Recently, my adult son and I experienced some tension in our relationship over decisions he was making that directly affected me. I have to say that we butted heads for some time until I began to think more deeply about my role the dynamic we where creating. Like most parents, I still worry about my …
Genuine Life
Over the holiday season and into this new year, we endured a bitter cold snap here in Ottawa. The temperatures were punishing, especially on windy nights, with lows approaching -30C. But still there were brave souls who ventured out into the worst of it. My house backs on to a local park which is home …
What a gift it is to experience a shift in our perception, to suddenly see the beauty in something that used to seem less than lovely. I walked into my studio today and I saw a piece I’ve been working on over the last few weeks. I created the sculpture 25 years ago, and lately …
Do you ever notice yourself getting defensive? Here’s how I’ve seen it work in myself and others: Someone in either a social or a professional setting says something we perceive as critical. Maybe they feel we were taking the floor too often or directing a group too much. Maybe it’s not even a critical comment, …
In our time of accelerated technological growth, it seems we’ve come to prize innovation above almost everything else, even in non-technological realms. I was recently reminded that striking a balance between bold innovation and existing wisdom is essential for organizational changes to succeed. This helpful reminder came to me at a community meeting, where we …
Lately I’ve been cultivating boredom. If someone had told me when I was eight years old that one day I’d make myself bored on purpose, I’d have laughed at them. I could never understand why my mother always said that being bored is good for you. When I came of age, though, I saw how …
A bronze sculpture I was commissioned to create was unveiled recently, and reading various reactions on social media opened my eyes to something I need to work on. The response to this public art piece has been largely very positive—and I’m grateful—but there have been a few negative comments….and I’ve found myself dwelling on these. …
How do we deal with thoughts and emotions we experience as we witness world events? Do we become bystanders and hope for the best, or do we find our voice through expression and action?
I had a tantrum the other day. It wasn’t terribly long, but it was a surprisingly intense meltdown. The person at whom I was raging said, afterward, “Oh, so you’re actually human!” Yes, I’m human, but this behaviour isn’t like me at all! I am generally level and calm around others and no, I don’t …