Celebrating this time of the year...

This timeline may not be particularly accurate, but I believe it’s directionally sound and I’m almost certain we’ll land on something worthwhile — Jól leads to Yule, which leads to Yuletide, which finds its way to Christmastide; then Christmas, which finds its way to a massive year end commercial celebration we call, “The Holidays”. Rooted in the winter solstice, Jól marked the shortest day of the year and celebrated each day onward getting longer, making way to summer. Something that, when life was hard, was worth celebrating.

And we have been celebrating ever since.

Childhood memories of the smell of the Christmas tree, my grandmother’s perfectly wrapped gifts, turkey and my mother’s desserts keep the ghosts of Christmas past at bay and make this my favourite time of year. I still like to have a nicely decorated Christmas tree, turkey on the table and spend a slightly obsessive amount of time on wrapping paper. I also enjoy reflecting on what I’m celebrating.

I very much celebrate; the winter solstice*; telling my daughter I’ve yet again made her the perfect stocking; the wonderful circle of friends I am blessed with; my health; the generosity and kindness of the community I live in, and that the world is still full of wonder and possibility. In the spirt of this celebration, I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday with family and friends, and if you find yourself alone or in the dark, remember we’ve all been there, you aren’t alone, and the days are getting longer.

Light and love.

iamgpe

*It’s because I’m part Viking and I have the phenotypic marker to prove it.

Entering the post COVID world ...

In my part of the world the COVID-19 pandemic has become manageable and the normality of working alongside the virus is settling into the public psyche. What I just said may be a little contentious for some, but it’s safe to say we’d all agree managing through the last eighteen plus months has left its mark and will definitely echo through the next couple of years. I’d like to suggest many of us have become a little feral because of our isolation and our coping mechanisms — you can see it in personal styling, how people figuratively bare their teeth more, and how we’re all a little hesitant to venture outside. Many are still quite content to stay in the little nest they created to weather the storm.

For me I am trying to get back to some sense of normality in the post COVID world but admittedly still keep everything rather small and routine. I will get there. I had a craving for Italian the other day and found the whole concept of a menu foreign but eventually worked through it. All this had me reflecting on myself, what’s important, and how I can live a satisfying life. I’m a big believer in having a plan, reviewing that plan periodically and course correcting to move forward — it was an obvious time for me to to revisit what I’m doing and what guiding principles resonate with me as I continue my way.

I kept coming back to three ideas that have been rattling around in my head for some time, and if the internet is to be trusted, have been around for quite a while. As I venture into this post COVID world I believe these will serve me well.

gnōthi seauton Know thyself.

Aut inveniam viam aut faciam I shall either find a way or make one.

Memento mori Remember that you die.

Each has big meaning and an interpretation that I suspect has been debated over the centuries, and for that reason alone I like them. I was then reminded of my last post COVID consideration which came when a book* was recommended to me and I was introduced to this quote:

“I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” ― Etienne de Grellet

esto benignus Be Kind

On my web site I position myself as “an accomplished Sales and Marketing Leader with a reputation for effective strategy, creative problem solving and execution; highly experienced in sales and marketing management with a number of awards. Brings a wealth of cross-functional skill sets in product, price and marketing management as well as sales management and development” or as “a simple journeyman of life interested in the human condition and the stratagems along the way”. I think COVID has shown me that I am that “simple journeyman”, which I am content with because all the other stuff is all part of it anyway. Definitely the journey is going to be more interesting with my new signposts.

We will see where it takes me.

iamgpe

* The book is by Robin Sharma called “The Everyday Hero Manifesto”. If you are leader, or fashion yourself as one, his books are a must read, particularly “The Leader Who Had No Title”.

The reflection of a nation...

I was born into a lower middle class family and grew up in what could accurately be called white suburbia just outside of Toronto. At the time my knowledge of our indigenous population consisted of the stereotypes that came from westerns in the movies and on television and that Tecumseh was an Indian Chief who fought along side Sir Issac Brock to help defeat the Americans in the War of 1812 (it was actually more of a conflict we didn’t lose). They also offered great inspiration for professional sports franchises and of course, they lived on reserves far away from the schools I attended. I only bring this up to level set my ignorance.

Recently the psyche of a nation was put on display with the report of a mass grave of 215 indigenous children found on the grounds of a now boarded up Residential School, and soon after, other reports of unmarked graves found on the grounds of other such schools — the whispers of murdered children and cultural genocide were getting louder each day. This Residential School System, unique to Canada’s indigenous population, involved physically removing children from their families for years, stripping the children of their culture and language, and attempting to beat the Christian faith into them (and I say this most literally).

I am the first to say that a person should not pay for the “sins of their father” but since the last Residential School closed in the 1990s it’s impossible not to look in the mirror and question my complicity as a Canadian — even if it’s just for my ignorance. The complexity of the discussion is broad and is a layered compilation that spans over two centuries — European colonialism, religious expansionism, institutional racism, broken and misguided bureaucratic initiatives, cultural genocide, broken agreements, and broken promises. It begs the simple question, ‘“Where do I start”? My daughter asked me the other day what we can do about this and the only answer I could give was we need to shine a very bright light on the situation — we need to understand, we need to listen, and we need to acknowledge our history. We definitely can not let this slip back into the shadows where it’s destined to continue. In all of this, I’ve also come to conclusion Canada is a country that does not protect its children, and for this sin, will never become the country it says it is.

As well as shining that bright light on the situation, my humble suggestion is to better focus on our children; all our children. As a country, we need to ensure they are all safe, healthy and thriving. This will not address the sins of the past but it is a good place to start and will secure a better future.

So this is how I spent my Canada Day — reflecting and simmering with outrage.

It also struck me that Canadians may be (pound for pound) among the most dangerous people in the world… we are smart, have ample resources, and look how ruthlessly we treat our own children. When we say sorry, I wouldn’t assume we actually mean it.

iamgpe