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  I met Raymond Ducholke at a Vancouver coffee shop I have frequented to write on my laptop on occasion.  After getting to know that he is also an author and a humanitarian, I wanted to capture his wonderful story of mentorship and sponsorship.  So here is an excerpt of my interview of him in July: Raymond, what was your experience of going to the Philippine to attend the graduation of the young woman you had sponsored into nursing school? This was a really heartwarming experience, seeing Jenny and knowing she had graduated at the top her class.  I was amazed that people there have very little material wealth yet so much warmth and hospitality.  Jenny was so very grateful that I had helped her to reach her dream of becoming a nurse. While she was studying I...

  In a recent conversation with John, a former business executive who retired a year ago, I noticed once again, a common attitudinal pattern among some newly retired men and women.  John was recounting a chat with another retired friend who also feels guilty for enjoying simple pleasures, such as reading, which he did not previously have time for.  After achieving so much in the workplace and growing a net worth for decades, many executive seemingly feel compelled to keep on accomplishing.  If you are among those nearing this life transition are you now beginning to cultivate the art of giving yourself permission to enjoy a new way of life based on the re-evaluation of what really matters most to you at this time? If you have been driving yourself  and...

7  Questions and Practices to Help Balance both.   With our fast lifestyles and the increasing complexity of everything from technology to multiple demands and tasks to be accomplished, we are at risk of merely managing our life.  Consider for a moment how much more complex daily living has become compared to our great grand-parents.  Not only do most of us work extensively in and out of our homes as our ancestors did, we also must make time for fitness,  family life,  a social life, leisure, stress management, e-mails, personal/professional development and so on.  No wonder we end up frantically trying to just manage all this, from one day to the next. In the course of facilitating seminars for people approaching retirement, I often hear participants...

This time of year is effervescent with stimulating conversations taking place in events such as conferences, seminars, etc.  Having participated in two local (Vancouver) conferences this month, here’s a sampling of the gems I learned and contributed:   At the BC Human Resources Management Association conference:   Between Rick Mercer’s captivating stories, David Rock’s neuro-leadership, Jeremy Gutsche’s talk on innovation, and many more stellar presentations, the BCHRMA event was a feast for the mind.   –        Rick Mercer delivered a fun ride through his adventures across our vast landscape. Along with his twists of humour, he also moved the audience with anecdotes about the good causes he served by instigating popular fund-raising...

Just like beautiful flowers require the right conditions to blossom; your inner genius can flourish in full expression as you keep cultivating the conditions conducive to its unfolding. Over the years of coaching people who are eager to achieve and transcend their perceived limitations, I have observed an amazing paradox which characterizes this expansive journey. To the extent that they become able, through coaching, to completely accept and love themselves unconditionally as they are, they are ripe to reach the breakthrough milestone that unlocks the genius within and transforms their life. Much like a pointed arrow has two sides converging to fly to and reach its target, two seemingly opposing dynamics converge to bring about new levels of expansiveness and...

On May 3rd and 4th, Providence Health Care will host, in Vancouver, the conference entitled: Spirituality: The Hidden Ingredient in Health and Healing.  This event will unite many engaging speakers and provide invaluable concurrent sessions.  The session I will lead is entitled Therapeutic Poetry: Supporting the Healing Journey through the Language of the Soul. Please take a look at the PDF for early bird pricing and to register.