Although separation and divorce are always painful, it may be the best option for some couples and their families
In the unstable world of mental illness, it is not surprising that existing marital problems can complicate things further, or that new marital tensions can be created. Many of my patients who come to me with anxiety or depression also have significant problems in their marriages. Whether they recognize it or not, these difficulties are…
At every turn, a mind-blowing vista opened before us. But always – far below – lay Lake O’Hara, an artist’s palette in aquamarine
A Red Deer friend described Lake O’Hara Lodge in Yoho National Park, B.C., as the most beautiful place she’d ever been. My wife and I have done our share of travel to exotic and wonderful places so my expectations for our three-day visit to O’Hara were tempered with a grain of salt. The lodge, accessible…
The great divide in sports is spurred by phoney patriotism and over-commercialization
When President George W. Bush took the mound at Yankee Stadium to throw out the first pitch following the horrific 9/11 attacks, sports helped bring the United States together as a country. As Howard Bryant recently wrote, sports were a “healing balm” for a hurting nation. But since then, pro sports owners and big-time college…
Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring to be performed at PRISMA. In 1913, the ballet unleashed a mad torrent of modernity on the members of Parisienne high society
On the May 29, 1913, the Paris premiere of The Rite of Spring took place at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees. The Russian ballet’s choreographer was Vaslav Nijinsky and the symphony’s composer was Igor Stravinsky. Together that night, almost exactly 105 years ago, they unleashed a mad torrent of modernity on the members of Parisienne high…
Earth Day Network’s anti-plastic campaign ignores how integral plastic is to a progressive, safe and healthy world
Earth Day Network (EDN) chose End Plastic Pollution as its theme for this year’s Earth Day. It’s just the tip of the anti-plastic activism that now consumes environmental extremists. A Google search on Plastic Pollution Coalition (a group claiming to represent “more than 500 member organizations” dedicated to “working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its…
From kind, and specific praise to participation medals for children, some gestures really matter in forming positive lives
The great American writer Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” No matter who we are and what level of success we’ve achieved, everyone appreciates a sincere compliment. It can brighten our day or even change the trajectory of our lives. Don Miguel Ruiz, in his classic book The…
Negative body image could be precursor to more serious illnesses, including anorexia, bulimia and body dysmorphic disorder
Most people experience occasional periods of dissatisfaction with the look of a certain body part or feature. Although this is discouraging, it is normal – particularly in our culture where we are barraged daily with media images of men and women with ‘perfect’ bodies. While some self-critique is to be expected, there are instances when…
From prison reform to better community services that address poverty and prevent crime, here's what Canada can do
By Sen. Raymonde Saint-Germain and Sen. Art Eggleton Over the last decade, the number of women in Canada’s jails has spiked by 30 per cent. Even more troubling, Indigenous female prisoners now account for 37 per cent of all incarcerated women, and 50 per cent of women in maximum security. According to the 2017 correctional…
Now the trick is to put the revenue to the best use: on public fitness and activity initiatives
The U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down a federal ban on sports gambling. My first thought was what took so long? Americans can legally bet on soybean futures, the rise and fall of stocks, horse races, dog races, state lotteries, real estate investments, church bingo games, the roll of dice and various card games. But…
Broader and better social interactions are key, according to researchers. So reach out to others
Psychologist Susan Pinker tells us that the key to living a long life may not be eating well and getting exercise. Her research, and that of Julianne Holt-Lunstad, demonstrates that an emphasis on close personal relationships and face-to-face interactions is actually the top predictor of longevity. In other words, if we have friends and family…
In the unstable world of mental illness, it is not surprising that existing marital problems can complicate things further, or that new marital tensions can be created. Many of my patients who come to me with anxiety or depression also have significant problems in their marriages. Whether they recognize it or not, these difficulties are…
