Deri's Blogs

Smile; and the World Smiles WITH You!

I have always been fascinated at this time of year.? People are generally pretty happy as the holiday season approaches; although we are busy, we tent to more often smile at each other and wish each other a ?Merry? this or a ?Happy? that.? Have you noticed that when someone smiles at you, the urge to smile back is irresistable?? Really, it?IS irresistable!

I recently read about the latest discovery in Neuroscience; the presence of mirror neurons.? Mirror neurons are exactly what makes a smile from someone irresistable; when you see a smile, your mirror neurons engage and you smile back.? Of course, the same is also true.? Seeing a frown, inspires a frown back.

There is something else that is interesting about this discovery of mirror neurons, and about what we have discovered lately about social intelligence (and how we catch each other?s emotions, just like we catch colds from each other).? When you see someone else smile, and you smile back; the muscles you use in your face to smile signal to your brain that you feel good?and you start to feel good.

Try an experiment.? Head out to do your usual chores.? Then, smile?regularly.? What do you notice?? I?ll bet you notice MANY smiles back at you!? You will definitely feel better; and guess what, you will have a role in others feeling better too!? No better gift, I think, at this time of year!!

Happy New Year!!

What Clients Say...

“Deri, you are the best! Not a dull moment and the time went too fast!”
Linda Borbridge, Manager, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
“I’m often asked to recommend a professional speaker who will captivate and motivate, and without hesitation Deri Latimer comes to mind. Deri has a reputation for a no-nonsense, energetic, synergistic approach. Her cutting-edge sessions are the perfect combination of science and inspiration and will have you moving into a new groove.”
Dr. Lewena Bayer, CEO, Civility Experts Inc.
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Joseph Bork, Program Director, St. Mary’s University
“I am usually the type to sit in the crowd, quietly take it all in, and take notes, notes that end up in a binder, often never to be seen once I return to work. Deri was engaging, fun and as real as they get. I was so moved by her session that I shocked myself by approaching her after the session to chat. During the session I didn’t need to take notes because her concepts hit home and stuck with me. I have already taken her advice and acted on her tips and tools to be more positive. Her positivity is contagious and her message is one that everyone should take time to listen to.”
Amy Normal, VP, Corporate Services, Said Business School, University of Oxford
“I had the privilege of hearing Deri keynote at our conference. She captivates, motivates, and positively engages an audience with her unique combination of wisdom about neuroscience and positive behaviors that can be life changing when put into action. I would recommend her without any reservation for those seeking a speaker who can move an audience – from associates on a manufacturing floor to members of an executive leadership team – into action. Her takeaways are designed for positive impact. Prepare to laugh, to be curious, to be hungry for more time to listen to Deri.”
Vickie Maris, Host, Agile Digital Business
“Deri, your seminar truly resonated with our team. You took the time to learn about our roles, our challenges and opportunities and created an inspiring and motivating seminar just for us and made an impact with every person there. Having your book to use as a tool in our day-to-day has also been very valuable and has enhanced the results we got out of the time with you. We all hope that we will see you again at the next conference!”
Chantelle Arsenault, GBA, Great West Life Assurance Company of Canada
“It was an absolute pleasure to have Deri speak at our AGM. Deri brought an amazing level of passion and energy as she engaged our members with her talk on growth mindset. If you are looking for a speaker to connect with your audience, I would highly recommend that you reach out to Deri. Thank you, Deri – we were lucky to have you!”
Rob Chester, Director Information Security, Wawanesa Insurance
“A wonderfully authentic speaker with an infectious positive energy, Deri takes the crowd back to the roots of inspiration by sparking something within the humanity of the people in the room. Her fantastic sense of humor and knowledgeable way of integrating experiential learning opportunities into an inspirational message makes her a speaker not to miss!”
Ashley Collette, Social Work Officer, Canadian Armed Forces
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Derek Rumboldt-Delouche, Director, Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
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Barb Spurway, Principal Consultant, Protegra
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Sarah Marshall, President, Canadian Physiotherapy Association
“You changed people.”
Michelle Kletke, Human Resources Manager, TNG, Jim Pattison Group