Category: Self-Reflection

Ripping the Bandaid Off: A Metaphor for Healing
I threw some bandages over some small cuts I had, because they stung like crazy whenever I showered or whenever they scraped against materials. What I didn't realize was that the bandages would end up irritating my skin even more; apparently I had some kind of allergic reaction to the adhesive. I eventually had no ...

A Small New Year’s Reminder
As the new year approaches, we can't help but look back at the past year and consider how far we've come and where we're heading next. For many of us, 2020 has felt like being in quicksand: as much as we've tried to wriggle ourselves free, we can't help but feel somewhat stuck. Many of ...
View post to subscribe to site newsletter.

20/20 Vision: A Year of Awareness
At the start of 2020, people used the hashtag #2020vision to describe how they would pursue their new year's resolutions with razor sharp focus. That, of course, was drastically put on hold, as we progressed through the very year that would derail everyone's plans. My experience was similar: rather than pursuing my goals with absolute ...

Enjoying vs. Enduring Life — Which One Are You Doing?
Last week, Vancouver was hit with its first snowfall of the season. As expected, the rain-accustomed city basically shut down when the snow reached its peak; bridges started to close, buses stopped running, cars got stuck, and classes got cancelled. And, sure enough, my lovely but prone-to-worry mother sent me a flood of texts urging ...

Top 5 Lessons from the Past Year
I love witnessing the excitement and buzz surrounding each New Year. There's something special about the world sitting in anticipation and wondering about the possibilities that lie ahead. It's a time to relish how far we've come, re-assess where we're going, and ultimately cling on to hope and gratitude. The past year was a special ...

Coming Home for Christmas
This morning I engaged in a gentle exchange in the "comments" section of a popular Catholic Instagram account called @LitCatholicMemes (which I typically enjoy, by the way). I rarely ever comment on stuff, but this time I felt like I had to speak up, because this topic has been weighing on my mind for some time ...

Life Lessons from Latin Dancing
It's only been one month since I started taking Latin partner dance classes (like salsa, bachata, and Brazilian zouk), and I'm surprised by how restorative it's been for me. At first I thought I was simply learning something new—taking up a hobby to sneak in some physical activity after work—but it ended up being so ...

6 Quotes to Welcome the New Year
It's New Year's Eve! For some people, reflecting on the past year gives them a feeling of triumph—they've made great strides, accomplished important goals, and overcome many challenges. But for others, reflecting on the past year can feel wearisome, filled with regret and disappointment. Here are some quotes to help you look up instead of ...

10 Lessons I’ve Learned from the Past Year
December is usually the time of year when people get a little more introspective, reflecting on the past year and all the lessons that came with it, in preparation for the New Year. So here are 10 lessons that 2015 has taught me. Hopefully they resonate with you. 1. Be solution-focused. Some people are naturally ...

Lessons from Europe: Top 6 Moments
About a month ago I went on a trip to Spain and Italy with some of my best friends. I wanted to share with you 6 of the most meaningful moments and lessons I learned from my travels. 1. As a good friend of mine put it: "When the bass drops, thou must drop with ...