Commentary
Leave love and memories behind, not things
November 13, 2024 · 0 Comments
“Ooo, cookies!” I exclaimed to myself when I recently opened my lunch, lovingly prepared by my wife. Such is life’s simple pleasures sometimes. Not overly exciting or earth-shattering, but these tiny chocolate chip specimens brought a smile to my face.
It’s not about winning, just giving it a shot
“Not a winner.” “Please try again.” Messages like these are abundant as I check my lottery tickets each week. Lately, I feel they are personally directed right at me, and have some deeper meaning. Fran Lebowitz once observed that the chances of winning the lottery are identical, whether you play or not.
We need to douse the fuse of hatred
I don’t think most of us can ever understand the hate that’s been embedded in some cultures, religions and countries. Canada welcomes everyone of all ethnicities and countries of origin. We are considered a “cultural mosaic,” unlike the American “melting pot.”
Playing my own personal version of Jenga
There are days when I feel like I’m playing life-size Jenga with myself. Each new piece added to the top makes the structure unsteady, ready to topple. Maybe it’s the change of seasons and the chilly weather descending upon us. Maybe it’s a case of transition, moving forward yet being somewhat stuck.
Someone should do something about this!
Someone should really do something about this! I’ve heard this phrase so often throughout my life that it’s almost synonymous with the human condition. Yes, they should. But just who is this “someone?”
A little bit of hope is a powerful thing
A well known prayer asks the Good Lord to give us the strength to accept things we cannot change. Let’s not forget about hope. It’s been said that we should try to take more out of life than it takes out of us. John F. Kennedy once said: “We should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes.”
Pay attention to litany of harmful food additives
We are what we eat, has been our catch phrase for generations. And yes, what we put in our mouths and bellies is more important today than ever before. Unfortunately, the list of additives on our food packages continues to grow, leaving us scratching our heads. These substances may also be making us sick, and ultimately shortening our lifespans.
Sometimes ‘doing nothing’ is something
“Il dolce far niente” is an Italian phrase, and philosophy, that roughly translates as “the sweetness of doing nothing.” To them, it can mean having a cup of coffee with a friend, heading to the beach or sitting idly on a bench watching people go by. The Dutch call it “niksen,” literally doing nothing or being idle. They embrace the idea of sitting in a chair and just looking out a window.
Car ownership comes with a hefty cost
In 2021, there were an estimated 11 million licensed drivers in Ontario, representing 72.3% of a total population of 15.2 million. There were 9.5 million registered motor vehicles (Ontario Ministry of Transportation, 2022). We have a serious dependency on vehicles and this has created our biggest love-hate relationship. They say when you’re in motion, you’re bound to collide with something eventually.
Males shouldn’t ignore prostate health
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer – and third leading cause of cancer death – among Canadian males. That should set off some alarm bells. It’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (PCAM) at The Canadian Cancer Society. It’s something all husbands, fathers, brothers, uncles and even sons should take notice of.
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