May 19, 1984: an Edmonton Story
I enjoy watching the games, but more than anything, I love when our city comes together to celebrate. You don't have to be a sports fan to get into the spirit of things. Perfect strangers high-five each other on the street, and businesses will let staff wear Oiler Jerseys to work.
Finding a New Church
Last Sunday was Palm Sunday, the first Palm Sunday of my life where I did not have a church home to be at on a Sunday morning. My family and I have been searching for a new church home since the beginning of the year. At the end of 2022, the church we were connected with closed, and we are trying to find our place.
A Day Off With No Fried Chicken
Imagine a world where everyone could afford to take a day off. The only way this future could come about is if those who can afford to take two days off make it possible for everyone to have one. We would need to take only what we need and relearn how to live life.
Train Station on Fire!
…Through the dark, I focused my eyes to make sure I saw correctly, and sure enough, a group of people had lit a fire on the station platform. It wasn't a massive bonfire, but it was big enough that I could see large arcs of flame from about 50 yards away. I quickly scanned the area to see if a security officer could respond and take action. There was none present.
Good…And Lost
Good and lost are not words I would typically put together. They seem at odds with each other. For most people, feeling lost, displaced, and forgotten are not feelings we would seek out on our own. But inevitably, we all come to a place where the next steps are unknown. It could be the loss of a job, a loved one, a community, or even a dream.
Santa Rides ETS
Believing good people surround you will help you take risks, speak honestly, and do the right thing.
The Practice of Fear and Courage
I've let people down. There are times in my life when I've been a very well-practiced coward. On the other hand, there have been moments in my life when I've been courageous.
Hangry Community
…I get hangry. I eat a very early breakfast, and the result of this habit is that by 11:30, I'm starting to get hungry. If I haven't started to eat by noon, I'm ok, but I am now a ticking time bomb. By 12:30, I will be irritable if I have yet to have a bite to eat. In the tragic event that I have not eaten lunch by 1:00 PM, I am now a potential work hazard.
Happy Halloween!
Twenty years ago, a professor of mine asked a question in class that continues to revisit me at Halloween. "What is the most Christian thing to do at Halloween?"
A Night in the ER
Complaining is a straightforward exercise, and it doesn't require much effort. It comes easy for most of us. Our health care system is an easy target for our complaints. I'm not suggesting for a moment that we don't work towards improvements in our current system, but I'd rather take this opportunity to recognize the fantastic health care workers that serve in Alberta.
Give Peace a Like
Like many of you, I was embarrassed and angry to see what happened last weekend in Grand Prairie, where an individual verbally assaulted Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and her staff. Unfortunately, the man's conduct is an example of behavior in Alberta that's becoming far too common. Not just in Alberta but in Canada and around the world.
BBQ Heaven
What is heaven like? Well, friend, I think it's like an afternoon barbeque with everyone at the table. Experiences like this bring heaven to earth. The world would look so much better with open doors and full plates.
Campfires and Doritos
…Yes, people and bad ideas need to be challenged, but change can only happen if we can listen to one another. I'm not naive to how difficult a task this is- but nothing worthwhile is easy. We have to try. One campfire and one bag of Doritos at a time!
Are You Happy? Part III: Solo in Scotland
Yes, traveling alone is great; I'll still do it from time to time-but have you tried being on a journey with people? That's way better. You need your family; you need your friends, and you need your coworkers. Humans are meant to live in tribes. That's how we thrive…
Don’t Be Cheap!
There is nothing good about making it difficult for people to put food on their table.
Umuganda- A Beautiful Word
I have to support change at the grassroots. I know community is a noun, but I feel like it should be a verb.
Working in Pain
Tragedy never follows a schedule, and it never comes at a convenient time. You could be at work one day, and you get that call that forever changes your life. The workplace does have a role in supporting someone going through a painful chapter in their life. Life is hard, but we can do hard things with community support. You may know about a colleague's pain or not; either way, be kind. Here's my story.
Why I Bought A Gun
"Hey buddy, how was school today?" I ask my son as he gets into the car. At the time, my son was in Kindergarten, and I have expected him to tell me about a station he enjoyed playing at or something funny, one of his friends said.
"Good, Dad, we had a lockdown drill today."
Making Space
In light of the attack that occurred on Friday at the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in Mississauga, I’d like to share a story I wrote nearly seven years ago. I realize there is an ongoing investigation taking place, so I don’t want to pretend I understand the entire context. However, violence like this experienced by some in the Muslim community is a reminder that we have a lot of work to do. I believe the story I’d like to share here represents the Canada we need to become.
Pass the Mujadara
I'm an explorer at heart. My hope for you today is that if you have the chance to sit down and enjoy a meal and conversation with someone different from you, you seize the opportunity. The world will open up and become a bigger place.