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….
The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment. Pema Chodron, teacher, author For many of us dealing with life transitions, new beginnings can be strange and confusing – we fear them as much as we anticipate them. More often than not, there will be moments along our journey when filled…
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…
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…