As you embark on your journey into adulthood, I wanted to share some wisdom that I've gathered over the years. These are skills and traits that I believe every young man should possess to navigate through life with confidence and grace. Firstly, it's important to be physically capable. Learn to swim proficiently, handle a car breakdown, and defend yourself without resorting to violence. Knowing how to handle emergencies, from administering first aid to cooking a meal, will not only serve you well but also enable you to care for others. Beyond physical prowess, cultivate a range of intere ..read more

Some sage advice from my friend Gary to me, which I am delighted to share with you. 1.    The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless! 2.    Be decisive. Right or wrong, decide. The road is paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t decide. 3.     When I get a headache, I take two aspirin and keep away from children just like the bottle says. 4.    Just once, I want the prompt for username and password to say, “Close enough.” 5.    Becoming an ..read more

April Showers bring May flowers and so as we cast our minds to Spring and gardening. Some of us don’t have the room to have a big garden, but a container garden may work. Here are some tips for discovering the art of container gardening: 1.     Choose the right container: When selecting a container, consider the size, material, and shape that will work best for the plant you want to grow. Make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. 2.     Select the right soil: Use a well-draining potting mix that is specifically designed for ..read more

 In the depths of silence Where the words reside A symphony of whispers Waiting to be untied Unspoken dreams dancing in the moonlit air A tapestry of emotions Woven with utmost care The pen A conduit Pouring feelings like rain A language of the soul Where thoughts are unchained Each syllable a brushstroke Painting vivid scenes Unleashing the power hiding within the seams   Words have power They ignite the spark (ignite the spark) They speak the truth Lighting up the dark (up the dark) An echo of emotion Resonating deep inside (inside) Through the verses Our hearts collide http://www ..read more

 1.              It doesn’t matter what other people think. Not everyone is going to always support you 100% but as long as you are doing you and you know that you’re becoming a better person then that’s what’s important. 2.              Never let your memories be bigger than your dreams. 3.              Any challenge is a lever for personal growth. What’s most critical is how you evolve and grow ..read more

 Happiness is often misunderstood as the ultimate goal of life, but in reality, it's more of a byproduct of how we live our lives and the choices we make. Happiness often arises from leading a purposeful life rather than seeking happiness directly. For example, someone who volunteers at a local shelter may find deep fulfillment in helping others, which leads to a sense of happiness as a consequence of their meaningful actions. Many people believe that helping others will make them happy. While this may be true in the short term, research has shown that the relationship between helping oth ..read more

 I was reading my twice-weekly post from The Marginalian by Maria Popova <newsletter@brainpickings.org > and Maria in her first article of the post called "The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows: Uncommonly Lovely Invented Words for What We Feel but Cannot Name." started with this quote:  Words are events, they do things, change things. They transform both speaker and hearer; they feed energy back and forth and amplify it. They feed understanding or emotion back and forth and amplify them, by Ursula K. Le Guin, I love Maria's work because it makes me think outside the box ..read more

A recent study suggests that a balanced diet could be your best bet. Here are the main takeaways: What we eat affects our well-being, but understanding the precise relationship between diet and brain health is complex. Recent research published in Nature Mental Health indicates that different dietary patterns can influence various aspects of brain health, including mental health, cognitive function, metabolic biomarkers, and brain structure. Among four dietary patterns examined in the study, including starch-free, vegetarian, high-protein/low-fiber, and balanced diet, the balanced diet emerged ..read more

 The CPP is Canada’s national retirement plan. It’s designed to provide a foundation for millions of Canadians to build their retirement. Right now, conversations are taking place about the potential of withdrawing from the CPP. It’s an important decision for Albertans, with implications for all Canadians. CPP Investments, the independent, non-partisan, global investment management organization responsible for investing in the CPP Fund, has launched a new online resource yourcpp.ca to support the conversation and help residents make an informed choice about their future.  Today, the ..read more

 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus affecting Canadians' health. It infects the airways and lungs, causing cold-like symptoms such as runny nose and coughing, usually lasting one to two weeks. Vulnerable groups include children under two, older adults, those with heart or lung conditions, and immunocompromised individuals. Adults over 65 face more severe complications, including hospitalization and sometimes needing intensive care. RSV is highly contagious, more so than seasonal flu, and lacks specific treatments beyond supportive care. While flu causes more h ..read more