I would rather die of passion than boredom. Octave Mouret in Au Bonheur des Dames by Émile Zola Happy New Year! As 2018 unfolds, I wish everyone health, joy and prosperity. The last year for me was a transformative one, filled with travel, new friendships, and assorted challenges. Two pivotal moments stood out – one…
The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. Joseph Campbell This summer I challenged myself – I signed up for a stand-up comedy course. The course is Comedy Girl, an all-female stand-up class taught by seasoned performer and writer Dawn Whitwell. The Level 1 training at Comedy Bar was no walk in…
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. Picasso Creativity isn’t the exclusive domain of the Picassos or Mozarts of our world. In truth, we are all creatives and creative expression comes in all shapes and forms. Here are simple everyday activities we can all do…
The key to finding a happy balance in modern lives is simplicity. Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying In the profoundly moving New York Times essay My Own Life, neurologist and author Oliver Sacks recently revealed that he’s dying of terminal cancer. Referring to himself as “a man of vehement disposition, with…
A rare opportunity to travel to Indonesia has popped up for me. This trip couldn’t have come at a better time as I seek to reboot and rebalance my life. Before I head off on my adventure, I’d like to share with you one of my favourite poems by Shel Silverstein. What better way to…
It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech. Mark Twain For many of us, public speaking can be a nerve-racking experience. Literally placing ourselves, front and center stage for public scrutiny, rarely tops our fun-to-do list. My first time presenting a wellness seminar was just that – all butterflies and sweaty palms. Despite my…
It is never too late to be what you might have been. George Eliot, novelist I recently returned from a visit to Montreal, Quebec where I feasted on delicious French Canadian cuisine and meandered through the city’s art galleries and museums. The highlight of my art jaunt was the Chihuly exhibit on display at the Montreal…
Ask the child within to come out and play and you will meet with your genius. Robert R. Toth, artist, sculptor As a visual artist, I have experienced my share of creative blocks and the accompanying feelings of fear, self-doubt, and anxiety that can hijack any creative process. I can also recall far too many…
The world can rest easy in the knowledge that I have no aspirations or illusions of establishing a singing career beyond my shower stall. No, my American Idol moment came when I recently sat down to watch (for the first time) the reality television show. It was the show’s tenth season premier and the debut…