Tomorrow is my high school reunion. Hard to believe all those years have gone by since high school. I was asked to pray a blessing for the meal, and so this morning during my run, I thought about the ways in which my life was blessed in my high school experience. A few stood out: …
An effective strategy for gangs.
David Kennedy, a researcher in New York has a simple plan to reduce gang crime by 50%. WOW! And it’s not putting people in jail. That doesn’t work. He was interviewed by CBC this morning. The plan, in a nutshell, is this: Reps from the local gangs are invited to a meeting (it’s not hard …
When God closes a door, He opens a window
Maria’s line from the Sound of Music has often intrigued me, sometimes frustrated me in its seeming naivete, and sometimes has me humbled with it’s truth. I was running along today listening to a podcast describing a couple’s adventure on a tandem bike. They biked hundred of miles across the country. He was blind, but …
Holding the complexities of life
I often learn more by watching, observation, and experience, than by hearing a principle being taught. This week I’ve watched and learned about the incredible ability to hold life’s experience in balance and tension. I’ve admired people as, several times this week, I’ve witnessed individuals being able to hold both tragedy, struggle, joy and delight …
Soothing
Dr. James Krahn, a Winnipeg physician, was speaking the other day to a group of people about how to deal with the awesome issues of life, including facing one’s death. He spoke about connecting with oneself, and being able to recognize anger in oneself, without actually becoming “Anger”…being able to speak for a part in …
Food for a hungry soul
The apple blossoms and tulips are blooming. Amazing how good they are for thirsty eyes that hunger for something all those months when our environement lacks color. They brighten the spirit, and bring a smile to the soul. Look in wonder at the beauty around you–and be restored.
Reach out and touch someone
My grandfather died last week. He was 96 (though the government insisted he was 97 because of a decades old administrative error)…a quiet man who was a laborer, a good man, one that his family cared about. He was practical–didn’t want to get a new warm jacket in his early 90’s even though he needed …
Osborne House–35 years strong
I was at Government House today to attend a reception celebrating the 35th anniversary of Osborne House. Osborne House is a women’s shelter providing a 24 hour crisis line and emergency short term housing for women experiencing domestic violence. The politicians gave wonderful and humourous speeches, the board chair gave a recount of the early …
Perspective 101 – as taught by Donald, age 7
So life has had a few more downs than ups lately–the most and recent obvious one is the rather large and purplish toe on the end of my left foot. The toe that doesn’t really bend–or at least without serious discomfort. The toe that is really a small part of my body, but was to …
Being Surprised by Joy
I woke up this morning prepared to grind through the day–an all day workshop with a meeting downtown that I needed to scramble to during the lunch break. I had a heaviness about me…a Friday that was going to be loooong (followed by an equally long Saturday at the workshop–no weekend for me). On top …