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On Friendship…or why do we need friends?
Friendship is a voluntary, mutual relationship between individuals characterized by affection, trust, support, and a sense of companionship. Unlike relationships based on family ties or professional obligation, friendship is chosen and maintained through shared interests, experiences, and emotional bonds. Friendship, as a social institution, has undergone significant transformations throughout history, serving diverse functions across different…
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The Quiet Nurture of Nature
This piece was written in the afterglow of a visit to one of the Gulf Islands (Canada) in the Pacific Northwest. The Quiet Nurture of Nature: How Awe Restores Mind, Body, and Spirit In a world that relentlessly asks us to move faster, improve productivity and efficiency, nature invites us to slow down. A tree-topped…
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Micro-Reflection: Focus on a commitment
Often, we take on multiple commitments. They may all feel like priorities, or present as opportunities too good to pass up. But have you ever focused on just one commitment at a time? When we are spread too thin, we are forced to divide our intentions and efforts and may ultimately feel we have not…
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Reflections on purpose
The word purpose has its origins in Middle English, Old French, and Latin. In Middle English, the verb Purposen denotes intention, aim, objective, plan, or goal. In Old French, the concept of purpose stems from the verb purposer or porposer, which denotes intention, proposing, or putting forward an idea, reflecting its original Latin meaning. The…
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Projects vs. tasks
Are you doing a project or a task? There is a time for each, but knowing the difference can help with the planning and execution of both. For example, the characteristics of a spring clean make it a bigger project, while daily tasks are gentler, smaller and non-project-based. Read the following descriptions to help you…
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How to overcome overwhelm with micro-actions
Who has not felt the burden of life piling up, culminating in what can only be described as overwhelm? (If you are that person, please get in touch!). Overwhelm is not as much about the actions we need to undertake and the things we must ultimately do as it is about the feelings around those…
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Thoughts on taking your time
At the start of a new year, motivation and inspiration lead us to set goals, make plans and of course, create deadlines. But a month or two in? The reality of last year’s time limits begins to cloud the dreamy haze of the new year. We may feel just as rushed and pressed as ever,…
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My favourite hack: mise-en-place
Mise-en-place (meez ahn plahs). Origin: French, used by chefs worldwide to indicate professional standards. Yes, this fancy-sounding French term is really my favourite hack! Although its origins are in French cooking and the standards to which professional chefs are held, it serves as a tool for all areas of life. Mise-en-place means to literally “put…
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Letting go of an expectation
According to the Oxford dictionary, the word “expectation” means a state of anticipating or believing something will happen. It can also refer to the thing itself that is anticipated, or to the basis for expecting something. Expectations can be beliefs, anticipations, hopes or desires. This season, is there an expectation–or belief, anticipation, hope or desire…
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The joy of solo travel:
Me, myself and I in Montreal A recent solo trip (read: vacation) to Montreal, Canada, led me to reflect upon both the anticipated joys and unexpected challenges of travelling on one’s own. The following is a list of things to consider before you embark on a solo vacay: Some of the many rewards of travelling…
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- Beautiful Minimalism
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- Micro-actions
- Mise-en-place
- Nature
- New Year
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- Projects
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aim awe beautifulminimalism beauty commitment community companionship defer delegate focus friendship frustration goal happiness history of friendship integrity intention joy love meaning mental health Micro-actions microreflection mindfulness minimalism mise-en-place nature New Year nurture objective organization Overwhelm philosophyoffriendship practice preparation purpose restoration stressrelief tips wellbeing YearCompass