retire five years sooner than I have to, so maybe in my old age, I can actually live in the house I am working so hard for today. Sure, my children would have grown, the elders in my family would have passed on. But the bills are going nowhere, so I better forget all else and work. 

Meet Kirk and Yvette Slack

“We lived just like everyone else, almost all of our lives. We worked continuously to be able to pay our bills continuously. We used to own and operate two hotels in Montana. I also ran a painting business with several employees.” 

Kirk and Yvette Slack were your typical middle-class North American couple — molded by societal norms to hustle, spend, and keep chasing “success.” Their lives mirrored everything we are told to aspire to: the perfect job, the perfect house, the perfect car. And they achieved it — running multiple hotels and businesses. On the outside, they had it all.

But something changed.

Redefining “Perfect”

The Slacks still live in a perfect house. Only now, the definition of “perfect” has changed.

“We have become a spoiled, stressed-out civilisation that knows all too well how to consume. But one thing I have learned for sure is that it does not take a big fancy house and a new car to make you happy.”

In May 2005, the Slacks sold their hotels and everything they owned. They bought a small piece of land and started building their new life — from scratch.

“I was forty-three years old and for the first time in my life, we were totally debt free. Not that we had a lot of money, but we had learned to live within our means. Life became a lot easier now: no rent, no car payments, no credit card bills. We were finally free.”

A Different Kind of Wealth

Step out the front door of the cabin Kirk and Yvette built, and you enter untouched wilderness.

“I head out every morning with a cup of coffee and my dog Missy to walk amongst the trees. You find an occasional arrowhead where the Native Americans walked a world before, and somehow you can’t help but feel like you are on the right trail.”

To many, their choice may seem extreme. But is it really?

The Price of Modern Living

Why is a lifetime of debt so normal? Why are our governments and banks not encouraging us to live within our means? According to The Canadian Payroll Association, half of Canadians live paycheck to paycheck, and a quarter of them can’t come up with even a month of emergency funds.

Among North American students, graduation often means stepping into $75,000–$100,000 of debt. Rising tuition and housing costs add pressure, delaying home ownership and saving goals. And yet, all of this — the burnout, the debt, the pressure — is considered normal.

Breaking the Chains

The Slacks made a radical choice: to live life on their own terms.

“It was hard work living off-grid. We were like homesteaders. Last year, for a while all we had was an outdoor shower and a generator for electricity. The days can be long in the mountains. The closest house is about a mile away and we are surrounded by woods. Not a sound, but the wind and the birds. I hooked up a television antenna and we get a couple of channels. It's kind of strange when you are out here in the nature. The world seems just fine until you turn on the news! This lifestyle of ours may not be for everyone, and some would laugh at such a life,” says Kirk.

“The hardest thing I guess is family and friends thinking that you might be a little strange because you don't agree with mainstream society. That is probably the toughest part about it.”

But despite all that, they stayed true to themselves.

The Simpler Path

“We have become a pretty soft society. I think it is good to rough it every now and then. Kind of brings you down to earth and puts things into perspective.”

There is hard work in both the lifestyles that the Slacks have led. But only one of them brought true satisfaction.

“We have never planned on being hermits and still do not consider ourselves to be. We have just learned how to lead a less complicated life. We try to live as simple of a life as possible. Take no more than you need, be considerate, and live an honest life. I know this may seem strange to some, but living within your means buys you freedom. It also lets you relax a little.”

Finding Purpose Beyond Possessions

Stepping away from the rat race gave Kirk space to reflect on his values — and act on them. After witnessing a case of a mother losing custody of her children due to testing positive for THC, and spending time interviewing hemp and marijuana activists, Kirk took another bold step.

He is now working on a documentary about hemp and medical marijuana, collecting stories and raising awareness.

“I just want everyone to know that you don't have to follow everyone else. That it is O.K. to do your own thing. You only live once and as long as you are not hurting anyone else you should live life the way you want to....”

A Quote That Says It All

“To be well adjusted to a sick society is not necessarily a sign of a healthy mind."

What If I Tried?

Would I ever be as courageous as the Slacks — to walk away from a dream that was never truly mine? Could I trade my stress, my belongings, and my social image for something simpler… and maybe, freer?

If only I could muster the courage to sell my condo. My dream house. My cars and my king-sized bed. And empty out my entire house, save for three sets of clean clothes, a pair of shoes, a toothbrush, and a soap. Oh — and my books.

The Real Courage

The Slacks did something quietly heroic. They chose to want less in a society that tells us to want more. That takes strength — far greater than most of us can imagine.

Inspired by their story? Share it, and maybe someone else will find the courage to ask the same question:

What if I could live… with less?

Bonnie Nish: Finding Healing Through Words

Heroes of the Phoenix Rising by Vision One World

"I can feel it beating up against the walls of my body, skin keeping it in place as though if I were to burn it all off I would dissolve to water. I am water..."— From “River Flows Through Me”

by Bonnie Nish

Roots in Resilience

Bonnie Nish is a poet, educator, and community activist whose life is a testament to the healing power of art. She grew up in Toronto in a home filled with extended family — a controlling, traditional environment. Her mother, suffering from mental health challenges, was verbally abusive.

“There was an expectation that I would not go to university, that I would grow up and get married to a nice Jewish doctor or lawyer,” Bonnie recalls.

Even as a child, Bonnie resisted those limitations. She found refuge in the homes of supportive friends and left home at eighteen. Despite her mother’s disapproval, she enrolled at the University of Toronto, working part-time to earn her degree in English Literature.

Love, Loss, and New Beginnings

Bonnie’s adult life brought marriage and three children. But after 9/11, her husband’s industry collapsed. The resulting stress fractured their marriage, leaving Bonnie as the sole provider for her children.

“There must be beauty buried in all of this pain... it is the rise of the self and of finding you again.”— From “Beauty” by Bonnie Nish

Despite not having worked outside the home in years, Bonnie pushed forward — juggling 60-hour work weeks, parenting, and community involvement. Then, tragedy struck again.

Injury and the Power of Expression

While supervising children at a playground, Bonnie was hit in the head and suffered a serious concussion. Just as she was recovering, a second blow — a basketball accident — reversed all progress.

Yet even in this, Bonnie found purpose. During her recovery, she began compiling stories from others with similar brain injuries, creating a powerful manuscript to help those facing invisible trauma.

“My poems come from my history, my sorrow, and my joy. Poetry has always been a way in which I could express myself especially at times when I felt I had no voice.”

A Life of Purpose

Bonnie now works in a high school classroom supporting disabled students. Beyond her job, she uses poetry to uplift others. She runs writing workshops in drug rehab centres and children's hospitals, believing deeply in the power of self-expression.

“One thing that came from growing up with a mother that had such mental health issues was that it gave me compassion for other people's circumstances.”

She also leads a weekly youth writing group and funds a scholarship for one participant to attend Vancouver Public Library’s summer book camp.

Building Community Through Words

Her work has one core mission: “Promoting the Arts That Inspire the World to Take Notice of Itself.” Bonnie hopes to foster literacy, build community, and restore confidence — especially in those often overlooked.

“I want to raise personal, social, and global awareness through the creation of poetry and the arts, collaborating and working together.”

From schools to transition houses to inner-city programs, Bonnie’s workshops are helping hundreds find their voice in a noisy world.

“People ask me, why do you do everything you do?” Bonnie says. “And I answer: because I can.”

A Legacy of Healing

“She discards her shoes when she plays, feet tucked on either side of the cello… vibrations move up her body until the rhythm carries her beyond heaven...”— From “Transformation”

by Bonnie Nish

Thank you, Bonnie, for weaving happiness and hope into every line you write.

Nathalea Miller: A Vision of Strength in the Face of Darkness

Heroes of the Phoenix Rising by Vision One World

From Nurse to Student: A Life Transformed Overnight

In December 2007, just a week before Christmas, Nathalea Miller’s life changed forever. A former nurse of 15 years, Nathalea collapsed after enduring weeks of intense headaches. She was rushed to the hospital where she was diagnosed with dangerously high intraocular pressure—forcing her into emergency eye surgery. But the outcome was devastating.

“I lost my vision. Just like that.”

Despite multiple surgeries, daily medications, and months of pain, Nathalea’s sight never returned. After nearly a year of clinging to hope, doctors confirmed the diagnosis: she was permanently and legally blind.

Rebuilding Her Life with Purpose

Devastated but not defeated, Nathalea—affectionately known as “Nat”—chose to start over. Now in her 40s, she studies broadcast journalism with the goal of becoming a health awareness reporter. Her dream is to launch a show called Health Matters, helping educate the public about medical issues—drawing on her nursing background and lived experience.

“I want to show that disability doesn’t mean inability.”

A Life of Giving, Even in Darkness

Before losing her sight, Nat was the person others depended on—caring for patients, helping new mothers, and supporting her own mother with Parkinson’s. But when she became blind, the roles reversed, and the support she once gave so freely wasn’t always returned.

“I saw people walk away from me. Friends, family, even the man I was supposed to marry.”

Her experience revealed the deep social stigma around disability. Many couldn’t accept her blindness, especially since she still appeared vibrant and full of life. But Nat refused to let bitterness define her.

Turning Pain into Purpose

Rather than retreat, Nat chose to help others facing similar trauma. She now facilitates three support groups in Mississauga for people who’ve lost their vision due to sudden health issues. She also provides phone-based support for those who are housebound.

“Depression is the biggest after-effect of sudden blindness. I lived through it. Now I make sure others don’t face it alone.”

Her sessions cover not just emotional healing but also practical tools—financial management, mental health strategies, and community building. Each session ends with an “inspiration party,” where members reconnect with joy and hope.

A New Light in the Darkness

Despite her blindness, Nat’s vision is clearer than ever. She sings to residents in long-term care homes, uplifts her support group members, and shares warmth and wisdom wherever she goes. “People can’t wait to see what I’m wearing or hear me sing,” she laughs. “It gives them—and me—something to look forward to.”

Her spirituality has been her anchor. Where she once asked, “Why me?” she now responds, “Why not me?” Her story is not one of despair, but of transformation.

Healing Through Service

With her program expanding to include phone support, Nat has helped hundreds face reality with courage. Her lived experience, clinical knowledge, and deep empathy make her a powerful guide.

As one participant wrote:

“Your skill set and lived experiences gave me hope to function with my special abilities. The sessions were informative, resourceful, and most of all fun. Thank you for a space to call my own.”

The Road Ahead

Nathalea’s dream of spreading awareness through broadcast journalism is well on its way. She continues to shatter misconceptions about blindness, showing the world that disability does not define your destiny.

When asked if she hopes to see again, she smiles and says, “Oh, there’s always hope.”