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Tamara Doerksen

A Thanksgiving reflection on service and space

Published about 2 hours ago • 1 min read

A week I'm thankful for

This Thanksgiving, I'm feeling especially grateful and at peace. I've had a week that has given me plenty to be thankful for, both in the work I'm privileged to do and in my personal life.

Last Monday, I had the honour of presenting at Queen's Park, Ontario's provincial legislature, on Bill 119 alongside Lieutenant Mirna Dirani, bringing The Salvation Army's frontline perspective on supporting survivors of human trafficking. I'm grateful for how our team prepared for the deputation, how respectfully we were received across political parties, and how we kept survivors at the centre of everything we said.

Even a year ago, I couldn't have imagined being involved in this work at this level. I'm grateful I followed my curiosity and took those first steps, even without knowing where they might lead.

At home, I made some unexpected progress on my "Creating Space" project this weekend. I started out simply looking for clothes to take on my upcoming trip to Saskatchewan. Somehow, that snowballed into filling four large bags of clothing to donate to The Salvation Army and setting aside two more for Timea Nagy's new thrift store supporting survivors.

I hadn't planned to tackle that much, but it felt so good to let go of things I no longer needed. My surroundings are clearer, I feel like I can breathe a little easier, and I'm happy knowing those clothes will be useful to someone else.

As I reflect on this Thanksgiving weekend, I'm reminded how much can happen when we make room for the things that matter to us. Sometimes that means saying yes to an opportunity we never anticipated. Other times, it's as simple as finally clearing out a closet.

If you've been celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend, I hope you've had an opportunity to rest, room to breathe, and time to focus on what matters most to you.

With gratitude,

Tamara

P.S. I'm hopeful that Bill 119 will continue moving forward and that, with meaningful input from survivors and frontline organizations, it will make a real difference in the lives of those affected by human trafficking. I look forward to sharing updates as the legislation progresses, and I fully intend to be at Queen's Park to witness Bill 119 receive Royal Assent!

20 Allister Avenue, Toronto, ON M1M3K9
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Tamara Doerksen

Helping people follow purpose with courage and clarity.

I believe purpose isn't something you find once. It's something you continue to follow. Each week I share personal stories, honest reflections, and practical insights to help you navigate change, pursue meaningful work, and create a life that feels aligned with who you are. I'm also the co-host of the Rooted in Purpose with Jess + Tamara podcast.

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