Today I want to talk about the importance of life, both the lives of others as well as your own life. What provokes me to write on this topic is the tragic death last week of a young man who was driving his truck on the road’s shoulder while trying to pass a left-turning...
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Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American philosopher, lecturer, essayist and poet who lived from 1803-1882. One of the most often quoted speakers and writers of all time, he described success this way: “To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a...
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As a columnist, I always enjoy getting feedback. Even when the reaction leans towards negative, it tells me that at least people are reading. If no one is reading or interested in the insights I try to share in my column, why would I want to write? Also, readers have to realize that as...
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I went into a retail store on the weekend and in my usual way, offered an upbeat greeting to the young fellow at the cash register. ‘How are you today?’ I cheerfully asked. His answer was anything but what I might have expected though… “I feel stuck,” he gloomily responded, saying this with the...
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There are two parts to a conversation – speaking and listening. Since most of us are better at the speaking part, I want to focus on how we actually listen to others during our conversations. I’ll start with a question: if I said to you “listening is a _______”, what would be the most...
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“Human Communication: The Basics” While in Toronto this past week – end, I stopped at a lounge called Arizona’s. I was surprised, when looking around, to see so many young people sitting at tables in groups of three or four, but not really talking with one another. Instead, they all had their heads down...
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You hear every Christmas that it’s better to give than to receive. I think a lot of us believe that old saying and try to put it into practice during the holiday season. Sometimes though, the focus on giving is not as apparent the rest of the year, and I think that’s quite a...
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I got some inspiration on this week’s topic while going into a Phoenix Target store the morning of my return flight. While entering, there were a number of cashiers at their stations waiting for their first customers of the day. One cashier in particular got my immediate attention – a young man, about 30...
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Today’s column is being written while I’m sitting at the Phoenix airport en route to an Association meeting in Vancouver. Not to worry, I’ll be able to get back to my vacation in just two days! An advantage to getting to your departure gate early when travelling ‘solo’ is that you have a lot...
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Lately in the Fort Saskatchewan area, we’re hearing a lot about the senseless act of vandalism. Other communities are going through the same thing; in Edmonton for example, a number of churches had their windows smashed in the past week. The thought of that really saddened me since so often I have sat in...
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