The Secret to Being Yourself, by Michele D. Cameron
The Secret to Being Yourself, by Michele D. Cameron
On a vibrant and emotional day filled with connection and courage, Michele D. Cameron took to the stage and gave us a gift: her story. Her talk, “The Secret to Being Yourself,” was more than a keynote – it was an invitation to reflect, heal and thrive.
Who Is Michele D. Cameron?
Michele’s presence radiates authenticity. As someone who has faced trauma, battled depression, celebrated life in vivid colour (literally, at Toronto’s Caribana!), and emerged with wisdom to share, Michele offered us the kind of truth that only comes from living deeply and reflecting honestly. Her storytelling—raw, funny, painful, and empowering—reminded everyone in the room that the human experience is both messy and magnificent.
Five “I Am”s That Will Change Your Life
At the heart of Michele’s message is the “Five I Am Club”—a philosophy built from lived experience, resilience, and deep self-reflection. Here’s a look at what each “I Am” invites us to embrace:
1. I Am Free of Clutter
Not just about tidying up physical space—though that helps—this is about releasing mental, emotional, and even societal clutter that holds us back. Through a powerful, personal story she reminds us: what weighs on us must be acknowledged so it can be released.
2. I Am Worthy
This declaration goes far beyond affirmations—it’s a call to action. Michele emphasized the power of speaking to ourselves with love. She challenged us to recognize that our inner dialogue can either build bridges or destroy them. From self-doubt about her body growing up, to questioning her value in relationships and work, Michele shared how her journey taught her to rewrite the narrative: “I am enough. I am worthy. I deserve to be loved—especially by myself.”
3. I Am First on My List
After suffering a severe concussion, Michele was bedridden for five months. In the silence of that recovery, she discovered what so many of us often forget—we must listen to ourselves. When the world gets loud with opinions, and expectations crowd out intuition, centring ourselves becomes both an act of resistance and self-care.
4. I Am Thankful
Gratitude became Michele’s bridge from darkness to light. Moving from Regina to Saskatoon, she found herself lonely and eventually faced a quiet truth: she was depressed. In response, she started a gratitude practice. It wasn’t fancy—sometimes just whispering thanks under her breath—but it changed her outlook. Gratitude didn’t erase the hard parts of life, but it gave her strength to meet them with perspective and grace.
5. I Am Part of a Community
While not a formal part of the Five I Ams, this truth echoed throughout Michele’s talk. From inviting her father to cheer her on, to shouting out new friends like Sawyer, to listening intently to each person’s gratitude shared on colourful sticky notes—Michele reminded us that healing and growth happen best in community. Her partnership with COR, and the response of everyone in that room, is a beautiful reflection of what belonging really looks like.
The Power of Presence and Pause
Michele’s session wasn’t all talk. She invited us to pause, to breathe, to close our eyes and sit in silence. In a world full of noise, those moments of stillness were sacred. They allowed us to feel. To reflect. To connect.
A Wall of Gratitude, A Room of Light
The day ended with a collective act of love: each participant wrote down something they were grateful for and added it to a growing “Gratitude Wall.” It was a tapestry of hope—expressions of love, health, resilience, and connection. Michele read many of them aloud, weaving them into the warmth of the room.
Final Reflections
Michele D. Cameron reminded us of something we often forget: we are allowed to take up space. We are allowed to be tender. We are allowed to celebrate ourselves, even loudly. Her five “I Am”s are more than mantras—they’re a framework for living fully.
At COR, we believe in fostering the kind of spaces where voices like Michele’s can rise and be heard—where person-centered approaches and authentic relationships form the foundation of inclusive, caring communities. Michele embodies this philosophy with every word and every pause.
So today, ask yourself:
What’s your “I Am”?
What are you thankful for?
What story do you need to release?
Because the secret to being yourself isn’t really a secret at all—it’s just a series of small, brave choices to live truthfully, every single day.
