The Context: We recently got a dog. It's not my first dog, and it took me a while to agree to get one when my daughter asked. If you have (or have had) a dog - you know many of the reasons why. One of the many reasons I didn't want another dog is the fur. It's everywhere! But because I …
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Happy Pride!
If you live in North America, June is Pride Month in many places. If you live in Toronto, this week is Pride Week – culminating in three parades on the weekend: the trans march, the dyke march and the Pride parade. Depending on your social location, this could mean a great deal to you, nothing …
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
Perspective is everything. We bump into this reality time and time again in communication with others: at work, at home, at school, in the community… As soon as we have more than one person in any situation, perspective is going to be a necessary component to consider. If we want to communicate …
“We Have to Act”
This week I'm reflecting on aspects of US President Biden's message last week after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvale on May 24, 2022, Texas where 19 school children and 2 teachers were killed. Makenna Lee Elrod Layla Salazar Maranda Mathis Nevaeh Bravo Jose …
Safer Spaces to Share
Last week, because of the mass shooting in Buffalo, we offered Listening/Sharing sessions for the employees of our US clients. These are meant as safer spaces for people to share and process the impact of such a traumatic event together. Because it was a racially motivated hate crime, we created …
The Hate we Learn
“Mom, why do people treat us like that?” My daughter asked me. She was in the room when I learned about the mass shooting and wanted to know what I was reacting to. I told her, and she sat there in a daze, devastated. I put my arm around here and said, “People are taught to …
First Language …what can it mean?
Nova Scotia has moved to recognize Mi’kmaw as the province's First Language. While this is not to be confused with an “official language” it is being hailed as an important step. Language and Identity Language is an important part of our identity. In many First Nations communities, the amount …
Letting Go
I’m not religious. But last year we were living with my child's grandparents, who are. One Sunday I realized that it wasn't the denomination or type of religion that was important, but the connection to Spirit. So I started listening to the sermon with them periodically, to see what I could …
The Power of an Apology
Last week, Pope Francis apologized to Canada’s Indigenous Peoples for the role of the Catholic Church in Canada’s Residential School system. Here is the excerpt that CBC included in their article. "I also feel shame ... sorrow and shame for the role that a number of Catholics, particularly those …
Lessons from a Slap
Maybe you have seen it, maybe you have heard about The Slap at the Oscars. “Everyone” seems to be talking about it. In fact it has overshadowed many amazing aspects and "wins" of the night, sadly. So, what I want to focus on here is what we can learn from it. While I don’t condone violence of …