Robyn McCorquodale: Blog

The Vancouver competition, “What I’d Do To Win Tickets To The Playoffs” is over, and guess what? I didn’t win. It doesn’t matter because a prize much grander than two tickets to a game, yes even an NHL Playoffs game, has come into my life again.

How many times have I said that I love Vancouver BUT I wish the culture here were just a little more about “the arts” and a little less about “Hockey Night In Canada”.

While this sentiment remains true, it is also true that I am over the moon excited about the game(s) remaining with the Boston Bruins and the possibility of the Vancouver Canucks winning the Stanley Cup.

Living a life of music and travel removed me from Canuck culture the last several years, but I reconnected with my city and our Canadian national sport during last year’s Winter Olympics. I had never experienced National unity as I did during Vancouver2010, and no one could argue that the Olympic fever peaked on the final day with our victorious hockey game between Team Canada and Team USA. I watched the game from The Sylvia Hotel in Vancouver’s West End and experienced an amazing celebration. I was part of a gathering of connectedness, fans acknowledging excellence, immense joy reaching newsworthy heights. It was one big love-in that continued to explode on to the streets until long after the game was over. Walls of divide tumbling down as people from every demographic joined in good cheer and fun. Vancouverites, British Columbians, Canadians from across all ten provinces and three territories, together with people from around the world, all engaged and united by the spirit of excellence. I had never experienced such collective enthusiasm, being surrounded by such amazing positive energy.

So here we are today, now heading into the final game(s) of the NHL Playoffs. Vancouver and Boston players and fans primed for victory, as well as people from around the world captivated, cheering for their favourite team. A global connection feeding an immense energy and vice versa. At the core of this magnetic enthusiasm, what brought us all to this very moment, is the talent, focus, skill, drive, hard work, tenacity and everything else that went into bringing two teams together in this final round of competition. The same talent, focus, skill, drive, hard work, tenacity and everything else that goes into reaching any goals in life.

Whether you’re a Canucks fan or are cheering for the Bruins, the ultimate prize for everyone to win here is to experience unity and witness excellence, which I can personally say, is a tremendous gift that uplifts, empowers and motivates me to raise my own bar and set new goals.

With new inspiration to write my next album, let The Spirit of Excellence raise us all up to our peak performance and ultimate success. And in the meantime, "GO CANUCKS GO"!