John O’Donohue was an Irish poet, priest and philosopher, whose tender gift for words could touch even the most defended of hearts. I recently came across this beautiful blessing of his (below) and shared it with a Broadview United Church friend, the Reverend Margaret Harper. She was as moved as I and chose to use [...]
Angels have been defined as “spiritual beings that act as compassionate agents of the Divine.” Do you believe these spiritual beings exist? Do you believe they’re here among us? I do and I’d like to write about two kinds, which will include a personal tribute to one. […]
With so many forces dividing humanity, some people figure this world should cease to be. As a matter of fact, one young man, Prince Ea, has recently gone viral advocating just that! In his first video, “Why I Think This World Should End,” he goes through a litany of woes that divide the human race, a veritable [...]
Omy K with Rwandan children Out of Africa A few days ago I boarded a flight in Amsterdam for Seattle, part of a long journey home to Victoria. I was returning from upwards of a month in Tanzania. Just before boarding, I was able to switch to a window seat. Lucky for [...]
Elephants and Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world! Photo by Amoghavarsha It takes a village to raise a child. Yes. And it sometimes takes a group of outside caring people to support that village to raise that child! Working [...]
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 [...]
Dr. Grant Stewart, retired trauma surgeon from Vancouver, and Dr. John Ducas, cardiologist from Winnipeg, with Zhen Yi and his dad in 2012 If you’re like me, you’ll cry when you find out. It makes me wonder about making a difference in someone’s life, especially a child’s. Can we ever know the extent of [...]
By Ramona McKean Part II Bethune International Peace Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China If ever a Western foreigner could provide a "bridge" of appreciation and understanding between China and Canada, it is Dr. Norman Bethune. Though he’s been gone for 75 years now, the mention of his name in China can still cause many to stop [...]
Part I: Pre-China Endeavors and Accomplishments Dr. Norman Bethune went to China in 1938 to offer support to a peasant army combatting Japanese aggression then died less than two years later. This year marks the 75th anniversary of his death in China. To this day Bethune, Báiqiú’ēn (白求恩), is still viewed a hero in China. Sadly, [...]
Including an Introduction to Dr. Norman Bethune On February 10, 2005, during Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year) in a rural area of China, I almost left this earthly plane. I can’t say I had a “near death experience” as I did not see lights, a tunnel, angels, etc. In fact, I did not even [...]
