Finding Meaning in the G20 Chaos

It's been three days since the G20 summit in Toronto and like majority of Canadians, I am still feeling the affects of it. As I search for the meaning of last weekend's events, the disturbing images planted in my mind keep surfacing. We can do better than this.

I will not lose faith in the notion that across this beautiful globe of ours there are enough intelligent, creative and caring human beings who can rise up and become the leaders we so badly need: leaders in their families, leaders in their workplaces, leaders in their communities, leaders in their countries... leaders of their countries.

Just the other day, I was joking with someone (but not really) that in order to beat 'the man', you have to be 'the man'. As much as it pissed me off to see the politicians smiling and enjoying themselves, their blatant disregard of the protest is what we needed. Like a teenager who once rebelled against their parents before maturing into an adult, the time of kicking and screaming and breaking things is over– as is the time of passive aggressive behaviour.  We have become wise enough and capable enough to take responsibility of our world as it is and do something about it.  As Ghandi once said, “the difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problem.” Yes, it's a much bigger commitment than 72 hours of protesting, it's a lifetime devotion to personal progress not for monetary gain, but for global gain. That is what will create lasting change. And one day, when we become leaders of the country we have envisioned, we'll realize that guiding a nation isn't easy at all (and that we do need to be surrounded by armed officers when travelling).

From an eagle's perspective, beyond all archetypes, beyond race, culture, religion or sexual orientation, last weekend was the convergence of human beings falsely separated by the historical illusion of 'us' versus 'them'– the stuff that war is made out of. And so it continues, as we defend whichever 'side' we are on. What was the first thing Nelson Mandela did when he was released from prison after 27 years? He certainly didn't have time to get caught up in "he said/she said" pettiness; he had a nation to liberate.  Leaders who have made substantial progress for the sake of humanity have first sought to understand the opposition, and then forgive them. Those two actions are what kept their extraordinary visions pulsing with life and birthed into reality. Nobility. Nobility...

By no means do I attempt to minimize what the protesters or innocent bystanders have experienced, or what the thousands of police officers experienced for that matter because they, too, have stories. I thank all of the protesters who did not engage in acts of violence. I thank the police officers for doing a very difficult job. I thank the Black Bloc for reminding me there is a black sheep in our family. I thank the politicians for making it clear I have more work to do from where I am right now.

Get involved in the community, continue to spread kindness...  keep faith in humanity. All of our actions, if driven by vision, will open a multitude of doors that permit us to making greater and greater impact.

You CAN change the world

"Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it's not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won't. It's whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere."

-President Barack Obama


Shortly after I graduated and began my first career as a school teacher, I remember having this overwhelming feeling that somehow I could change the world; that I was unstoppable. Of course, that was before I knew about bureaucratic barriers. It didn't take long before my naive optimism was squashed out of me and I resigned to a life of mediocrity. I decided that I was powerless; my pulse slowed down, my fire turned to glowing embers. My new mantra became "Why bother?"

If you are living or ever have lived by that mantra, you understand the ways in which your life suddenly turns gray and you begin to live vicariously through larger than life characters in books or on screens.

It was only a matter of time before my residency in the wasteland of mediocrity became dissatisfying. My hiding place was discovered by my spirit and my first born child. I had no choice but to try again.This time around, I realize that leaving your mark isn't so much about the mark itself as it is about the type of person you have to become and the vision you have to guide you.

Mr. Gandhi was right.To create any significant change in the world first requires a significant change within. The biggest changes often involve overcoming multiple fears. Fear of loss. Fear of rejection. Fear of persecution... and the list goes on and on. In fact, I'm not sure the list is ever exhausted. And you can guarantee, where there is fear, feelings of inadequacy also exist. 

Nobody likes to feel inadequate, but without feeling less than capable we wouldn't need to grow. It is where one of life's many forks in the road exists: grow bigger than you are right now, or shrink so you can remain comfortable–for now. I guess you could also choose to not to choose. I wouldn't recommend that option though, I've tried it and I just ended up standing at the junction complaining because I was uncomfortable. It's not fun. But what I now know is nothing... I repeat; nothing feels more epic than overcoming a fear that has been holding you back from living to your fullest potential or becoming proficient at something you once floundered at.

When I was younger I took the comfortable road. Maybe I didn't believe enough in my vision to fight for it. Or maybe I had realized if I fought for it I might not win... and then what? Perhaps my vision was weak and incomplete. Whatever the reason, I needed my flame to peter out so I could build a better fire. Now, when I feel the slightest loss in momentum,  I either fine tune my vision, change my approach, take a break, regroup... I'm not giving up. Not this time.

As Barack says, making your mark is not easy and it does take patience, commitment and a willingness to fail. It is a true test of your vision. I believe a great vision will always see you through and the feet of the person you are becoming will eventually get you there.

Breathe Deep and Breathe Often

In yogic philosophy, it is said that your life has a predetermined number of breaths, so breathe slow and breathe deep...

As  a yoga practitioner, I find breath to be fascinating. For those of you not familiar with yoga, we spend a fair amount of time doing what is called pranayama, which is a series of seated breathing exercises. I remember when I tried yoga for the first time, I found the practice to be strange, but had to admit I noticed the immediate calming affect.  I cannot help but to attribute a much stronger immune system and a higher tolerance for stress to the years I have invested in the practice.

Most of us spend our days breathing short, shallow breaths and sometimes we stop breathing altogether, thanks to stress and unconscious breathing. By simply bringing your awareness to breath, you can instantly de-stress the body, improve a negative mood and become less reactive to your environment. I know if I have trouble falling asleep at night because my mind won't shut off, I focus on deep, rhythmic breathing and before I know it, I quickly drift off into a peaceful slumber. Physiologically there are so many benefits to mindful breathing exercises because unlike regular cardiovascular activities, where the fresh intake of oxygen is immediately burned up by the muscles being used,  seated breathing gives oxygen the chance to properly rejuvenate the body.

From a larger perspective, I believe that breath is something we too often take for granted and for no good reason.  Our lives begin with one big inhale and ends with a final exhale; all of the breaths in between create our sweet, sacred life and declares "I am alive!" My entire life hinges on my final exhale. Every major life decision I make is an acknowledgment of that moment as I aim to ensure that when it happens I will have no regrets.

What about you? When is the last time you felt the significance of waking up in the morning and inhaling as you stretch your body out to prepare for the day ahead? Or maybe you hold your breath as you jump out of bed in a mad rush to get ready. Either way just remember, every day's waking breath is another opportunity to right some wrongs and enjoy life's surprises. As the saying goes, any day above ground is a good day... and you have your breath to thank for that.