Now that our 40-minute documentary is complete, support the four Es with us: Education, Empowerment, Encouragement, and Empathy!
Join us as family, friends and ambassadors and be the first to witness our candid truths; heartbreaking, honest, and healing. "THE SMILING MASK: TRUTHS ABOUT POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION AND PARENTHOOD" DOCUMENTARY.
Filmmaker, and visionary, Dianne Ouellette - http://www.difilms.com has captured the raw emotions of three women and their husbands, as they battled severe Postpartum Depression. This poignant documentary will change they way you view marriage, parenthood and mental illness.
DATE: Thursday, March 11thth, 2010
TIME: Doors open at 6:30 pm / Documentary begins at 7:00 pm
LOCATION: Royal Saskatchewan Museum, 2445 Albert Street, Regina, SK> PRE-SALE TICKETS: $7.00 TICKETS AT THE DOOR: $10.00
Purchase tickets online at - www.thesmilingmask.com - and click on the "Order Now!" tab, or email us at info@thesmilingmask.com ! * Special pricing available of our book and DVD that evening: Book: $25.00 / DVD: $10.00 Read what one audience member had to say, and don’t miss your chance to advocate for a mother’s right to ask for help!
"This documentary creates a window for anyone whose mother, sister, aunt, cousin or friend experienced PPD; to understand the tug-o-war between the head and the heart, between love and fear for her child." - Jill Poulton, Mother & Success Coach
On one last note...we continue to support and invite others to donate to: Women's shelters, Mother and Baby Units, YMCA/YWCA and the Canadian Mental Health Association. With heartfelt gratitude and amazement! Carla O’Reilly, Elita Paterson and Tania Bird www.thesmilingmask.com>
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Ebb & Flow
To all of our followers, thank you for your time and interest!
As with all seasons, winter is a time for hibernation and personal reflection. To that end, we, The Smiling Mask Team, are taking a brief break with our blog.
If you are a follower please send in an entry and we will post. This is a wonderful opportunity for your voice.
Energetically, we are on the cusp of Spring and with that transition we need quiet time to sit, ponder, rest, reset and reflect. Spring brings with it new growth. As with nature, we ebb and flow.
We have many upcoming events that we need to get ready for. To that end, we do hope that our followers will brave the computer board and send us a posting.
Sincerely,
Carla, Elita and Tania
The Smiling Mask Team
As with all seasons, winter is a time for hibernation and personal reflection. To that end, we, The Smiling Mask Team, are taking a brief break with our blog.
If you are a follower please send in an entry and we will post. This is a wonderful opportunity for your voice.
Energetically, we are on the cusp of Spring and with that transition we need quiet time to sit, ponder, rest, reset and reflect. Spring brings with it new growth. As with nature, we ebb and flow.
We have many upcoming events that we need to get ready for. To that end, we do hope that our followers will brave the computer board and send us a posting.
Sincerely,
Carla, Elita and Tania
The Smiling Mask Team
Friday, February 12, 2010
Write your Child a Love Letter!
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, take a moment to celebrate with crafts, cookies and write a special love letter to your child.
Devote this day to your family and jot down how special your child is to you, remind yourself of your success as a parent as your child thrives and grows with the love you have shared.
Make homemade cards for your child’s grandparents with stickers, markers, and glue, and don’t forget to make a batch of homemade brownies, cut out in heart shapes.
Follow this recipe for Cupids Best Brownies at Kraftcanada.com
http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/cupids-best-brownies-90252.aspx
Celebrate in love!
Carla O'Reilly
Author & Inspirational Speaker
Devote this day to your family and jot down how special your child is to you, remind yourself of your success as a parent as your child thrives and grows with the love you have shared.
Make homemade cards for your child’s grandparents with stickers, markers, and glue, and don’t forget to make a batch of homemade brownies, cut out in heart shapes.
Follow this recipe for Cupids Best Brownies at Kraftcanada.com
http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/cupids-best-brownies-90252.aspx
Celebrate in love!
Carla O'Reilly
Author & Inspirational Speaker
Sunday, January 31, 2010
A Parent's Love is Eternal
The greatest gift we receive as parents is watching how our undying love is mirrored in our children’s values. If your family has suffered with PPD, it is important to look on the experience as a learning tool. Remember how strong you became because you wanted to be healthy for your children. As we all strive for perfection, our goal should be to love our child to the best of our capabilities. Show love, speak love and create love. Establish traditions with your children that will bring fond memories as they grow. Lastly allow yourself to feel true happiness when you say, “I love you honey”, and they say I love you to mommy.” Together your bond is eternal.
Carla O'Reilly
Author & Inspirational Speaker
Carla O'Reilly
Author & Inspirational Speaker
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Earthly Angels!
My introduction to angels came in 2008, when I attended an informational session at the local library. I had the opportunity to meet with Bonnie Bogner, registered angel therapist. http://www.soulvibrations.ca. During my illness, my fears controlled my happiness and I forgot my ability to pray and ask for guidance and peace. Bonnie’s presence was ethereal, and I was instantly intrigued. I learned about thoughts of fear and thoughts of love and that all I had to do was ask my angels for help.
Reflecting back now I realized God was able to send me earthly angels throughout my journey. I know I was never really alone. While living in Oyen, I was blessed to live two doors down from a sweet loving Grandma. She welcomed me into her home and allowed me to share my illness; she loved my child like a grandson and always welcomed us into her home. We have stayed connected throughout the years and she encourages me to have faith in my beliefs.
In continuing with our gratitude theme, I suggest making a list of your own earthly angels who have come in when the world has gone out. I am sure you will find an endless list, make sure you connect with them, and nurture your relationships.
Carla O'Reilly
Author & Inspirational Speaker
Reflecting back now I realized God was able to send me earthly angels throughout my journey. I know I was never really alone. While living in Oyen, I was blessed to live two doors down from a sweet loving Grandma. She welcomed me into her home and allowed me to share my illness; she loved my child like a grandson and always welcomed us into her home. We have stayed connected throughout the years and she encourages me to have faith in my beliefs.
In continuing with our gratitude theme, I suggest making a list of your own earthly angels who have come in when the world has gone out. I am sure you will find an endless list, make sure you connect with them, and nurture your relationships.
Carla O'Reilly
Author & Inspirational Speaker
Thursday, January 14, 2010
21 Days to Spiritual Health-Gratitude!
Gratitude. Appreciation. A simple thank you that is heartfelt. All emotions of love from the heart. May 2010 be the year, that we make gratitude part of our everyday experience. When we wake up, thankful for the wonderful day that is about to unfold. When we go to bed, reflection and gratitude on the people, actions, circumstances, and events.
The challenge is to make gratitude a daily habit. They say habits take 21 days to ingrain. For the next twenty-one days, lets try to keep a gratitude journal, listing three things every day we are grateful and appreciative of. Lets see what will happen?????
Maybe, just maybe, life might get a little lighter, a little bit more enjoyable, a little bit more free or it may just sweep us up in a tidal wave of abundance that surrounds us. This could be an an exercise, performed daily that consciously awakens each of us to the wonderful joy and beauty that surrounds us. Whether it is in our children, our friends, our work, or our homes. Yes, we have many a thing to be thankful and grateful for.
We three have made a commitment to create a gratitude habit. In the process, we have found another habit - one of happiness and contentment. Think about, try it, what do you have to lose? You have a lot to gain!
Tania Bird
Author & Inspirational Speaker
The challenge is to make gratitude a daily habit. They say habits take 21 days to ingrain. For the next twenty-one days, lets try to keep a gratitude journal, listing three things every day we are grateful and appreciative of. Lets see what will happen?????
Maybe, just maybe, life might get a little lighter, a little bit more enjoyable, a little bit more free or it may just sweep us up in a tidal wave of abundance that surrounds us. This could be an an exercise, performed daily that consciously awakens each of us to the wonderful joy and beauty that surrounds us. Whether it is in our children, our friends, our work, or our homes. Yes, we have many a thing to be thankful and grateful for.
We three have made a commitment to create a gratitude habit. In the process, we have found another habit - one of happiness and contentment. Think about, try it, what do you have to lose? You have a lot to gain!
Tania Bird
Author & Inspirational Speaker
Saturday, January 9, 2010
2010 is Going to be about more Positive Change!
Dear Ambassadors,
We would graciously like to thank you for your tremendous support in the past two years! Your belief in our mission to create awareness, acceptance and assistance for women and men struggling with Postpartum Depression (PPD) has brought forth a widespread healing vibration, encouraging changes in our health care system, and providing increased initiatives both, provincially and federally. As reflected in 2009, we made many positive connections with mothers and fathers, and in turn healed ourselves. In fact, many mothers have come forward to share their own stories of hope and healing at http://www.thesmilingmask.com/page/showcasing_stories . We thoroughly encourage fathers to share their especially compelling stories.
Our goal for 2010 is to continue to destroy the stigma of PPD by promoting the four"E"s: Education, Encouragement, Empowerment, and Empathy. A very powerful, yet, simplistic strategy to ensure a healthy mother, healthy family and healthy community! We want to continue to spread our message, not only to PPD sufferers, but to anyone who is suffering from depression and anxiety, who is riddled with pain, guilt, shame or sadness. You always have the power of choice and the ability to pivot your thoughts and choose to heal. And...that first step is to know it's your birthright to ask for help!
We are also proud to acknowledge the heart and care demonstrated by the health care providers and mothers who attended, listened and formed the"Call for Action" regarding further education and support for families struggling with PPD. The "Call for Action" has now been included in and our team has been invited to participate in the newly formed provincial working group, "Maternal Mental Health: Building Capacity in Saskatchewan." This group was created by Dr. Angela Bowen of theUniversity of Saskatchewan to propel policy change! More information will be sent out, soon.
We would love to hear from you at to share your own stories of healing, or how you have helped someone else struggling with depression, or if you could simply use a shoulder to lean on.
And, if you have missed us, please take a moment to listen to our stories of healing showcased at the successful “2009 Unmasking Postpartum Depression”conference, held in Regina, SK athttp://www.thesmilingmask.com/page/what_to_do_-_what_worked_for_them_guide!
With immense Gratitude!
Carla O’Reilly, Elita Paterson & Tania Bird
www.thesmilingmask.com
We would graciously like to thank you for your tremendous support in the past two years! Your belief in our mission to create awareness, acceptance and assistance for women and men struggling with Postpartum Depression (PPD) has brought forth a widespread healing vibration, encouraging changes in our health care system, and providing increased initiatives both, provincially and federally. As reflected in 2009, we made many positive connections with mothers and fathers, and in turn healed ourselves. In fact, many mothers have come forward to share their own stories of hope and healing at http://www.thesmilingmask.com/page/showcasing_stories . We thoroughly encourage fathers to share their especially compelling stories.
Our goal for 2010 is to continue to destroy the stigma of PPD by promoting the four"E"s: Education, Encouragement, Empowerment, and Empathy. A very powerful, yet, simplistic strategy to ensure a healthy mother, healthy family and healthy community! We want to continue to spread our message, not only to PPD sufferers, but to anyone who is suffering from depression and anxiety, who is riddled with pain, guilt, shame or sadness. You always have the power of choice and the ability to pivot your thoughts and choose to heal. And...that first step is to know it's your birthright to ask for help!
We are also proud to acknowledge the heart and care demonstrated by the health care providers and mothers who attended, listened and formed the"Call for Action" regarding further education and support for families struggling with PPD. The "Call for Action" has now been included in and our team has been invited to participate in the newly formed provincial working group, "Maternal Mental Health: Building Capacity in Saskatchewan." This group was created by Dr. Angela Bowen of theUniversity of Saskatchewan to propel policy change! More information will be sent out, soon.
We would love to hear from you at
And, if you have missed us, please take a moment to listen to our stories of healing showcased at the successful “2009 Unmasking Postpartum Depression”conference, held in Regina, SK athttp://www.thesmilingmask.com/page/what_to_do_-_what_worked_for_them_guide!
With immense Gratitude!
Carla O’Reilly, Elita Paterson & Tania Bird
www.thesmilingmask.com
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