We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. Kenji Miyazawa Dear Mom, It’s hard to say goodbye. It’s hard for me to believe that you’re actually gone. I still expect to see you enter the room or to hear your voice when the phone rings. Your passing has affected me deeply…more…
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…
I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive. Joseph Campbell Not long ago I celebrated my birthday, an event made more memorable by my friendly neighbourhood drugstore, which announced that as a “young senior,” I now qualified for a special…
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…
Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. William Morris, designer, poet, novelist I recently returned from British Columbia where I joined my siblings in packing up our childhood home. My parents had sold their house and we faced the seemingly herculean task of sifting…
The moment you wake up, right away, you can smile….You are aware that a new day is beginning, that life is offering you twenty-four brand new hours to live, and that that’s the most precious of gifts. Thich Nhat Hanh The tune It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And…
Smile, breathe and go slowly. Thích Nhất Hạnh “Where’s the fire?” a friend asked good-naturedly as I hastily said goodbye and bolted out the door. Bolting out-of-doors had become the norm with me of late. Several weeks ago, I did not exercise good judgement on a particular project, simply because I was in a hurry….
In chaos there is fertility. Anais Nin, novelist The first leg in our journey of transition was about “letting go” and just when we thought nothing could be tougher than saying goodbye, we find ourselves in still murkier waters. Welcome to the second leg of our transition process, “redefining ourselves” or what change management expert, William…
The only way to make sense of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. Alan Watts, philosopher, writer The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus famously observed that the only constant is change and that life is a rapid river, perpetually flowing, churning and transforming. When challenged by change in…
freak flag n. A characteristic, mannerism or appearance of a person, either subtle or overt, which implies unique, eccentric, creative, adventurous or unconventional thinking. Urban Dictionary My freak flag has been flying since day one. I had always been the “odd duck” of the family. I was the child repeatedly reprimanded by her schoolteachers for…