Commentary

Taking time to pause and ‘stop the world’

July 24, 2024   ·   0 Comments

The 1982 classic by Modern English broke the silence from my alarm clock the other day. “I’ll stop the world and melt with you … You’ve seen the difference … And it’s getting better all the time … There’s nothing you and I won’t do …”

Checking things off my bucket list

I never really thought of “bucket list” ideas until recently. I loved the 2007 movie of the same name starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Some say that’s where the term got its popularity and it’s tough to actually track down the origins of this saying. Simply put, it’s a list of the things that a person would like to do or achieve before they die.

Practice does much more than ‘make perfect’

We all know that the more we practice, the better we get at everything. Whether it’s athletic competition, mental agility or composing music, more is always better. So much so that “an ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching,” according to Gandhi. And Deepak Chopra noted “to think is to practice brain chemistry.” He’s right.

Connecting with nature is literally at your feet

It seems this connection with nature – with the Earth and everything it contains – is a two-way street. Khalil Gibran said the Earth itself “delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”

We could use some personal self-healing

Let’s face it, humans are frail creatures who suffer countless emotional and physical wounds in our lifetime. While these scars may not be our fault, our healing rests with us. Byron Katie once noted that a clear mind “heals everything that needs to be healed.” And the late, great Leonard Cohen said everything has a crack – “that’s how the light gets in.”

Seeking contentment and inner peace

I agree that we are all on a journey to mastering our inner peace. Unfortunately, I think the majority never find it. Some get fleeting, glorious moments of inner peace and then reality sinks in and you’re just a human being trying to make it through the day. According to one of my favourite sources – The Dalai Lama – true peace begins within oneself.

Missing my dad on Father’s Day

Boy, has a lot happened since you departed in 1998. Twenty-six years, 9,490 days. Untold events and memories.

Waiting in worry is an unhealthy pastime

Worry is like a worm eating the best parts of your favourite, freshly picked apple. He is satisfied, you are not. When we humans exchange pleasantries, we often wish someone good health. Without that, happiness is fleeting, maybe even non-existent.

Grant us the patience to endure the pain of waiting

Take it from me (and Bradley), waiting often sucks, big time. Some optimists say there’s always a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning, the start of a new day. Perhaps the magic, and the mystery of the universe, is waiting for us to become smarter, sharper.

We need to work together to end gender violence

Gender-based violence is on the rise in our country and it’s something that can’t be ignored. The stats are staggering and heart-breaking. I can’t understand this dark aspect of the human psyche. It can take physical and emotional forms, such as: name-calling, hitting, pushing, blocking, stalking/criminal harassment, rape, sexual assault, control, and manipulation. Many forms of this abuse are against the law. It can happen between people in romantic relationships. It can happen in families, at work, and between friends and acquaintances and strangers. It often occurs in private places between people who know each other.

Next Page »