Personal Growth

Some people seem to specialize in ineffective communication…About ten years ago, I was the communications expert on CBC Television’s Steven and Chris show. I held that position for two seasons, until one of the hosts tragically passed away. During that

The wrong place at the wrong time…Today is a very sad day for my wife and me, and I had no plan whatsoever to write this.The topic I’d originally chosen was quite different, but as I began writing, I felt

You don’t need motivation…nobody does.A lot of people’s complaints are universal. Why? Because we share so much with the rest of humanity.One of my brothers-in-law worked for the United Nations in Geneva and traveled the globe on their behalf. Wherever

Repetition is the mother of skill…When I was a rebellious teenager surrounded by a tribe of fellow pseudo-intellectuals, we measured our worth by the depth of our knowledge—especially when it came to music. That was our domain, our badge of

It’s freezing here in the Great White North, but I don’t mind.Why? Because Canada is the undisputed world leader in dealing with cold weather.Here, we’ve mastered the art of winter survival: double or triple-glazed windows, roaring fireplaces, electric heaters, snow

Cross-species communication fascinates me…Many of you know I’m an animal lover, especially when it comes to bull terriers, possums, crows, ravens, and most of all, cats. It amazes me how capable animals are of communicating with humans—often in ways that

Ever felt like the universe is winking at you?Synchronicity is one of those mysterious phenomena that seem to bring a sense of wonder to our everyday lives. Often described as “meaningful coincidences,” these experiences feel as though they’re happening for

It was the worst Christmas of my life…Let me start by saying this: Christmas is a big deal in my house. That might surprise people who assume I’m related to Howie Mandel and therefore must be Jewish.I’m not, but I

Use It, or Lose It…It was our first-ever Bengali meal, and I knew it would be fiery—spicy hot, much like Indian or Pakistani cuisine, or even a good Thai red curry.Toronto, according to the UN, is the most cosmopolitan and

It’s an interesting law…After spending a quarter of the year at our cabin on Bob Lake, near Minden, Ontario, I’m finally home again.We typically avoid going there in May or June because the insects are relentless. In May, it’s the