Filled With Hope

Filled with hope. There is no better way to describe the feeling I get whenever I am in the presence of this extraordinary human being, Hope Paterson (mamahopey8). There is something magical when a person’s name resembles who they are, as this is the second time this has happened to me. 😉

World traveler. Opportunity seeker. Educator. Hope has learned that the most constant occurrence in life is that everything is not permanent and there is always change. Along with this knowledge, and her many other talents, she inspires her students and clients to embrace and grow from it.

How lucky was I that Hope was one of the mentors in the book Get Up, who answered the question:

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR TEENAGE SELF.

Oh, and it’s a goodie!

Shall we get started on who Hope Paterson is and what her quote means?

Let’s go!

Who is Hope Paterson?

I’ll begin with my name Hope. It sums me up in all that I do. It may sound cheesy, but the older I get the clearer it becomes. The feeling of hope I have infuses trust into my life. As a child, I’d long for my name to be like everyone else’s. Now, it feels like my name connects me with my purpose.

Along with being filled with hope, I’d characterize myself as a Fajondilizer. This is a made-up word I developed decades ago that best describes my approach to life. To truly fajondilize (the verb) something is to completely elbow deep in whatever you’re doing and to commit to whatever happens next. It’s to allow space and trust for your creativity to gain traction and spark. When I first uttered this new word, it struck me with a ferocity I won’t forget. The more I use it, the more I embody it. The more I share it, the more others add to its meaning.

How did you get to where you are today?

For much of my 44 years, I have been devoted to change. I am fascinated by those who have a keen nose for disruption. I love exploring novel spaces. Building new businesses and test driving all sorts of lifestyles. I want to know ‘what else’ so others can imagine. What ELSE is possible for themselves. 

My lust for traveling began early. I decided I would venture to the south of England to attend boarding school at eight years old. Next came opening my first company as a teenager. In my early twenties, I opened a restaurant in a communist country. Crazy, yes. I sold the restaurant and moved on to teaching children cooking in Thailand. Then I moved to Canada and worked in and on a number of impact-driven businesses. In between ventures, and having two kids I continue to keep traveling the world a few times over.

Moving about the world, doing wildly diverse things has meant I have bumped up against inspired people of all ages and stages. Witnessing other people’s inspired action has inspired me to mobilize change whenever possible. Over many years of trial and error, some epic fails and astounding wins, I realize I’ve developed a recipe. Ingredients mixed with both planning and heart for how to pivot in life.

Since the Pandemic, I have realized how valuable my teachings can be for others, reflecting on how to seed their own transformations. Filled with hope, I have been sharing far and wide and loving it.

Out of all of the services you offer, what do you most enjoy focusing on?

I enjoy focusing on inspiring others to jump. In other words, to take a risk. I spend a lot of time around brave people. It feels almost like a gravitational pull. As well as working with entrepreneurs in impactful businesses, I have also had the fortune of helping bunches of brave parents on the hunt for innovative models of education for their children who don’t fit in the “system”.

I have guinea pigged learning models with my own two children, connected with educators and resource builders, and shared my findings widely. I sense that even brave parents need confirmation of what’s possible before they’re able to jump into the unknown with their kids.

This helping space is giving me a sense of my magic power. I create psychological safety for dreams to emerge. I reflect back on what I see is possible in others—rustle in imaginations, nudge honesty, and tinker worthiness cups. The results?  My clients often make a change to work, education, or lifestyle they prefer.

What do you find challenging in your job?

Not seeing people in person right now is the hardest part of my job. From my little office in Quebec, I help shepherd people through wooly moments and provide support for them to get to higher ground. The work I do looks different for every person, as each personality and predicament is unique. And the work we do reflects that. Together we unlock a clear path for more ease, purpose, and meaning. Doing this work remotely has been working; but, being in the same space as the brave people I work with could be so much more meaningful and productive.

How do you and your husband balance work and family life?

My husband Charlie (www.ditoui.com) and I use two main tools to regain our creative balance in the Scotterson family:

• Travel teleports our soul to new rhythms. We love to venture to new places and meet new people. Travel reminds us that life has adventure around every corner. I believe we have infected our kids with this same habit:)

• Making art. Each of my family members has their own form of preferred art. I love to cook. My husband adores sculpture. My daughter bakes and my son is into drawing. Sometimes we all take a chunk of time to create in our own spaces and which leads us to get together to talk about the process of our creations. It’s like allowing a force of imagination to work its way back into our days.

Favourite way to unwind after a long day?

After a long day, especially in the winter, there is nothing better than my “bath soup” which makes slipping into a hot bath incredibly soothing. It is my way to reconnect to feeling ageless and completely relaxed. By adding Epson salts and essential oils take my bath up several notches! After plonking salts and dropping gorgeous oils, I mix the potion up into a heady melange and dunk my body. My son Alfie has totally followed my lead on this relaxation tactic and he likes to say, “baths help me change my internal channel!” I agree. Bathtime is an opportunity to switch gears and slow down our nervous system.

Time to unpack your quote: Please elaborate!

“Follow sparkly people – humans who stand out in their ability to listen to their own heart. Being close to them will allow your own thrum to sound clear.”

My dad has always shared, “follow the people that light you up Hopey”. That has stuck with me. It’s an amazing truth to keep in mind. Young people are searching for inspiration and they need this wisdom. Synching up with people who listen to their own truth, who do brave things, who listen to the thrum of their own heart can act as a reminder to do the same for yourself. You will notice who sparkles and who fades your energy. Be mindful of being around those who bring your sparkle to the surface. when you are filled with hope, your life will improve.

This is a fantastic example of how life is meant to be. To take risks, embrace change, surround yourself with human beings that light you up, and never stop learning. To be filled with Hope. Most of all, to spread all of that “stuff” on all who you interact with.