There’s a story we all tell ourselves. I’ve told it too - many times. It’s the story of being bigger, better, and braver than we actually are. It doesn’t always happen consciously. It sneaks up on us as we step into roles, project confidence, and convince ourselves that we’ve arrived, even when we … [Read more...]
Bridging the Gap: The Art of Strategic Connection
Every so often, I come across people who, in the simplest ways, change everything for me. It’s not because they have the answers to all the questions I’ve been asking, but because they understand the gaps that I couldn’t even see. And then they have a name, or two, to suggest for who can help me … [Read more...]
A Neighbor’s Shadow: Reflecting on Canada’s Contradictory Relationship with the United States
Canada’s relationship with the United States is one of profound interdependence. The shadow of the United States looms large over Canada, shaping our identity in ways we’re too proud, or too reluctant, to fully admit. Recent events have reignited debates around our complex yet deeply … [Read more...]
The Smallness of Our Days and the Immensity of Our Lives
There are moments in life that force you to pause, moments that pierce through the comfortable hum of ambition, routine, and distraction, confronting you with the startling fragility and quiet eternity of existence. Today was one of those moments. I stood beside a friend, who is like an elder … [Read more...]
“Not the United States” Is Not Enough: Why Canada Must Define Its Own Identity
When I first landed in Canada in the early 2000s, I was struck by a peculiar quirk in how Canadians explained themselves. Two adages seemed to dominate conversations about identity: “Canada is everything the United States isn’t” and “We are better than the United States.” Neither resonated with me. … [Read more...]