How to make the world a better place

Authentic leaders know their higher purpose — what they believe they're on this Earth to do!

Finding authentic leaders to become volunteer Queen of Green Coaches this spring wasn't hard -- more than 125 people applied! I accepted 40. (Please subscribe to my monthly digest to hear about fall 2015 applications.)

Authentic leaders:


Know their higher purpose -- what they believe they're on this Earth to do
Are genuine (humble, grounded, empathetic and patient)
See good intentions
Practice self-compassion
Desire and have the ability to care for others
Can create optimal environments for others to flourish

Introducing...(most of) my sixth round of coaches:

Abby, Calgary Alta. is an urban homesteader with a passion for healthy, sustainable living through permaculture design and connected communities, spreading the word about these projects throughout her community.

Ali, Chilliwack B.C. (@alilovesbugs) lives in the forest with her partner and two cats, loves bugs, is passionate about people, optimistic about our planet's future and encouraged by others making a difference.

Teacher and mother of two boys, Angie, Wellandport Ont. enjoys gardening, strives to be self-sustainable and reduce consumption by reusing and upcycling and helps her students develop their voices for change on environmental and social justice issues.

Full-time mother of three, and part-time artist/student and organic farm worker, Annabelle, Sooke B.C. studied technology of architecture, worked as a carpenter and has a passion for green buildings, recycling and upcyling from construction waste.

Annie, Vancouver B.C. bikes to work every day, is part of her workplace green team and has neighbours who help one another -- exchanging plants and sharing tools, seeds and soup.

Ashley, a yoga instructor and holistic nutritionist from Pelham Ont. can be found at the Meier Family Organic Farm snuggling baby goats, getting her hands dirty in the garden, making beeswax candles and promoting all things organic.

Becky, Winnipeg Man. has a passion for people, animals, nature and the inter-connectivity that unites us all. She is a living green, living well co-ordinator at the Green Action Centre, which allows her opportunities to inspire and be inspired. Brandy, Walkerton Ont. is a community educator and mom who loves her worm compost bin (fruit flies or not!) and a zero-waste lifestyle. She's also the deputy clerk -- and brand new municipal sustainability co-ordinator.

Founder of the Neurofibromatosis Society of Nova Scotia, Emily, Glen Margaret, N.S. lives off-grid on 10 acres of woodland with her husband and two boys, and makes and sells all-natural bath and body care products.

Ericka, Calgary Alta. is communications and outreach co-ordinator for CPAWS Southern Alberta Chapter. She surrounds herself with like-minded people who live "green", and uses her skills to engage and teach.

Hélène, Dundas Ont., had an eye for reducing and recycling as a teenager. Allergies and sensitivities drive her to look for efficient and natural solutions at home and inspired her first cookbook Free for All - 30 recipes NOT to die for.

President of the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project (@vftp), Jenn U., Vancouver B.C. is passionate about food security, the environment, waste reduction and community building, and grows vegetables at City Hall.

Mother of three, Jennifer, Lucan Ont. (@jensownaddy) tries to maintain a minimalist household, DIY everything and live more sustainably while working full-time and maintaining her "green" Facebook community.

Jennifer V., Calgary Alta. is a mother to three boys and owner of Small Planet Cleaning Products. She's passionate about creating community. Her motto: "Grow where you're planted".

Julia, City of Kawartha Lakes Ont. (@sogreenithurts) is an environmental steward, clean eater, zero-waster, organic gardener, stay-at-home mom, volunteer and future social entrepreneur. (She's "greening" the mayor!)

Kelly, Maple Ridge B.C. is a mother, librarian and children's art studio owner. She writes about green living and home learning loves handmade things and plans on building her own cob home!

Kim F., Burnaby B.C. loves a good thrift store and routinely whips up secretly healthy foods for her family (or toothpaste) and participates in environmental campaigns or community events. Kim works for the Green Party of Canada.

Kimberley S., Prince George B.C. has a BA in kinesiology and a green thumb. She loves to DIY (cosmetics to crocheting) and enjoys the challenges of being eco-friendly and bringing others along for the ride.

Kristen, Regina Beach Sask. studies environmental biology and ecology at the University of Regina. A writer, organic gardener and collector of scientific theories, she lives on the lake with her husband, two cats and dog.

Krysta, Richmond B.C. is a rock-climbing, green-living communicator with a love for community engagement. She is passionate about sustainable food systems and reducing waste.

Leanne, Winnipeg, Man. is a mother; wife and pet owner and enjoys camping, fishing and geocaching. She strives to bring simplicity to her household and enjoys living up to her family's mission.

As a lawyer in Mississauga Ont., Leah's world is full of paper and complex rules. At home, she prefers a simple, fun life. She believes "green" living should come naturally, like good manners.

Lindsay, Ottawa Ont. (@itslindsaymarie) is a single mom, part-time waitress and recent reiki master who loves hiking in the Gatineau park hills and rollerblading with her daughter. Lindsay envisions a cleaner, "greener" future for generations to come.

Artist and educator Marisa, Vancouver B.C. works at the intersection of art, environment and social practice, and connects local movers and shakers of the non-profit world with the creative resources they need to make their vision happen.

Morganna is a mom and an upcycling and visual artist from Montreal, Que. She runs a hands-on workshop at Melons and Clementines teaching mothers easy DIY recipes and projects to reduce waste and exposure to toxics in the home.

After 10 years of teaching and a degree in business administration, Parisa, Calgary Alta. courageously started over to pursue her dream to become an environmental scientist. She's started "greening" her own family near and far.

Rebecca, Blind Bay B.C. practices recycling, upcycling and refusing! She enjoys learning and teaching others about their consumer choices and believes the world will only change from understanding our part in it.

Sarah, Toronto Ont. (@SarahLazarovic) is a mom, artist and author of A Bunch of Pretty Things I Did Not Buy -- about trying to live with less.

Ecologist, writer, storyteller, and mother of two, Shalan, Bear River First Nation N.S. works on community projects in her home territory of Kespukwitk. Her favourite work weaves cultural and ecological ways of knowing about the land and community.

Shelley, Prince Albert Sask. is originally from Beausoleil First Nation in Georgian Bay, Ont. A mom to two sons, she sought elders' teachings and consciously makes decisions to reflect those teachings and her values -- garbage-less Christmases and birthdays!

Stacy, Travistock Ont. works part time as a registered massage therapist and is a mother of two girls. She enjoys growing and preserving from her own garden and taking care of her cats, dogs and free-range hens on her 12-acre hobby farm.

Fourth-time coach Stephanie, Langley B.C. works as a community recreation co-ordinator and loves finding ways to get to know her community and getting outside with her spirited two-year-old daughter.

Terri, Burnaby B.C. always plans her free time and vacations around outdoor activities. She feels lucky to work for a company that has values she believes in: a commitment to serving the planet and the community.

Want to discover your authentic self? Try a homework assignment I gave my Queen of Green Coaches.

Ask three or four people you trust -- friends, family or co-workers:

Who am I when at my best?
What is my gift to the world?

And then sit with it.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Coulter, a fellow Queen of Green

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