One of the things I love about Toronto is the energy that so many people put into working for the 'greater good'. Of course you find this in every city but I wanted to give a shout out to the recipients of this year's YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. 

Presented at a festive celebration at the Metro Convention Centre last Thursday evening (May 2nd), each award was preceded by a brief video honouring the woman's work.

Click here to have a look for yourself:…

A year ago, I had cancer.

The big scary word.

A small lump in my breast.

Mammogram.

Sonogram.

Needle biopsy.

Blood tests.

MRI

PET scan.…

Last Friday started out like any other day. Back over Labor Day we drove to Kansas and got ourselves a couple of puppies from a breeder. They are fox wire haired terriers. Fun dogs, usually pretty smart and generally not hard to train. It has been a challenge training two at once, but progress has been made. Part of the process has been to have my husband stop by at lunch time and take them out and give me a break.

So last week that is what took place. My husband came home. I…

When you have children, there is a good chance that as a parent, you might be interested in their education. I grew up in a family that was first generation immigrants. My grandparents were new to this country and while they were from somewhat humble backgrounds in Europe, they were not without some experiences and worldly aspirations. They came here to do it better, "it" being living. They were motivated by politics and opportunity. 

My parents had their own achievements. At the time…

I am writing this tonight because I need to share something. I found out a friend of mine, a cyber friend, lost their wife this past week. It was very sudden. It came on the heels of so much else, job loss, losing his home and now his wife suddenly passing.

I sit here in this decorated home, with so many presents waiting to be opened, children sleeping upstairs and dogs down for the night. I sit here thinking about my friend. We have never met but he and others were writers on…

Earlier this week, a friend I greatly respect shared a letter from her Shaman about the new era we entered into this week. I know, I already lost most of you the moment I said the word Shaman, and hey, I understand, I think I lost myself there too.

Being from the San Francisco bay area, I've had to deal with all kinds of crazy New Age things for most of my adult lifetime. Back in the 70's it was hard to go a couple of blocks without running into a bunch of crystals, or all…

Our first meeting at the farm. It did not take long to figure out a few names, Pooh Bear and Tigger. …

The positive power of writing, the power of reading, the positive power of thinking, are all minute parts of the universe.

The Center for Productive Longevity (CPL), which serves as the bridge between people 55 and older and the opportunities that enable them to continue in productive activities, today described “The 3 Important Ways to Defuse the Ticking Time Bomb of our Aging Workforce”. With 77 million people in the United States 55 and older, we are at a tipping point: we can either watch them sit on…

Over the past year I have been fortunate enough to spend time with my two aging parents. My mother is 88 and has stage four lung cancer, my father is 85 and has had numerous bouts with cancer and heart conditions.



I won’t say it has been easy, but I will say it has been an exceptional education in teaching myself compassion, and acceptance of a deeper understanding.



The really great aspect of their relationship is their willingness to live…

"Carimg, Sharing and Marrying," a poem about the spirit of this holiday season for me. A  wonderful caring thought.…

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling.



They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy’s tummy.



He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.



The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen.



In…

This is the fourth step of nine, on the path to happiness.



Step # 4) – How To Change One’s Beliefs



The pre-requisite to identifying one’s beliefs is to become rigorously honest with one’s self.

To begin with, ask yourself what it is you wish to achieve, in other words what’s your goal? It could be anything, from losing a few…

I am not exactly a media junkie, although I am pretty well connected with a Mac, an iPad and a new iPhone.  I don't tweet, I don't subscribe to RSS feeds, and I don't have my email connected to my phone bone.  Years ago, living in Santa Fe, I had cable for a little while.  With the cable came the watching of the news, most particularly CNN.  I was sucked in, mesmerized, and slowly becoming chronically despaired.  My evenings were filled with a mild sense of dread.  

W/hen I was in…

I wonder at times what it would be like to be born entirely conscious and aware, to have the capacity to know, reflect, see through the years of acquired wisdom.  Of course, this is the stuff of mythology, like Athena springing from her father's mind, and enlightened avatars being born totally aware and "on".  Our physical brain has few neural connections at birth.  It is the creation of these connections that occur over time that allow us to learn.   It is also why we are born so relatively…

Look like fun?

About to take a trip, I begin thinking about travel. Not the practical stuff of schedules, reservations and guide books, but the why of travel and the magic of it.

The magic of travel? I’m joking—you think! All we hope is to get…