Here it is September, my favourite month. Is it because it’s the month of my birth? I don’t know. Maybe, but it’s certainly not the only reason. Though it’s a busy month with school starting and people back to work after the long days of summer, I notice myself easing into a peaceful, reflective state [...]
Not missing the boat with your own life means awakening to the dream in your heart, following its wise guidance and breaking free of the confines of your little self! When you do this and get that your life is important— that you matter in the big picture—then you are set to make a difference in the world that [...]
Don’t you know yet? It is your light that lights the world." ~ Rumi I'd like to share some of my process of discovering life purpose. The particulars are mine, of course, but perhaps there will be something in those particulars that others can relate to. If so and my words are of service, then I am glad. If not, then perhaps [...]
Teresa Teng, Deng Lijun, 邓丽君 When I arrived in Harbin, China in 2004 to teach English, I wanted to learn at least a little Mandarin. Since music helps me a lot with other languages, I asked my friend Liyi for help. "Who can I listen to who sings Mandarin clearly and also [...]
To my present and future friends the world over Xīn Nián Kuài Lè (新年快乐), Happy New Year! May 2014 be a year of many blessings for you all, and may the dreams of your heart come true! "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the [...]
The Answer: Chris Hadfield Quote of the Day: “Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you, and start moving your life in that direction... Look at who you want to be, and start sculpting yourself into that person. You may not get exactly where you thought you'd be, but you will [...]
Photo by Steve Jurvetson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/6976736114) “The light that shone off her eyes was a place I could have stayed forever. In that moment we weren't our American selves. We weren't our Chinese selves. We were just mortals sitting together in that light that keeps us here. I want to dwell in that light [...]
When I was a teenager, I thought it was cool to be able to say "I love you" in other languages. Did knowing how to express that sentiment multi-lingually ever appeal to you too? As a high school English teacher in Canada, then as a college and university teacher in China, my students and I had [...]
