I've found that no matter how well someone plans, no matter how consciously aware they are of their activities, there are always points in someone's life where the upcoming tasks can seem a little overwhelming.  I have a couple thoughts on that.

1.  Breathe.  Oxygen is good.  Try taking 1/2 an hour to step aside from the daunting tasks at hand and just breathe; deeply and fully.  Think about what it is you really have to do.  Jot down the tasks (all of them) and visualize the people, experiences and other resources you could pull from to help you up the mountain.   In my experience I've learned two valuable facts that are applicable in most any situation. 

        One, people want to play a role in your greatness.  The larger a ta ...

Just had a fantastic couple days in Niagara Falls, Ontario.   I've been down there a few times, but every trip seems to be a little different.  There's a lot to offer I guess, with a little something for everyone.  While the falls were gorgeous (as always), and we had terrific accomodations (Sterling Inn and Spa - check it out, you won't be disappointed!),  the highlight of the weekend was a side trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake (NotL); a quaint town about 20 minutes outside of the tourist centre that is the Falls proper.  Maybe it was the stark contrast of the bustle and commercialism of the Falls itself, but there was a sense of calm and peace in NotL that was almost indescribeable.  And while it's a beautiful town, truth be told, there's not a whole lot going on in NotL.  Yet what they do have, they do well.  The whole town consists of a couple golf courses, one small stretch of even smaller shops, and a startling collecti ...

I was reminded the other day of a conversation I had with a friend in Vancouver. She overheard me saying "I'm not a morning person" in response to someone telling me about a morning show they'd just watched. Without evening blinking she responded with "That's pretty much the fastest way to rule out a third of your life."

I absolutely love it. How often do we go through life ruling things out and removing all opportunity with an offhand remark. She taught me a valuable lesson in the power of words. She actually taught me a solution for my "anti-morning attitude too". Now, every time I feel tired in the pre-noon hours, instead of complaining, I say (outloud), "I'm not as awake as I'd like to be." And it always makes me laugh. My co-workers think it's pretty funny too.

Inspirations can come from the strangest places.  I was out for breakfast a while ago with some friends from University that I hadn’t seen in years.  The “all day breakfast” place we’d selected was the epitome of “cheap and cheerful” – home style cooking and poster-adorned walls that made the establishment look more like a frat house than a self respecting restaurant.  The one next to our booth was a dated promotional poster for the clothing brand Zoo York, adorned with the New York State motto, “Excelsior: To forever move upwards.  To always keep going and strive for the best.”   Inspiring words for a $3.99 breakfast.  You wonder who pulled the trigger on that quote.  What politician decided that those words would represent the State of New York.  And when?  Was New York already the influential powerhouse that we know it as today, or is it possible that this slogan was a precursor to the global influencer that ...

At the end of the day, I like to spend half an hour or so on my balcony.  Just sitting, really, a glass of wine occasionally, and the freedom to reflect on the day and plan for the next; 20 stories up from the street.  There's a small covered pavilion about a block from my apartment, in perfect eyeline from the chair I like to occupy during these times of reflection and planning.  Recently though, a small group of teenager have given me added reason for wanting to sit in that particular location.  They breakdance.  And they're pretty good too.  What impresses me most though is not the dancing itself, but rather the passion and dedication that these teens show for their dancing.  Every night for the last week, rain or shine, they're out there for a solid 2 or 3 hours – dancing, falling down, failing and getting back up again – working hard and having fun.  Even from 20 stories up, it's easy to see how much they enjoy what they're ...