A wee bit of BS

It has been a long time since I updated my blog. I was running in the provincial election here. I came second in my riding, which also happens to be the neighbourhood I live in. I did very well all things considered. I am glad I ran. If I had to do it over again, I would. I learned a lot during this election. I have always been interested in politics but never thought I would run for office. Yet the time came in my life to take a stand for my community in a new way. I did. I worked as hard as I could. I was running for a party not often embraced in my neighbourhood. Some doors slammed in my face. Some people were angry. But most were polite. Most were considerate. Most were...neighbourly. I was humbled and honoured to have people share their struggles with me. It is a huge responsibility to represent people in public office. I saw great irony as some who professed great tolerance had none for me because of my political affiliation. I saw bias in the media, both for an...

I work with immigrant women. I love them all! They bring me joy, hope, heartbreak and sometimes sadness. I hear how many of them are single. They are most often mothers with young children. They have moved here looking for a better life not just for themselves but primarily their children. Today two women were telling me how they have more rights here. They find it easier to survive and will work hard to learn the Canadian way of life because they can. Some are single mothers because the fathers have died in conflict. Some have husbands who left because they could not adjust. Some are single because they can not get their husbands here. That is where the heartbreak comes. These women are strong. Yet they like to laugh. They work hard yet they never complain about being tired. They continue trying to improve their English because it makes life easier for them and their children. Yet they do not complain about people who do not understand them. Instead they talk about ho...

Before I was 18 I could not wait to vote. I believe I have voted in every election possible since then (even many years ago when I was in hospital). I love voting. I love knowing what is going on with candidates. I love the feeling of having an impact on the world around me. I also think of those around the world who do not have the same opportunities to vote. I am safe when I go to vote. I have freedom to vote for whom I choose. I have access to information on candidates. I matter just as much as any other voter. Unfortunately not everyone in Canada feels the same way. I wish more people did. Younger voters are the ones least likely to turn out to vote according to the media. That saddens me. How did a free society get to the point where a whole segment of the population feels so disconnected? Who will make the future or politics if those younger do not get involved? What will happen in future elections if fewer people vote? And what does this say to those in the world ...

I lived in city centre Dublin for three years. I am not Irish. I think I was the only person ever to land in Dublin and not claim to be Irish. Yet the inner city youth I worked with considered me one of them. It was some crazy days. I loved it though. As St. Patrick's Day approaches I realise I left a part of my heart in Ireland. It truly is a beautiful country, and not just because of the scenery. The people are amazing. They will make you laugh. They will make you cry. They will welcome you and love you. They will show you great craic (an Irish word I encourage you to look up). They will make you tea. They will buy you a pint. They will slow you down for a wee bit to see there is more to life than chasing money. And you will see they are right. You will never forget an Irish friend. I moved back to Canada in the summer of 2003. I have not been back since. But not because I have not wanted to. Life has a way of taking us along different journeys than we imagined...

Today I started a second part time job. I am working with Muslim women here in the city. I am hoping to create programs for them to help them adjust to life in a very different country. I have met gracious, beautiful, wonderful women. I understand the word 'Muslim' can bring up varying images in minds of all people. I hope people will allow me to add a new addition to that view. I have met women who simply want to live a life of peace. They do not want to struggle. They want their children to grow up learning all they can. They want their children to succeed. They want their husbands to be with them (instead of overseas). They want lives of meaning. I have seen more discrimination against these women in two days than I have possibly experienced in my own life thus far. Or maybe I have simply ignored discrimination. It never stopped me. It may have set me back for a bit but it never kept me down for long. As I get to know these wonderful, gracious, beautiful wome...

I have tried to create simplicity this month. A part of simplicity for me is sometimes as simple as making sure my expectations of myself are realistic. I tend to expect myself to do more than is humanly possible. Surely I can do everything for everyone everyday. Unfortunately I can not. This month of simplicity was supposed to reduce stress through many means. The less I purchase, the less stress I have about finances. The less I consume, the better the world around me can be. The less I need to spend, the less I need to earn so I can enjoy the people in my life more. It sounds simple. It is not so easy in practice. I have realised how busy and full life is. No matter what simplicity I create in my life, it can not change the world around me. Does that mean I give up? Not at all. I continue to strive to create simplicity. People are too important to me. People I know and love. People I don't know yet still love. People I will soon know and love. When I was living ...

When I started this month of simplicity I knew it would take work. It is not so simple to create simplicity. However, that does not mean it is not worth the effort. This month I have noticed how I can influence those around me. People care what I say. People care what I think. Not a lot of people but people none the less. I suppose that is simplicity too. It does not matter if a million people listen to me or one person listens. The point is my words, my life, my actions and my beliefs can impact people around me. That is something I do not take lightly. I try to live my life in such a way to make things better for those around me. I try to care about people to help them out of despair. I try to use my blessings to bless others. I try to use what I have to help others who might not have what I do. I try to use my education to teach others. I am not better than anyone else. I am more responsible than some. If I have received much in life, I have more responsibility. Th...