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Is it time to graduate?
When we were kids, change was easy, and a natural part of growing up. Each summer we graduated from one school grade, and began the next one in fall. We started playing a sport in one league, and playedin that league until we were too old for it. Beginnings and endings were determined by our…
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You’ll Never Live Your Dream
Do you have a dream? We usually quite admire the folks do. Some people seem to be able to articulate quite clearly their life goal, and move resolutely towards it. I’ve never been one of those people. I’ve always been a little frustrated with myself for seeing too many options, each with their pros and…
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Thanks(by)giving
In his book, The Gift, Lewis Hyde dissects gift-giving based on ancient cultures with gift-giving rituals. One of the key things that makes a gift a gift in these cultures, is that the gift must be given away by their recipients. Ancient cultures understood that gifts weren’t given to be hoarded by the recipient, but…
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Your Great Story Starts With “One Day”
It snowed. It snowed! (It snowed last night…) Nothing changes the landscape and one’s perspective like a fresh blanket of white. Whether you respond by wanting to rush outside and play (like our three-year-old) or by counting the days toward spring (like every commuter), an obvious change in seasons is felt by everyone. It’s as…
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The Thing Jack Taught Us
When he tumbled down the hill, breaking his crown and fumbling his ego, he taught us all a lesson. If you’re running too quickly, if you feel like your legs can’t keep up, don’t try to be the tough guy. You don’t need to “man up” (whether or not you’re actually a man). It’s ok…
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Frankenstein’s Night
Here’s a Halloween tale: — The evening was crisp and the moon was bright The owls were just waking up for the night Our friend Frankenstein was swiping his phone His dwelling was empty and he felt quite alone Kids were out asking for tricks or for sweets Dressed up all in cardboard, facepaint and…
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The Small Things Have the Greatest Impact
Growing up, one of my uncles lived across the country. He’d visit maybe once each year. But for the short time I spent with him, he had a disproportionate impact on my childhood. It would start when he would arrive at our house. As we welcomed him in, he always seemed to just happen to…
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Diversity Makes the Soil Rich
Last weekend we visited Fort Whyte Alive, an environment education centre, home to wetlands and walking trails, a herd of bison, and thousands of geese this time of year. We learned about the prairie ecosystem, and how the prairie plants, wildlife and soil are intertwined, and essential to the health of our planet. We also…
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The Work is the Reward
Last week Todd Henry offered a great piece of advice from the Bhagavad Gita: “You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work.” Often we strive for some kind of success or reward, the fruit of our work. We think the work (whether it’s a day job or some other kind…
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Consider the Leaves
The sunrise this morning, in our corner of the world, was magical. For a brief moment, the sky turned pink. Taking the queue, the red leaves on our hedge and the neighbour’s maple tree began to shimmer like a million tiny lights. Seriously. They were glowing. Staring wide-eyed out the windows with our kids (because…
