

Glad you found me at lifelong lessons reaching out. Experiences as a teacher, educator, consultant, and someone who lived through trauma, tragedy, illness, injury. I offer weekly blogs born from 35 plus years of weekly columns on the big topics: self-esteem, fear, pain, death, education. Please find something to help with life's misfortunes, ponder, feel better about yourself. Find purpose, lessons learned, as I pay it forward through books and blogs and sharing of life lessons learned.
Welcome!
WHO AM I?
Francene Gillis
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Am I really 67 years old? We are the lucky ones ...
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My body feels like it but not my mind. Anyone else feel that way? Age is relative.
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I refuse to see added years to learn, as old age.
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Welcome to Reaching Out, Lifelong Lessons Learned, and my journey
Educational Offferings
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Writer, teacher, educational consultant, columnist, The Inverness Oran 35+ years
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Author, A Rose in November, 1994, collection of true stories of overcoming adversity
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Teacher high school English Language Arts & Literature, 25 years, substituted longer
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Worked on provincial and national projects, had my own consulting business
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Involved in teaching youth, adult literacy, curriculum development
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Hope to sell high school lesson plans, offer training sessions and online workshops
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Teaching career ended with a serious concussion and whiplash in 2016
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My identity was left on the ground, disabled for eight years, still struggle with functional tasks
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Where Did i Go? a memoir plus, published, June 22, 2025 focuses on what I learned
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Seven other incredible stories will have you riveted to your seat
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You have to meet these phenomenal people and read how they overcame the unexpected
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In the Beat of the Heart, a caution ... life can change that quickly
BLOGS
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Intention of connecting and helping those who suffer, not feel so utterly alone
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Advocate for those without a voice, who lost their voice, too scared to speak
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Share my trauma and difficulties and how I fought to rise above
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Over and over, I reshaped my life into a mosaic of resilience, fortitude, and courage
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My purpose, make a meaningful difference in the lives of others through words
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I want to share lessons learned and pay it forward for any, and everyone who struggles
Inspiration & Mindset Rise Again
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We can rise again, with support, by looking after ourselves,
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silencing critical harsh voices
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Mindset determines how we choose to see misfortune
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Rainbows form after the rain, sunshine after dark clouds,
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and glorious sunsets in splendid tapestries allow us to rest and rise again.

One of my former students, Brett Matthews. He's so good! Give him a listen as he writes and sings about what's most important in life. I love young people and hope to promote and help them!







