Dick O’Brien presents two wellness and inspirational workshops at the Algonquin Theatre on March 19

Do you want to prepare your children for the inevitable challenges and struggles they will face in their futures?

If the answer is yes to either question, then one or both of two inspirational workshops coming to the Algonquin Theatre on Wednesday, March 19 are certain to be of interest.

The two seminars are specifically designed to raise awareness, increase acceptance and spur on action and are presented by renowned inspirational speaker and human relations consultant Dick O’Brien.

His presentations are positive and uplifting while delivering key messages of moving through the challenges of life and focusing on what is truly important.

“Dick O’Brien is really entertaining and fun. He is an easy person to listen to and will make you laugh. (After the seminar) you will walk away thinking,” said Sandy Lockhart, parent education manager for Muskoka Family Focus, which is hosting the event.

The first workshop titled Being Well And Well Being begins at 12:30 p.m. In this inspiring and uplifting presentation, O’Brien shares practical tips and strategies for dealing with the ups, downs and occasional curves that life inevitably throws our way.

Life can be a challenge. Almost every day, we’re faced with a variety of conflicts, confrontations and otherwise stressful situations that can leave us feeling beaten up, broken down and just plain worn out. While we can’t always control events in the world around us, the good news is that we can learn how to face these challenges in a way that keeps us filled with energy, excitement and enthusiasm.

With O’Brien’s insight and wisdom you will learn how to create balance and foster a sense of optimism in your life.

At 7 p.m. O’Brien presents Raising Resilient Children, a workshop for parents caregivers and professionals that demonstrates principles of living and encourages a healthy, resilient and meaningful life.

Too often parents buffer their children from the reasonable and natural consequences of their own actions. Parents that overprotect or rescue their children rob them of the opportunity to develop a track record of success in dealing with the pitfalls of life. This often leaves a child without the self worth and problem solving skills necessary to function in society.

This presentation encourages children to respond to life by choice rather than react to life by chance.

Dick O’Brien has been a therapist and a trainer for 32 years. He has held senior management positions in government and business.

For the past 30 years, he has been assisting corporations, school boards, hospitals and police departments with issues of stress, wellness, counselling and leadership.

O’Brien received his bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Waterloo and continues to seek life lessons and wisdom from daily experiences.

He has been in the seminary, a truck driver, an elementary teacher, director of a heroin treatment centre, an alcoholism counsellor, a university instructor, a marriage counsellor and deputy superintendent of a juvenile corrections centre.

Nowadays, he conducts approximately 300 wellness and inspiration seminars a year.

 The ticket price for either seminar is $5 and  available  at the Algonquin Theatre box office on Main Street, by calling 789-4975, or online at www.algonquintheatre.ca.

The seminars are an integrated partnership project of the Muskoka Best Start Network. For more information on one of the many parenting workshops that are presented in the area, call Muskoka Family Focus at 645-3027.