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…
In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, in the expert’s mind there are few. Shunryu Suzuki Roshi Patience was never a particular strength of mine. As a child I was fidgety, and as a young woman I was always striving to get my ducks in a row and fixated on the destination rather than…
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…
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…
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…
All great changes are preceded by chaos. Deepak Chopra Not a day goes by that I don’t find myself chasing tiny balls of solder from various corners of our home, reminders of recent re-piping and renovation work. The need for re-piping had presented the ideal occasion to initiate much neglected and long deferred projects. For…
Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day. 17th century nursery rhyme, author unknown I hate the rain. This I know for a fact, as a British Columbia native I spent most of my school and working life in one of the rainiest cities in Canada. I recall one spring where it rained steadily for…
For anyone who has had to write a test, it is quite common to experience some anxiety. However, for some individuals, the feeling can be so intense that it interferes with memory, concentration and creates physical symptoms of illness. Here are 10 tips on how to prevent and reduce exam stress: Study for the exam. …
I am a self-described comic art geek. It has been a fascination of mine since childhood, and mystifies my mother to this day. Imagine her bewilderment when I had eschewed both law and medical schools for fine arts and a career in animated films. Fast forward twenty years and I am still a comic art…