It was almost 5 p.m. on Thursday, and after 50 minutes of bumper-to-bumper traffic all the way from New Westminster, I was relieved to exit the highway. Instead of the usual 15-minute trip from work to the exit, my commute had lengthened, so I was relieved to not have to remain in that traffic. Thankfully,…
Self-esteem
Today I read that self-esteem is the key to success or failure, and that got me thinking. If I wanted to guarantee that I succeeded, then I’d just need to ensure my self-esteem was positive and not negative in whichever area I wanted success, right? Is there more to it than this? Well, first –…
She’s just like me
As I boarded Air Canada’s flight 1802 from Toronto to Jamaica, I peered at the seat numbers, trying to not make eye contact with the passengers already seated. I paused in the aisle, waiting for the woman in front of me to realize that she couldn’t possibly stuff her oversized carry-on bag in the overhead…
New Year’s Resolutions. What do you really want? What’s holding you back?
From as far back as I can remember, every Boxing Day brought with it the New Year’s resolution itch. What’s the New Year’s resolution itch? It’s that niggling urge that I’d get that would make me conduct my own year in review, which would leave me feeling so dissatisfied that I had no choice but to look ahead to the…
My 2017. Dad’s dementia. Tears. Chocolates. Weight Gain.
At the beginning of 2017, I was determined to lose 50 pounds by the time I turned 50 on August 28. I began saying, “50 by 50!” and I joined a Facebook weight loss group, hoping to get inspiration from its members. Having started one such Facebook group the year before where none of us…
Who Is My Neighbor?
I couldn’t remember the last time I saw the woman who lived in the house across the street. It occurred to me one day as I was reversing into my driveway. I’m not sure why it crossed my mind. Perhaps it was because it was the second time that week I’d seen a young woman,…
50 is not the new 30
While my girlfriend and I were at lunch one day, I mentioned my slight anxiety about going to a Zumba class at my gym. She seemed confused. “Why would you be anxious?” she enquired. “You know … old bones and all!” I responded. “Old bones? Don’t you know 50 is the new 30?” Well, I…
The Power of Story
Every now and again, as a teacher I have a class that I fall in love with. In the winter of 2012, I had one of those. On the last day of class, I tried to figure out what I liked so much about them, and I decided it was their stories. It’s all in…
Remembering Jordan Kornberger
Published in The Other Press on November 4, 2014 In the Fall of 2012, I had one of the most delightful, eclectic classes at Douglas College: a night public speaking class, CMNS 1125. I had approached that class feeling ambivalent, yet hopeful. Hoping for participation from tired students, hoping for interest in the course content,…