The British Empire enslaved human beings, destroyed functioning states, destroyed economies, and imprisoned and killed countless people
The period of mourning after the death of Queen Elizabeth II was unprecedented. In my experience, the passing of an older person is followed by a celebration of life, where people gather to pay their respects and honour the positive legacy of a person who touched their lives. The legacy of the Queen was her…
When we broaden our perspective, we can see that there are heroes all around us
In his book The Game, Ken Dryden grappled with our tendency to put sports heroes on a pedestal, and draws attention to the need to value everyone. Having been a National Hockey League player, Dryden is aware that he and his colleagues are normal people. While gifted in their area of expertise, they are relatively…
The league has chosen to do things the right way, with tremendous integrity and a great product
Being a sports fan is interesting. There are certain teams and athletes to whom we willingly give the utmost devotion, and others we despise. Some sports we find thrilling, others are baffling, and some we just cannot connect with. I’ve always loved basketball, as a player, as a coach, and as a fan. There is…
As long as we remember that rewards are not only financial
A simple principle of work seems to have been forgotten by many: those who put in the extra effort are eventually well rewarded. As consumers, we know this is true. We prefer to spend our money where we will get good service and value and where we know that we are respected. Employees who say…
The next and most difficult step is to find positive solutions and build a better world
Comedy is like any art form; some of it is brilliant, and some of it is dehumanizing. What we consider funny reflects the culture of the time and can also reveal our deepest thoughts. Laughter is central to being human and therefore warrants a serious discussion. American comedian Sarah Silverman said, “Comedy puts light onto…
Fascism involves fear, unquestioning loyalty, intimidation, hatred of minorities, violence, and manipulation of democratic structures
It’s very odd to hear pundits on the far-right calling an FBI raid on Donald Trump’s private compound evidence of a “police state.” Usually, people on the left make such accusations toward agents of public order in the United States. What’s happening to the world? We no longer understand the difference between leadership and manipulation.…
While criticism may sometimes be necessary, it is much more important to feed each other’s need for love and appreciation
Saint Teresa of Calcutta said, “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” No matter who we are, we like to be appreciated. And being complimented can inspire us to greatness. As a teacher, I know how important it is to compliment students. Criticism quickly loses its effectiveness and…
We all need to continue to pressure Pope Francis and the Catholic hierarchy to rescind the Papal Bulls of Discovery
Self-development specialist Brian Tracy says, “People with clear, written goals accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could even imagine.” When I first read Call to Action 58 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, I thought it was an unrealistic pipe dream. It called on the Pope to…
The quest for meaning is the most important journey we will ever experience
Perhaps the most essential key to happiness is to find meaning in our lives. What’s meaningful depends on who each of us is as a person. Some find meaning in their families, others in their work, others by bearing the burdens of life with courage, and others find it in spiritual and artistic pursuits. Meaning…
We have to be able to engage respectfully with those who hold different opinions
The constant quest for truth is a fascinating journey. One of the most powerful truths ever stated was made by Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, who explained that there are only two races of people, the decent and the indecent, and they’re found in every group. I tend to lean to the left of the political…
The period of mourning after the death of Queen Elizabeth II was unprecedented. In my experience, the passing of an older person is followed by a celebration of life, where people gather to pay their respects and honour the positive legacy of a person who touched their lives. The legacy of the Queen was her…
