A favorite topic of conversation when I’m walking down the street with my daughters?

“What would it be like if there were no cars on the streets?”

Here’s what we’ve imagined:

Cleaner.  Greener.  Quieter.  Prettier.  Softer. More fun.  (Actually they say “funner” but I feel compelled to edit!)

It’s a lovely picture – a world less relient on gas, with a greater number of healthy, active citizens and more green space.

For me biking equals freedom. From cars. From TTC headaches. From gas. From pollution. From stress. From sitting on my butt.

And it’s fun!

I love biking through the city and being in touch with the sights, sounds, and smells of each neighborhood.  The clatter of dishes and dinner smells of Parkdale at 6pm.  The quiet lushness of Dufferin Grove at 8:30 am.  The zip home along hard core Bloor at 2pm in the afternoon.  I can interact with the people, the parks, the sculptures on the West Toronto Railpath and the potholes on Dundas (although they are getting better)

As an artist and art supporter I value connection and creativity.  Biking feeds it all.

My wish?

That it was safer. And easier. And that there were more bikers. ‘Cause everybody knows there’s safety in numbers.

Here is my plea for action…

The Toronto Cyclists Union is looking for more members.  If you are a serious biker, sometimes biker or never-gonna-touch-a-bike-but-support-the-concept kind of person, I encourage you to back the work of the good folks at Toronto Cyclists Union.  Their work is to advocate for a safer, integrated cycling network in Toronto.

Check out my snazzy page for the  ”Refer-a-friend“ campaign for more details on how to join, what the Union is all about and what’s in it for you.

See you on the road.

Get Hallmark cards on the phone!  I just received notification this week from a business management blog informing me it was “Simplify Your Life Week.”

Fabulous!

Although it seems a bit silly to have days/weeks/months dedicated to so many various causes - National Hobby Month,  Sewing Machine Day and Nude Recreation Week, to name a few - I can see the wisdom in dedicating the first week of August to simplifying your life.

It’s summer (in most places that celebrate these kinds of things).  Work is (usually) quieter.  The outdoors beckon.  Vacations are underway.  And many of us find ourselves slowing down and restoring our vitality and perspective whether through time with family, in nature or just plain NOT working.  Which allows us to pause and ask the question, “How can I make my life more simple?”

As a small business owner, mom, and person with a general desire to do more than is possible in 24 hours, I am constantly battling to simplify my life.  I need to be full of energy, organized and ready to go, or things start to get chaotic.  Anything that drains my time and – therefore – energy is not welcome.

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received on how to do just this was from my business coach Judi Hughes.

“Don’t pretend that you are working when you aren’t and don’t pretend you aren’t working when you are.”

If you need to work, figure out how to get the work done.  But if you need to take time off, don’t surreptitiously check your email and “just return a few calls”.

I see this struggle not only in myself , but in many of the entrepreneurs and artists around me.  There is so much to be done, often limited resources, and a great passion for the work.  We try to keep all the balls in the air, all the time.  The result – long nights, enormous stress and limited ability to restore through time with friends, family, exercise, etc.  You know what I’m talking about.

So in honour of “Simplify Your Life Week” and in preparation for the inevitable onslaught of September, I encourage us all to take time off.  And keep figuring out how to take real time off so that we can continue to engage with our careers and businesses with passion and fortitude!

-Sarah Hopen

P.S. Nobody knows better how to simply life than children.  Work hard.  Play hard.  Sleep hard.

Here are my kids playing hard – while I was taking time off from work!  A little inspiration…..

Saving the World from the Big Apple