The Death of a Politician Brings the City Together

This past weekend, a well known city politician (Jack Layton) passed away in Toronto. He was known for his work that supported and spoke for those disenfranchised in the city- those who remain marginalized. He was what people refer to as a "family man". One who did not carry the same sense of self-importance that so many city politicians often do.

For many Torontonians, the death of Jack Layton was sad and deeply unfortunate. Having said that, I was still amazed at the outpouring of love, support, and caring so many people of Toronto demonstrated as a result of his passing. I had no idea so many people were so passionate about what this politician stood for. I even caught myself wondering how many of his mourners actually knew him and/ or knew his political platform all that well.


 Some argue that this kind of collective expression was a result of social media hype and the need to be apart of something that was making headline news.

Those who didn't really know the man still wanted to share their condolences and were critically condemned for doing so. The critics seemed like they wanted to take ownership over their sentiments regarding Mr. Layton's death with an immature "I loved him more" or "I loved him first" mentality.

I think that anytime love and compassion is demonstrated en masse in a city, no less, we should welcome it, not disparage it. All too often, we have our heads in the concrete sidewalks, living our seemingly separate and disconnected lives. Nonetheless, at the end of the day, this event was a reminder that we are more connected than we may otherwise think.

To those critics and nay-sayers who want to celebrate Jack Layton's life and mourn his death, just be happy that the city has come together with positive thoughts and caring sentiments, however misdirected some intentions may be.

Although it took a death to bring the city together (as this often happens with family and friends), it took the celebration of this man's life to remind us that we do, in fact, share this city... with caring hearts.

Lily Pads and Skyscrapers: Taking a Path Less Taken

Nature Trail- Tommy Thompson Park- Toronto

People in positions of influence often encourage us to take the proverbial "path less taken" as if knowing this will magically inspire success in the near future. But, where is this path they keep taking about?

One place to explore is in your own backyard. If you're a Torontonian, you may have heard of the Tommy Thompson Park down by the waterfront. I had never realized this conservation park existed, so I went down to see what it's all about.

Sometimes taking the less taken path isn't as life changing as the proverb suggests, but it is good for allowing new perspectives to be considered.

For instance, it was refreshing to know that real nature: trees, birds, ponds, and lily pads exist alongside the condos and skyscrapers in the not-so-distant skyline. This unique angle allows you to look at the city from afar without even leaving city limits.



Tommy Thompson Park/ Toronto Skyline

 I considered that a change of scenery is sometimes all we need to reassess a situation, or to re-evaluate how we feel about a heated topic. Maybe if we can look inside ourselves carefully enough, we can discover an oasis like this, our own "path less taken", which would let us view ourselves/ our lives with greater objectivity.

As city-dwellers, we are familiar with contrasts and opposing views, but somehow we more-or-less live amicably among one another despite these differences. It would seem that we are more capable of taking a path less taken, fraught with introspection and reflection, than we give ourselves credit for.

Living in a city where lily pads and skyscrapers exist side-by-side gives me a sense of comfort in knowing that these seemingly stark contrasts are what make the city and our lives enjoyable and extraordinary!

People Get Ready ...

Eva Cassidy beautifully sang "people get ready- there's a train a coming- You don't need no baggage- you just get on board - all you need is faith".

Sometimes, as busy city folk, we need this kind of faith. Faith in knowing that we will get to where we're going, even if we aren't as prepared as we should be. It's like trying to go to work without your iPod- so annoying! - but perfectly do-able.



Union Station- Toronto

 
In life, as when riding trains, we find that an opportunity is coming our way and if we don't seize it, it will pass us by. It might be our only chance. The next train may not come for hours- days- even years.

When we board this train (or in my case, subway) we have faith that it will take us to our destination. What we don't know is what will transpire on this journey. But, we can take comfort in knowing we at least got on board, made the best of it, and even if we had to get off a few stops early, we can rest assure that we made the best of our journey. In most cases, we will have met others that were willing to make the journey worth while. A journey can be enjoyed just as much, even with out iPods. We just need to find new ways to keep the journey interesting.

There's an old saying, "get on the train, or get off the tracks". Well, if we don't take that leap of faith to get on board, we not only miss our train, but we might be even worse off than we were before we heard the oncoming locomotive choo-choo-ing down the tracks.

Get ready... take a leap of faith ... see where it takes you!

"Life is a journey, not a destination".
(Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer)

Be Where You Are

The sun was shining above my large beach umbrella, as I reclined in a white Muskoka chair, munched on a fresh kaiser sandwich, and sipped a cold Diet Coke (now covered in sand... thanks friend :P).

The kids under the neighbouring umbrella were laughing and making sandcastles with their mom while taking breaks to run through the nearby splash pad. They seemed to be having the time of their lives.

The sun, the breeze, and my Diet Coke made for a phenomenal afternoon. These moments are often rare and fleeting, especially for those us living in a dense metropolis (one in which even the summer season is unpredictable and usually short lived).

I later walked through the city and into the BCE Place (a prominent business complex in the downtown core) to catch the subway. As I paced through the corridor, I noticed a sign in big black letters. It read:

These words made me think about being where I was in that place in time. I was nowhere particularly special or important- just walking through on my way home. I realized that is precisely the point. Understand?

How often would you imagine business men and women pacing this large hallway without truly realizing where they are with clarity and actualization.

If every moment of life is to be precious, why don't we make a greater concentrated effort to make them matter?

We might be tired, stressed, or in a rush, but it's so important that we are present here and now, wherever we are. Our livelihood craves it, and those we spend time with deserve it.

In order to soak up the warm rays of life, and hear the children laughing beside us, we need to truly BE where we are- look around, enjoy the scenery, and love your life in any way you can.

If we can do this, maybe we will be laughing like the beach children too. And just maybe we'll be running through the splash pad ourselves!

Trying Something New

Try something new today! This is not a novel or innovative idea, but this notion is one of which we often need a reminder. It doesn't mean you need to be especially creative or to be all that much of a risk taker. It means just do something you've never done before. Sounds simple? It can be!

Doing something you wouldn't usually do will likely help you experience a thrill and will even increase your level of happiness. It will often happen when you least expect it, so some spontaneity is required. The city will present you with many opportunities.

The other day while walking along College St., a friend and I noticed two guys driving down the side walk on their strange looking bikes. These friendly guys were offering up their 'Yike Bikes' for those strangers interested in a little spontaneous fun.

After a few wobbles, the Yike Bike was just like... well... riding a bike!

In life, we get overwhelmed with new experiences, but it is usually those experiences that better prepare us for the next "new" thing- something more challenging, but rewarding, in time.

In most cases you'll find that trying something new is spontaneous and is not at all planned. So even if we try riding a new bike and fall off enough times, we learn how to get back up with more ease each time. We soon figure out ways not to fall off and keep moving forward.

Try something new and push your limits. The "something new" is probably within reach, just outside your comfort zone.

What have you got to lose?

The City Under Constant Rennovation