Campfires and Doritos
…Yes, people and bad ideas need to be challenged, but change can only happen if we can listen to one another. I'm not naive to how difficult a task this is- but nothing worthwhile is easy. We have to try. One campfire and one bag of Doritos at a time!
Are You Happy? Part III: Solo in Scotland
Yes, traveling alone is great; I'll still do it from time to time-but have you tried being on a journey with people? That's way better. You need your family; you need your friends, and you need your coworkers. Humans are meant to live in tribes. That's how we thrive…
Are You Happy? Part II
Am I in the right job?
Did I pick the right career?
Would it have been better had I moved to another city?
Did I make a mistake in turning down that opportunity?
If I could go back in time, what would I change?
How do I feel about these questions?
Are You Happy?
Are you happy? It should be an easy question to answer—either yes or no. Simple!
Here's why I struggle to answer that question.
Don’t Be Cheap!
There is nothing good about making it difficult for people to put food on their table.
Umuganda- A Beautiful Word
I have to support change at the grassroots. I know community is a noun, but I feel like it should be a verb.
Statues and Status
Once upon a time, I wanted to be a history maker—a hero—someone who did extraordinary things. Maybe you can relate and remember what it was like when you were told by very well-meaning people that you could do anything if you put your mind to it. Like, be an astronaut, cure cancer or win the Stanley Cup.
Up In The Air
Up in the Air. All of these travelers are in-between spaces. They are not home, and they are not really at any destination. They all have one job; sit and enjoy the ride.
Insoucism
"n. The inability to decide how much sympathy your situation deserves, knowing that so many people have it far worse and others far better, that some people would need years of therapy to overcome what you have, while others would barely think to mention it in their diary that day."
Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows
Working in Pain
Tragedy never follows a schedule, and it never comes at a convenient time. You could be at work one day, and you get that call that forever changes your life. The workplace does have a role in supporting someone going through a painful chapter in their life. Life is hard, but we can do hard things with community support. You may know about a colleague's pain or not; either way, be kind. Here's my story.
My Favorite Planet
I don’t have much wisdom or insights to offer on Earth day. This really is not an area of expertise for me. What I will say is this, we live on a really cool planet. I’m willing to do the work to figure out how we can get better at living on it. Here are some photos I’ve taken over the years of places I hope you’ll get to visit one day if you have not already. Enjoy!
On Your Worst Day
I think it’s important that we also take the time to recognize that in some circumstances, defeat is inevitable and we need to reckon with it. You can be a great leader and still lose. As a person of faith, this memory is appropriate on Good Friday. I hope it is for you as well.
Why I Bought A Gun
"Hey buddy, how was school today?" I ask my son as he gets into the car. At the time, my son was in Kindergarten, and I have expected him to tell me about a station he enjoyed playing at or something funny, one of his friends said.
"Good, Dad, we had a lockdown drill today."
Smoky Kashmiri Spiced Wings
Hey, so in the spirit of my last post; I’m going to put myself out there a bit and share a recipe. This is a bit of a break from my usual content, but this is also a blog about hospitality and I can think of no better snack to share with guests when they come over for a visit. Hope you give these a try.
Yes… Take that chance
Lessons here, listen to your wife and swing for the fence. If you enjoy doing something, share your talent. Take that chance!
Making Space
In light of the attack that occurred on Friday at the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in Mississauga, I’d like to share a story I wrote nearly seven years ago. I realize there is an ongoing investigation taking place, so I don’t want to pretend I understand the entire context. However, violence like this experienced by some in the Muslim community is a reminder that we have a lot of work to do. I believe the story I’d like to share here represents the Canada we need to become.
Fight Like Heaven
There is a different phrase we could use. It's not as marketable as "Fight like Hell," but I think it has the power to make a difference. Let's try "Let's fight like Heaven."
There Are No Extras
Years ago, I was in Juarez, Mexico, along the Rio Grande and the US and Mexican border. While I was there, I took a photo of the area, and as I snapped the photo, something unintended happened…
The Picard Maneuvers
If you were to ask me which leader I admire the most, I might surprise you because, without a doubt, the leader I aspire to be is fictional. Of all the leaders I aspire to be like, it is Jean-Luc Picard , Captain of the starship Enterprise…