Unclench and enjoy the simple pleasures

June 28, 2023 · 0 Comments

Imagine this: a man and his dog, sitting on a sidewalk bench on a pleasant Saturday afternoon. The little pup, whose adventures in the real world are limited, stayed close by the man’s side, watching as each car and person passed by. It was a lot for the little one to take in.

The inhospitable land of spoiled milk and tainted honey

Most of us are products (offspring) of immigrants to this great country of ours. As home-grown Canadians, we have never known anything else but the bounty this land has given us. For those who are multi-generational, their ancestors likely toiled the land, built lives and families here in Ontario.

Beating the odds every single day

We in the western world have it all and yet we take much of it for granted. If you are a Boomer, you will have a better understanding and appreciation of things, mostly because you weren’t privileged, rich or spoiled. Many of our parents and grandparents were immigrants who came to Canada for a better life. My parents came here with a single suitcase. That, and a lot of hope.

Going ‘home’ through nostalgic lenses

There are plenty of songs, poems and quotes about the desire to “go home.” Sorry to say, it’s just not possible. We can never really go back home. Time is not very kind to us humans. If we could only freeze it, capture those special moments and hold on to them like the safety harness on a roller coaster.

Let’s remember to enjoy life as puppies do!

Dogs’ lives are too short. That’s really their only flaw. Dog owners know that once you have one, it’s hard to live without one. They are what they seem – curious, loving, mischievous, intelligent and well, crazy, at times. Sounds a lot like people.

Living a lie: The hypocrisy of land use

“We acknowledge that we are on the traditional territories of the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee and the Anishinaabe peoples, whose presence here continues to this day. We also would like to acknowledge that these are the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and to thank them and other Indigenous peoples for sharing this land with us.”

Post-pandemic mental health issues remain

What’s wrong with the current picture of our society? I’m talking about the big picture lens of society, which is plagued with problems, exacerbated by mental health issues. In our post-pandemic world, few are still talking about the COVID impacts – the loss, displacement, upheaval. The last virus has been handled, so let’s move on.

An ordinary or extraordinary life?

Roman emperor Augustus once said everyone wants to lead an extraordinary life. It seems humankind has been obsessed with the extraordinary. We’re afraid to be typical, normal or even humdrum. There is a Zen saying: “Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.”

A trip down memory lane brings mixed emotions

They say we shouldn’t dwell on the past. Nor should we ignore it. When it comes to family, regular trips down “memory lane” can be both enjoyable and reinvigorating.

Volunteers are the spokes of the community ‘wheel’

t’s been said that the world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers. That sentiment was evident last week as King Township recognized the efforts of citizens at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Night. Heralded as Mayor Pellegrini’s most favourite event of the year in King, local givers were in the spotlight, shining brightly.

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