Greetings from one Island Woman to another! My name is Carlie Kilduff and I am pleased to be a guest writer for Island Woman. I live in Victoria, BC with my wonderful husband and my energetic and amazing boys who are five and two years old. Previously a high school teacher, I am following a new direction as a writer, speaker, intuitive, and visionary. How I went from there to here is another story and you will have to trust me that it is great. I am writing my first book all about it!

I am passionate about spreading messages of hope, love, compassion, self value, and peace. As a mother, I want to do my part in creating a healthier, happier and more sustainable future. I know that we are on the right track, though the times can seem turbulent. I am here to act as a cheerleader. I have always been a supportive and caring person, always wanting to be a voice of encouragement, motivation and inspiration for others. As an intuitive, stepping towards my growing skills, I am compelled to share the amazing messages that come to me. My life has given me ample opportunity for expansion and healing, and I am certain that my work is for more than just my own benefit.

I like to use everyday stories, often having to do with my sons. I see children as brilliant life masters, here to teach us way more than we can imagine, and I weave my messages throughout the experiences that they offer me. I also like to include some of my poetry along the way as I write and perform spoken word poetry.

What I will share with you today comes from a recent outing with my oldest son to watch the Victoria Harbour Cats play a baseball game. Though my children are often the source of inspiration in my stories, this one was inspired by a much larger group than just my son. I was indeed delighted to be with him as he attended his first Harbour Cats game, but on this occasion, something remarkable happened right in the middle of the opening festivities.

The crowd had gathered excitedly, the field was prepared, the warm-up was complete, and it was time for the singing of the anthems. Since many of the players were American and the Harbour Cats were playing against an American team, both national anthems would be sung.  After the singing of Oh Canada, the singer was part way through The Star Spangled Banner when there were technical difficulties. The speaker system broke down and no sound could be heard. The singer kept singing though her voice was barely audible. Only missing a few words, the entire audience picked up behind her, booming a loud and supportive “And the rocket’s red glare…” It was a beautiful moment as the crowd passionately belted out the rest of the song. As I sang along (I have always liked this song), I had goose bumps all over. Goose bumps are a frequent sign for me that there is a spiritual presence with us.

I enjoyed participating in the song, and then the game began. We had a wonderful afternoon at the ball park eating hot dogs, as is customary for my family at a ball game. Throughout the game, I could not help but reflect on what had transpired during the song. It left me with a tremendous source of joy and peace in my heart. On the surface, it was just a crowd being polite and supportive, but to me it presented a deeper message.

I am so glad to live here in Canada for many reasons. Above all, I believe that we are good people with abundant kindness and compassion. A large group of us who were there to watch a ball game would not stand for the American anthem to be disturbed or tarnished in any way. There was strong and healthy respect and love as we joined the song. We put aside national differences and stood united as human beings. I do not intend to single out the United States or Canada. My message would be the same no matter what countries or groups we were talking about.

We must continue to strive toward seeing one another with unity, regardless of our differences. We can celebrate the variety of our individual and unique qualities, looks, interests and such, but at the end of the day, we must remember that what binds us all together is far greater than what divides us. It is my sincere hope that we will come to better celebrate and honor our oneness as a human race. Seeing ourselves and others as cut from the same cloth will encourage us to take better care of ourselves, one another, and our magnificent earth.

If we see ourselves as separate, as you and me, or as one country and another, it is easy to point fingers, blame and injure. Exchanging anger only makes more anger, but love – and this is really hard – dissolves negativity. When I see things like what happened at the Harbour Cats game, I have great hope of a bright future on the horizon. Play ball!

Carlie Kilduff
Carlie Kilduff is a writer, speaker, intuitive, and visionary. Previously, she was a teacher in the middle and high school level and taught for ten years in the Sooke School District 62. Carlie’s areas of study were Physical Education and French as a Second Language. After becoming a mother of two wonderful sons, Carlie embarked on an amazing journey of self discovery and healing and decided to follow a calling towards her work of passion and purpose. These days, Carlie enjoys speaking and writing about hope, love, peace, self worth, and healing.

See all articles by Carlie Kilduff