Commentary

Taking a look at our purpose in life

March 12, 2025   ·   0 Comments

My oldest daughter, as an offshoot of her own spiritual journey, asked me to reflect on a series of questions to help me “heal.” “What do you think is your purpose in life, and how do you want to fulfill this purpose?” Wow. We all have a raison d’etre I suppose, but one’s real, true purpose may be elusive. How do we know why we’re here on earth? Some say there’s a plan, it’s just not revealed to us very often, if at all.

Democratic principles even more important today

Ontarians just had a chance to exercise their privilege of voting in last week’s provincial election. Like the outcome or not, we are lucky that our system allows for, and even encourages, our input and participation. Believe it or not, our politicians want us to be engaged. We have a bit of a love-hate relationship with democracy but now, more than ever, our democratic principles are vitally important.

Are we all more closely connected than we think?

tuck in our own heads, it’s easy to get distracted by our self-centredness. To us, and our brains, we are all that really matters. Everything else is just a bonus.

Are we accidental-like or is there more to this?

“By the grace of God, I am what I am.” Think about this for a moment. The odds of any one of us being here today is roughy one in 400 quadrillion. Sheer chance, or by the grace of a supreme deity?

Why ‘doing nothing’ just isn’t an option

We are reminded, time and again, to use our time wisely while we’re running around on this planet. We should make the most out of every day, every hour in fact. And yet, there are days, maybe even weeks, when we are struggling, and resort to just doing nothing at all.

We should celebrate our very existence

I have a good story to tell. It’s not just my story. It may not be impressive, but it’s like many others out there – all of us in fact. Experts estimate that the odds of my (our) existence today is roughly one in 400 quadrillion. Yes, that’s a huge number – approximately the volume in cubic metres of the Atlantic Ocean. A Buddhist version of our existence notes that if there was just one life preserver floating around the ocean and only one turtle in the water, our odds would be the same as that turtle sticking its head out in exactly the centre of that preserver.

Every day is a challenge for many

For those who are suffering – from any kind of illness – every day is a challenge. It takes every ounce of strength just to get out of bed, go through the motions, only to sink back into your pillow at night with a sense of indifference, even dread. We put on a brave face – for our friends and loved ones. When asked how we are doing, we mutter something like “okay.”

Courage, fortitude needed to face the year ahead

Jan. 1 was like any other Wednesday, other than it was a day off. It was a day to reflect, ponder and look ahead, because looking back was no longer an option. Like a “bridge over troubled water,” I had been weary, feeling small, with tears in my eyes. There were multiple times in the past year when I simply had “to lay me down.”

Humour makes my world go ‘round

While I’m nowhere near the comedic talent of one of the most talented men on the planet, I am a funny guy. That’s funny haha not funny strange. Okay … Jorge Garcia once said that mixing humour and harsh reality is a very human behaviour – “it’s the way people stay sane in their daily lives.”

Knowledge isn’t enough to advance our species

Knowledge itself is power, and it’s also not free – you have to pay attention! Adam Growe, Canadian comedian and host of the TV quiz show Cash Cab, is my companion on quiet Sunday mornings. I cheer for the contestants and celebrate my own knowledge of general trivia.

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