“We are witnessing America as a failed social experiment,” Ivy League philosopher Cornel West has said. West is not alone in this assessment. Numerous scholars are expressing similar concerns, including University of British Columbia professor Wade Davis, who recently published The Unraveling of America in Rolling Stone magazine. Are we really seeing the end of…
Deception and dishonesty aren’t new. When sending his disciples out into the world 2,000 years ago, Jesus gave the following advice: “I am sending you like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” People have always told lies to promote their agendas and to protect their economic interests.…
The great are those who strive valiantly, those who are willing to learn from their mistakes and try again
It’s a myth to think we’re only successful if we achieve our goals. The key to happiness is not only to have goals that are significant to us, but to dare greatly to achieve them. Former American president Theodore Roosevelt said: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how…
We don’t have to look hard to realize many of our relatives have been victims of racism. If we live in comfort and freedom, it’s only because we’re lucky
I’m outraged as I write this. Yet another Black American, Jacob Blake, was shot in front of his children, in broad daylight and in cold blood by a white police officer. Miraculously, he survived, but it’s unlikely he will ever walk again. I’m also very inspired by the myriad of professional athletes refusing to play;…
Humour breaks down walls that divide us and builds empathy and understanding. It’s one of the most amazing, enriching aspects of being human
Humourist Paul Lowney said, “Laughter has no foreign accent.” I recall listening to Polish friends banter in their own language. Although I didn’t understand what they were saying, I found myself smiling. When one of them asked why I was laughing and whether I understood what they were saying, I simply said, “No, but you laugh the…
Do we really believe that deception, dishonesty, manipulation and lack of accountability lead to peace, happiness and meaning in life?
If we look honestly at the media that much of the world consumes, we shouldn’t be surprised that we’re living in a time of crisis. One of the goals of education is to develop the capacity for critical thinking in young people. This doesn’t mean we condemn anyone else, but it does mean we learn…
NBA and WNBA players show what happens when talented people from all over the world come together in an environment of mutual respect
In times of crisis, true leaders step forward. While effective political leadership has largely been absent, professional athletes – primarily players in the National Basketball Association and Women’s National Basketball Association – have demonstrated that celebrity status, when embraced with a sense of responsibility, can be a catalyst for global change. The examples of selfless…
Don't blame yourself for your problems, just recognize your giftedness and the responsibility that this entails
A song popularized by Monty Python tells us to “Always look on the bright side of life.” But is this always the best advice? A study published by the Association for Psychological Science says this strategy only helps bring happiness if we're dealing with a situation we have no control over. In situations we do…There’s infinite potential in each person and we’re at our best when we’re learning from one another
Author and motivational speaker Simon Sinek tells us that as individuals, groups or corporations, it’s essential we start by understanding our why. This isn’t simply a question of why I go to work. It’s not a question of what I do. It’s a quest to find the essence of my being. I’ve always loved teaching…
When words that demean others are spoken with impunity, they lead to further infringements on our dignity and rights
The greatest danger to our way of life is the culture of impunity we’ve created. It’s an assault on truth and human dignity. This became very clear in a discourse between two members of the American House of Representatives. Ted Yoho verbally accosted and demeaned Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for expressing her views on controversial issues and…
The charitable organization has done a great deal of good. And there are plenty of other issues that are far more problematic
It’s time to end the sensationalism about WE Charity. It’s true that the administration of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government showed a lack of judgment by handing the responsibility for a government-funded volunteer program to an organization that several members of the government and their families have been involved in. The federal Liberals have not…
Seven simple words help to understand the strength of a great man: humility, honesty, respect, courage, truth, wisdom, love
The world recently said goodbye to lifetime civil rights activist and long-serving member of the United States House of Representatives, John Lewis. In one of his most famous quotes, Lewis stated, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to do something.” Lewis lived…
Regardless of how a survivor processes their trauma, simply speaking the truth is what’s most important
During the 2015 trial of former SS guard Oskar Groning, as presented in the documentary The Accountant of Auschwitz, Holocaust survivor Eva Kor forgave the man she was testifying against. The response to Kor’s statement was extremely varied. Some praised her, others were shocked and some even reacted with scorn. Forgiveness is one of the…
The whitewashed fences of racist lies, hidden behind the pages of history books, are collapsing when exposed to truth
On June 30, the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo, King Philippe of Belgium expressed regret for the “acts of violence and cruelty” committed by his ancestor King Leopold II. The day also saw the state-sanctioned removal of another statue of this forgotten villain of history. Leopold II was the…
It may be that the impact stress has on our health has less to do with its cause and more to do with how we think about it
Social science seems to have found the secret to a long and happy life. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal tells us, “Go after what creates meaning in your life and then trust yourself to handle the stress that follows.” In recent years, however, we’ve looked at stress as our enemy, seeking instead to live in complete ease.…