Changing My Mind

I have just finished reading Margaret Trudeau's Autobiography titled "Changing My Mind". It was recommended to me by my pal Kim Berube and without much thought I picked it up.
As I chatted with my dad one evening I mentioned that I was reading this book and got to listen to a 5 minute rant on why Pierre Trudeau was bad for Canada and bad for Alberta. Breath dad... it's just a book.

Now considering I am in my early 30's I do not have a memory of the years that Pierre governed Canada and whether good or bad I think we need to learn from the past and from others in order to improve our country and ourselves. Back to the book.

It was not what I had expected (pleasantly). I need to say that I now have a lot of respect for Margaret for sharing her journey of mental illness and I have compassion for her children for what they went to over the years.


10 things about Margaret that are worth mentioning

1. Born and raised in Vancouver
2. Was a "drama queen to say the least"
3.Her life's motto was "Passion over Reason" Pierre's was "Reason over Passion"
4. She was a flower child in every sense of the word - sex, drugs & rock and roll
5. She has battled bi polar disorder her whole adult life
6. Was crucified by the media
7. Margaret was 28 years younger than her first husband Pierre
8. She was the mother of 5 children
9. Her son Michel passed away tragically in an avalanche in November 1998
10. She now works with WaterCan. A registered charity dedicated to providing clean water to the worlds poorest people.

These are just a few highlights of the book. I encourage you (regardless of political party preference) to have a read and open your mind to the idea of mental illness and what it means for the person living it everyday. For those that suffer everyday with bi polar disorder and your families, I hope that this book can be a source of inspiration and strength as you continue with your journey .