All We Have is Us
Dreams, like plants, need to be nurtured where they are planted. We have the greatest opportunity to help bring the dreams of small business owners to life. We would be mistaken if we expected a flood of business to come in from other markets to help our local business grow. When it comes to cheering on our neighbors, all we have is us.
Picard And Pentecost
You cannot truly understand someone if you don't know their story. Language is often a carrier of culture and meaning. You have to listen to catch it.
Our Way In The Cold
There's a great deal of sadness, anger, and grief with the challenges around our more vulnerable neighbors here in the city. I feel sad, even just writing out the word neighbors. The word neighbor implies a relationship of acceptance and coexistence. The forced evacuation of these sites has proven that we have a lot of work ahead of us before we can say Edmonton is a neighborly city.
It’s ok. Make New Friends.
I transitioned away from full-time ministry 18 years ago this month and forged a new career in hospitality. After moving back home to Edmonton, I started my first job in a hotel. That first week was so awkward and scary for me. I
Keep Going, Keep Giving
Showing genuine hospitality is a constant test of character. It's a test because offering kindness, generosity, and care to someone doesn't always yield the desired results. You can walk into any human interaction with pure motives and still be attacked and misunderstood.
Be Unreasonable
After nearly two decades of working in hospitality and community, I've learned one thing: motivation is a non-renewable resource. There is often an infinite and unending demand for service. We only have so much energy to give, and it doesn't take long to give the little we have. We're only human.
He-Man, Barbies, and The Sound of Freedom
I was a classic child of the 1980s, and my Saturday mornings included watching Masters of the Universe, Droids, Ewoks, The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, and Pee Wee's Playhouse. This was normal for me and millions of other kids, except for one little caveat. Before church, my mom often said, "So, please don't bring up He-Man and the Masters of the Universe at church."
Less Afraid
There is a market for inspiring fear and anger. Yes, there is often cause for concern, but fear is paralyzing, and we need more people who are willing to make an investment in our collective courage.