GREEN INK

The view from my balcony is nothing short of glorious, especially during fall.  The expanse of panorama goes far beyond the Credit River - right up to CN Tower in Toronto Downtown. Decorated with a delightful and brilliant mosaic of colors - Crimson, Orange, and Yellow trees. Dry leaves blow all over the intersection busy with speeding cars. The echoing mixture of crimson and yellow leaves floats playfully in the gentle, chilly breeze - adding a calming liveliness to the bright sunshine.  However, on Saturday morning at 7.31 AM, the view seemed unappealing and dull. Actually, it was the window- opaque. Foggy. Fingerprints smudged the glass all over. It was my neglect to clean, conceivably. My neglect toned down the beauty of the view I am used to.   I have neglected stuff. Not on purpose , but it has happened. For instance, neglected faith; because I must first focus on household chores in the morning. As a result, without the lens of faith, my worldview gets clouded and judgments fogg

 I bet $219 that this has been the first question in most of your interviews.  You might have started your answer with a quick 2 line summary of your experience, followed by your uniquely glorious achievements, and then conveniently concluded why you are the best fit for the role. Great job!  Perhaps your answer impressed them enough to offer that role to you.  What happened after, though?  Did you ever ask that question to yourself?   And not just about your career or ambition... but EVERYTHING.  I have been asking that question a lot to myself lately.  It's easy to align the answer for an interview - between your experience, achievements, and the job role expectations.  But outside that?!  It is far more challenging. After all, life isn't a job description.  It doesn't promise anything, as beautiful as it is.  So...what should I align my answer to?  How should I describe myself? As a dad..or a husband? Or perhaps a son?  Or with the experiences of life I have had. The hea

Feels out of sync?  You know, like - missing deadlines, tired in the morning, strained relationships, etc. I've been there, and so have you. Juggling is hard. Work, relationships, ambitions, hobbies, health. Balancing all the time. There is this thing that no one loves - getting blindsided by something that (appeared to) come out of nowhere. But you know what? It did not. It happened because some things were ignored (see those opening lines? Notice them- ASAP. Yours may be something else that's not listed up there. Try to enlist what doesn't feel correct for YOU). No! That waistline did not expand 3 inches by itself. Don't act surprised if those pants don't fit anymore. Some things were ignored. For a while. The key to avoiding getting blindsided - notice those ominous signs. Early. How? End the day with self-reflection. Read that again. SELF REFLECTION. No. I don't want you to be a monk. I promise.  No meditation. No eyes closed or deep breaths (it's not a