Happy Human Rights Day.
The UN General Assembly proclaims December 10th as Human Rights Day. It is a day to reflect on and celebrate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a standard of achievement for all citizens of the world. It is a day for remembering what the Declaration is all about: dignity, freedom, justice, and peace, and for supporting those same citizens who continue to fight for human rights. Defenders of all stripes, from activists, teachers, advocates, writers, and journalists, work to uphold the rights that we often take for granted. It is not an easy job and it will not win you many popularity contests. My hat goes off to those who continue to educate about human rights and to those who continue to work towards a just and fair world. Ask any one of them and they will tell you that while there is much success that deserves celebrating, there is much more work that still needs to be done.
wishing you all the beautiful rights and freedoms that you so richly deserve,
hk
http://www.amnesty.ca/write-for-rights
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml
Tuesday 10 December 2013
Friday 6 December 2013
Beautiful Peace
It seems like everyone is talking about Nelson Mandela today, his strength, resilience, sacrifices, successes, awards, character, and his magnificent legacy. I remember the day he walked free from jail, how huge of a step for humanity that day was, and how he chose to move forward in peace and love rather than in resentment and hate. I am sure that I do not have any more words on this extraordinary man than has already been said about him.
But something I heard on the radio this morning gave me pause. The announcer I was listening to wondered that since more than two decades have passed since Mandela walked free, does our current generation really and truly understand that history, who Mandela was, and what he stood for? Without a role model like Mandela for our youth, how will they be able to move the world along in a peaceful, positive, and productive way?
This irked me because it is an example of messages I keep hearing about how "kids these days" are lazy, unmotivated, and selfish, and how they do not know how to communicate other than through texting. When these huge generalizations blanket an entire population, there is also another message going on: that we, the older generation (s) are so much better, that we have done so much better. Do we really know this to be true? I think we do know that generalizing and judging gets us nowhere. We need to do less complaining about our young people and do more - much more - towards building them up so that they know their greatness.
Let me step up and say this: I have faith in our youth. We do not have to look far for examples on the beautiful work today's young people: Youth Challenge International is a global development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change; Operation Beautiful is a group that organizes the posting of anonymous notes of encouragement and strength in public places for other people to find; Free the Children is an international charity and educational partner, working both domestically and internationally to empower and enable youth to be agents of change; and there are dozens of peace organizations for youth.
Some of my faith is anecdotal because a lot of young people traipse through my house and spend time here. I have found that when they are given respect and attention, they demonstrate their articulate thoughts about social issues, politics, and environmental issues. They have good ideas. While volunteering for the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign a few weeks ago, I can safely say that at least half of our donors were young people, some of whom looked liked the kind of "punk" we like to dismiss as respectable because of their clothes, slang, tattoos, piercings, and how their cell phones are always in their hands. And they were often generous, beautifully generous.
Of course there are failings and weaknesses in today's youth, but my generation, and those generations before me have them too. We must stop considering ourselves as superior and open our eyes to our youth's tremendous potential for compassion, innovation, hard work, creativity, peace, love, and leadership.
We must let go of how we think our youth should be and start, as Mandela believed, leading from the back. It may look like a contradiction of what we have come to believe good leadership is, but leading from the back requires us to be patient and to have faith in those in front of us. Leading from the back means we need to feel so sure of ourselves that we can let some of our power go and not feel threatened. When we are confident enough to lead from the back, we will be knocked out by the beauty in front of us. And I bet we will know peace.
This is a longer post than usual. Thank you for your patience for my many words and thank you for reading.
wishing you the kind of beautiful day of peace that Nelson Mandela worked so hard towards,
hk
But something I heard on the radio this morning gave me pause. The announcer I was listening to wondered that since more than two decades have passed since Mandela walked free, does our current generation really and truly understand that history, who Mandela was, and what he stood for? Without a role model like Mandela for our youth, how will they be able to move the world along in a peaceful, positive, and productive way?
This irked me because it is an example of messages I keep hearing about how "kids these days" are lazy, unmotivated, and selfish, and how they do not know how to communicate other than through texting. When these huge generalizations blanket an entire population, there is also another message going on: that we, the older generation (s) are so much better, that we have done so much better. Do we really know this to be true? I think we do know that generalizing and judging gets us nowhere. We need to do less complaining about our young people and do more - much more - towards building them up so that they know their greatness.
Mandela said: "Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great
generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
Let me step up and say this: I have faith in our youth. We do not have to look far for examples on the beautiful work today's young people: Youth Challenge International is a global development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change; Operation Beautiful is a group that organizes the posting of anonymous notes of encouragement and strength in public places for other people to find; Free the Children is an international charity and educational partner, working both domestically and internationally to empower and enable youth to be agents of change; and there are dozens of peace organizations for youth.
Some of my faith is anecdotal because a lot of young people traipse through my house and spend time here. I have found that when they are given respect and attention, they demonstrate their articulate thoughts about social issues, politics, and environmental issues. They have good ideas. While volunteering for the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign a few weeks ago, I can safely say that at least half of our donors were young people, some of whom looked liked the kind of "punk" we like to dismiss as respectable because of their clothes, slang, tattoos, piercings, and how their cell phones are always in their hands. And they were often generous, beautifully generous.
Of course there are failings and weaknesses in today's youth, but my generation, and those generations before me have them too. We must stop considering ourselves as superior and open our eyes to our youth's tremendous potential for compassion, innovation, hard work, creativity, peace, love, and leadership.
Mandela said: “Lead from the back.”
We must let go of how we think our youth should be and start, as Mandela believed, leading from the back. It may look like a contradiction of what we have come to believe good leadership is, but leading from the back requires us to be patient and to have faith in those in front of us. Leading from the back means we need to feel so sure of ourselves that we can let some of our power go and not feel threatened. When we are confident enough to lead from the back, we will be knocked out by the beauty in front of us. And I bet we will know peace.
This is a longer post than usual. Thank you for your patience for my many words and thank you for reading.
wishing you the kind of beautiful day of peace that Nelson Mandela worked so hard towards,
hk
Thursday 5 December 2013
5 Beautiful Reasons to Enjoy Winter
It is easy to be happy in the summer with all it's sunshine and warmth and easy living. I live in a part of the world where in the winter it is not unusual to wake up to -29 degrees Celsius (that's about -20 Fahrenheit to my American readers) that is actually -42 when one factors in the windchill. Finding beauty takes effort on days like this.
1. Snow. It's a barrier for wheelchairs and other devices people use for mobility and it's cold. However, a few blog posts ago I wrote about the incredible photography of Alexey Kljatov, (ChaoticMind75) whose pictures of individual snowflakes will not only take your breath away, but make you never look the same way at snow again. Furthermore, on the right evening, when the sky is clear, a particular shade of dark-denim blue, and sprinkled with stars, I will think of my friend, Kara, and how when we once lived together, we made an adventure out of shoveling snow together. And I always smile.
2. Lights. They may be one of the things that most people, despite their religious or non-religious backgrounds. Lights shining out on dark, cold nights reflect hope and generally just make people feel better.
3. Sledding. Not my thing, but it is for my kid. She lives to sled.
4. Soup. And hot chocolate, hot apple cider, stews, pans of lasagne, mandarin (when I was a kid we called them "zipper" oranges, and cookies.
5. People. It is just a personal theory but I think winter may bring out the best in us. Many people try to be happier and more generous during this time of year. It is as though winter, in it's challenging weather, reminds us of all the things we are thankful for and this gratitude encourages reaching out to others who have less to appreciate. Because for some, it doesn't matter whether it is Christmas or Kwanza or Chanukah or Winter Solstice, they are still hungry or depressed or poor - or all 3. Winter can help us remember that we are all in this life together and that we need to take care of each other.
I'm sure there are a lot more reasons, but like I said, beauty takes effort on days like this.
wishing you your own beautiful reasons to enjoy winter,
hk
1. Snow. It's a barrier for wheelchairs and other devices people use for mobility and it's cold. However, a few blog posts ago I wrote about the incredible photography of Alexey Kljatov, (ChaoticMind75) whose pictures of individual snowflakes will not only take your breath away, but make you never look the same way at snow again. Furthermore, on the right evening, when the sky is clear, a particular shade of dark-denim blue, and sprinkled with stars, I will think of my friend, Kara, and how when we once lived together, we made an adventure out of shoveling snow together. And I always smile.
2. Lights. They may be one of the things that most people, despite their religious or non-religious backgrounds. Lights shining out on dark, cold nights reflect hope and generally just make people feel better.
3. Sledding. Not my thing, but it is for my kid. She lives to sled.
4. Soup. And hot chocolate, hot apple cider, stews, pans of lasagne, mandarin (when I was a kid we called them "zipper" oranges, and cookies.
5. People. It is just a personal theory but I think winter may bring out the best in us. Many people try to be happier and more generous during this time of year. It is as though winter, in it's challenging weather, reminds us of all the things we are thankful for and this gratitude encourages reaching out to others who have less to appreciate. Because for some, it doesn't matter whether it is Christmas or Kwanza or Chanukah or Winter Solstice, they are still hungry or depressed or poor - or all 3. Winter can help us remember that we are all in this life together and that we need to take care of each other.
I'm sure there are a lot more reasons, but like I said, beauty takes effort on days like this.
wishing you your own beautiful reasons to enjoy winter,
hk
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Magical Books
"She was fascinated with words.
To her, words were things of beauty,
each like a magical powder or potion
that could be combined with other words to create powerful spells."
~ Dean Koontz
hk
Sunday 24 November 2013
Green is the Beautiful Colour
A few hours ago, the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the 2013 CFL Grey Cup. A lot has already been reported. A lot will continue to be said and written about. We will likely talk about this particular Grey Cup for years, even decades, because it was truly an historic once in a lifetime win.
Rider fans have popular claim that they are the hardest-core fans in the country - nay, the world, and
you would think the story would be narrowed to Saskatchewan residents but it is not. You will find Roughrider fans everywhere, whether they are people who were born here or once lived here, or who have some other connection to the province. To be part of this social phenomena is nothing short of remarkable and tonight I am left again amazed at how much power sport has to bring us together and make us feel like we are members of a positive and hopeful force, and despite our differences, meaningfully engaged in our community. And in a world where we really need each other, that is a beautiful thing.
It is also just very cool to live in a place where we make helmets out of watermelons, cowboy hats from beer boxes, and have a gopher - an actual rodent - for a mascot.
wishing you beautiful Rider pride,
hk
Rider fans have popular claim that they are the hardest-core fans in the country - nay, the world, and
you would think the story would be narrowed to Saskatchewan residents but it is not. You will find Roughrider fans everywhere, whether they are people who were born here or once lived here, or who have some other connection to the province. To be part of this social phenomena is nothing short of remarkable and tonight I am left again amazed at how much power sport has to bring us together and make us feel like we are members of a positive and hopeful force, and despite our differences, meaningfully engaged in our community. And in a world where we really need each other, that is a beautiful thing.
It is also just very cool to live in a place where we make helmets out of watermelons, cowboy hats from beer boxes, and have a gopher - an actual rodent - for a mascot.
wishing you beautiful Rider pride,
hk
Wednesday 20 November 2013
Snowflake Surprise
It is -29 with the windchill in Saskatoon today and our city is covered with a fresh blanket of fluffy white snow. It is no secret that I am generally not a big fan of cold and snow. It is often, or to be completely truthful, it is almost always a complication, a barrier, and a frustration for wheelchair users.
Except.
However.
I just came across these images by Russian photographer, Alexey Kljatov, (ChaoticMind75) that, although do not make my issues with snow any better, certainly do make me see it a little differently. His photos of snowflakes are so beautiful you will probably never look at snow the same way again. This was the last place I expected to find any beauty today. What a fantastic surprise!
For the full story on how he made these photos using the most humble of equipment, and to see more breathtaking photogaphs, please visit his Flickr page or:
http://500px.com/chaoticmind75
http://www.steves-digicams.com/news/must_see_photos_macro_snowflakes_by_alexey_kljatov.html
http://twistedsifter.com/2013/11/macro-close-ups-of-snowflakes-alexey-kljatov/
wishing that you too experience a beautiful surprise today,
hk
Monday 18 November 2013
Be Yourself
You know who they are. Those impossibly gorgeous, popular, ever-cheerful girls you went to high school with. I ran into one of these girls - now all grown up of course with teenagers of her own - the other day. She's still stunning. She is still sparkly and enviable. And she still has that same lovely personality.
For some of us, 25 years does not mean anything. We are still about two emotional steps away from our high school days. That's because they are formative years. I am always surprised at how often teenage experiences, like first love, are dismissed by adults, as though they were not real or important. I believe the opposite, that the growth, identity development, social dynamics, love and heartbreak experiences are all deeply significant. And yes, an adult life is rife with conflict, problems, stress, intensity, and depth that most teenagers have not even imagined yet, however, the things that we experienced as adolescents still significantly mark us.
If only we could have known then what we know now. I wish I had known that all of the young women I went to school with were sparkly and beautiful and had gifts. If only I had known that none of them, including me, had anything to apologize for, or be ashamed of. I wish I had known that being yourself was all that really and truly mattered. That it still is. And that there is less that separates us from the impossibly gorgeous girls that you went to high school with than you thought.
wishing you a day where you can beautifully be yourself and know that is enough,
hk
For some of us, 25 years does not mean anything. We are still about two emotional steps away from our high school days. That's because they are formative years. I am always surprised at how often teenage experiences, like first love, are dismissed by adults, as though they were not real or important. I believe the opposite, that the growth, identity development, social dynamics, love and heartbreak experiences are all deeply significant. And yes, an adult life is rife with conflict, problems, stress, intensity, and depth that most teenagers have not even imagined yet, however, the things that we experienced as adolescents still significantly mark us.
If only we could have known then what we know now. I wish I had known that all of the young women I went to school with were sparkly and beautiful and had gifts. If only I had known that none of them, including me, had anything to apologize for, or be ashamed of. I wish I had known that being yourself was all that really and truly mattered. That it still is. And that there is less that separates us from the impossibly gorgeous girls that you went to high school with than you thought.
wishing you a day where you can beautifully be yourself and know that is enough,
hk
Thursday 14 November 2013
Help and Friendship
It has been a difficult few days.
The loss of a beloved friend. 3 different doctor's appointments. Snow. And some things other wheelchair users understand: a burn on my leg from (stupidly) handling a pot of boiling water, a chunk of my thumb that, having been caught on a sharp piece of my new backrest, was left on the track floor from when I went wheeling last week, swollen feet from too much sitting, and spasms keeping me awake at night. And worst: people with misguided attitudes about disability, competence, and help.
For example, as I waited for the doctor on one of the said appointments, a nurse approached me with apologies for the long wait. I said I was fine. "But," she insisted, "I saw you crying." I explained I just checked my email and learned that a friend of mine had passed.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry," she said. "Was she someone who helped you with your chores?"
My first thought was, no, that's what my children are for, but then I saw she wasn't joking. Why would she assume I needed help with my chores, and even if I did, why would that be her first question? Did she think someone would only be my friend because he or she provided help with my chores? I could write a lot about this, but all I will say is: I don't need a lot of help doing chores and when I do, and I ask for that help, I think it demonstrates strength, not weakness. This is true for ALL of us, not just people with disabilities. I believe we are an interdependent species. I think my friend believed that too.
I wanted to say that she helped me all right, because she was the kind of person who had faith in me and who showed up in various ways over and over again to encourage me. She was one of the very first women I ever knew who called herself a feminist, who helped me secure 2 scholarships so I could get an education, who stood up for what she believed in even when, and especially when, it wasn't popular. She was a fiercely proud Canadian who took her citizenship so seriously that she once told me she always voted at advanced polls just in case she died before election day because even if she was dead she wanted her vote to count. Yes, she was a nut. She was beautiful and strong and smart and mighty, and I am better for having known her. So I answered, "Oh, she helped me plenty, but not in the ways you are thinking of."
Wishing you a day to remember the beautiful ways your friends help you,
hk
The loss of a beloved friend. 3 different doctor's appointments. Snow. And some things other wheelchair users understand: a burn on my leg from (stupidly) handling a pot of boiling water, a chunk of my thumb that, having been caught on a sharp piece of my new backrest, was left on the track floor from when I went wheeling last week, swollen feet from too much sitting, and spasms keeping me awake at night. And worst: people with misguided attitudes about disability, competence, and help.
For example, as I waited for the doctor on one of the said appointments, a nurse approached me with apologies for the long wait. I said I was fine. "But," she insisted, "I saw you crying." I explained I just checked my email and learned that a friend of mine had passed.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry," she said. "Was she someone who helped you with your chores?"
My first thought was, no, that's what my children are for, but then I saw she wasn't joking. Why would she assume I needed help with my chores, and even if I did, why would that be her first question? Did she think someone would only be my friend because he or she provided help with my chores? I could write a lot about this, but all I will say is: I don't need a lot of help doing chores and when I do, and I ask for that help, I think it demonstrates strength, not weakness. This is true for ALL of us, not just people with disabilities. I believe we are an interdependent species. I think my friend believed that too.
I wanted to say that she helped me all right, because she was the kind of person who had faith in me and who showed up in various ways over and over again to encourage me. She was one of the very first women I ever knew who called herself a feminist, who helped me secure 2 scholarships so I could get an education, who stood up for what she believed in even when, and especially when, it wasn't popular. She was a fiercely proud Canadian who took her citizenship so seriously that she once told me she always voted at advanced polls just in case she died before election day because even if she was dead she wanted her vote to count. Yes, she was a nut. She was beautiful and strong and smart and mighty, and I am better for having known her. So I answered, "Oh, she helped me plenty, but not in the ways you are thinking of."
Wishing you a day to remember the beautiful ways your friends help you,
hk
Sunday 10 November 2013
Cooking and Writing - It's All The Same
Canadian Chef Michael Smith spoke at Saskatoon's Word on the Street Literary Festival this fall. He spoke passionately about food, about real, beautiful, home-cooked food made with creativity, fun, and love. When I lined up to meet him and ask if he would sign my cookbook, I told him how I really heard his message because I seem to be cooking ALL the time - for my family, my family's friends, the neighbours, for whomever pops by. I am happy doing this, but I also told him that as a writer, I am afraid that the cooking is interfering with my writing.
This seemed to resonate with him. Now, Michael Smith is a very tall man. Sitting in my wheelchair, I am a very short woman. However, he squatted lower and leaned in to look me square in the face and he told me clearly that it is - the cooking and the writing - all the same thing. It is all creativity. He told me he thinks I am likely a better writer because of how I cook and vice versa. One feeds the other. I left energized, validated in my life choices. Today, I was reminded as to why I think he is right.
My energy was low today. I was not feeling the spark of anything creative. It is cold outside and I would like to get under the covers and sleep. I tried not to worry about it; low energy days happen. However, as my husband and daughter layered up and headed out to go sledding at the park, I thought that on a day as cold as this it would be nice for them to come home to hot chocolate. I did not have any pre-packaged mix anywhere, so I thought I would make something up. Chef Smith would want me to improvise, be creative I told myself. I've made hot chocolate from scratch before but it has been a long time. What emerged is beautiful, the best I have tasted in probably, well, ever. And I want to share this joy with you.
Warm about 3 cups of milk in a saucepan. Add 4 and a half ounces of chopped unsweetened chocolate, about 2/3 cup of sugar, and approximately 1/3 of semisweet chocolate chips. Whisk until blended. Add a healthy glug of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of cinnamon. And oh yes, I added the leftover coffee from the french press we made this morning. You can use whatever combination of ingredients you choose. Improvise. Be creative. Drink heartily. Share with others.
Thanks for helping me find my spark today, Chef Smith. You are right. It is all the same thing.
wishing you the spark of something beautiful,
hk
This seemed to resonate with him. Now, Michael Smith is a very tall man. Sitting in my wheelchair, I am a very short woman. However, he squatted lower and leaned in to look me square in the face and he told me clearly that it is - the cooking and the writing - all the same thing. It is all creativity. He told me he thinks I am likely a better writer because of how I cook and vice versa. One feeds the other. I left energized, validated in my life choices. Today, I was reminded as to why I think he is right.
My energy was low today. I was not feeling the spark of anything creative. It is cold outside and I would like to get under the covers and sleep. I tried not to worry about it; low energy days happen. However, as my husband and daughter layered up and headed out to go sledding at the park, I thought that on a day as cold as this it would be nice for them to come home to hot chocolate. I did not have any pre-packaged mix anywhere, so I thought I would make something up. Chef Smith would want me to improvise, be creative I told myself. I've made hot chocolate from scratch before but it has been a long time. What emerged is beautiful, the best I have tasted in probably, well, ever. And I want to share this joy with you.
Warm about 3 cups of milk in a saucepan. Add 4 and a half ounces of chopped unsweetened chocolate, about 2/3 cup of sugar, and approximately 1/3 of semisweet chocolate chips. Whisk until blended. Add a healthy glug of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of cinnamon. And oh yes, I added the leftover coffee from the french press we made this morning. You can use whatever combination of ingredients you choose. Improvise. Be creative. Drink heartily. Share with others.
Thanks for helping me find my spark today, Chef Smith. You are right. It is all the same thing.
wishing you the spark of something beautiful,
hk
Tuesday 5 November 2013
Superman!
It is a full 5 days since Halloween but since most of us still have leftover candy, a few of us still have pumpkins around, and a couple of us have not gotten around to putting the costumes into storage, I can still feel okay about posting a beautiful Halloween story.
Actually, it is not even a Halloween story. It is a story about having a kid with a disability and choosing to see the possibilities, at least for a day.
A friend of mine in new Brunswick shared a photo of the costume her friend made for his son who uses a wheelchair. It was so clever I did not even see his wheelchair at first glance. I asked this dad's permission to post it here, but since then the photo was also published in the Huffington Post. You simply must check it out, but prepare to have your mind blown: http://instagram.com/p/gJYHpugHOH/#
And the Huffington Post article can be found here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/02/awesome-people-who-used-their-challenges-to-make-amazing-halloween-costumes_n_4192493.html
wishing you a day full of beautiful possibilities,
hk
Actually, it is not even a Halloween story. It is a story about having a kid with a disability and choosing to see the possibilities, at least for a day.
A friend of mine in new Brunswick shared a photo of the costume her friend made for his son who uses a wheelchair. It was so clever I did not even see his wheelchair at first glance. I asked this dad's permission to post it here, but since then the photo was also published in the Huffington Post. You simply must check it out, but prepare to have your mind blown: http://instagram.com/p/gJYHpugHOH/#
And the Huffington Post article can be found here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/02/awesome-people-who-used-their-challenges-to-make-amazing-halloween-costumes_n_4192493.html
wishing you a day full of beautiful possibilities,
hk
Monday 4 November 2013
Beautiful Snow
“The snow was endless, a heavy blanket on the outdoors; it had a way
about it. A beauty. But I knew that, like many things, beauty could be
deceiving.”
― Cambria Hebert, Whiteout
― Cambria Hebert, Whiteout
It's officially the worst day of the year for Saskatchewan wheelchair users. The snow, deep and white, has arrived.
The snow brings a layer of complication to the lives of those of us with mobility disabilities that can not be denied. Overnight, life has just become much more difficult in many ways, from wheeling our chairs to transportation to and from the places we need to go to staying warm because of limited blood circulation. We lose a little mobility because of the snow, and with that, a chunk of freedom.
Oh yes, when I really try, I can see the beauty in it. Snow is fresh and clean. It blankets the ground; it makes the trees glisten. It sings of rosy cheeks, approaching holidays, and of fun games and sports played outside. Snow brings out the desire for steamy hot beverages, warm cozy blankets, woolen mittens, and hearty meals served out of a big pot. This snow reminds me of something I have often said, "Anybody can have a good day when things are going well. It is another thing altogether to have a good day when things are not going well."
wishing you a good and beautiful day,
hk
Friday 1 November 2013
Beautiful Help-Portrait
“It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s
another thing to make a portrait of who they are.” – Paul Caponigro, photographer, visual artist
It has been said that a great photograph is not taken, it is made. Help-Portrait is a community of photographers around the world who make portraits of people who would otherwise not be able to afford it.
Founded by Celebrity Photographer Jeremy Cowart, Help-Portrait takes portraits of people who can not afford to have their photograph professionally taken - photos of them by themselves or with loved ones (pets included, of course). The photos are then given to the recipient. Homeless people, the elderly, single parents, kids without parents, and families who are struggling to put food on the table and whose last priority on a tight budget is to have a picture taken are examples of those that Help-Portrait work with, and the result is often joy, tears, and deep-felt validation. After all, a beautiful, professionally taken picture that captures who you are is an affirmation of a person's intrinsic value as a human being. This is something everyone should have the chance to experience. Help-Portrait epitomizes what I try to capture in this blog - they are finding the beauty in people who don't often (or ever) have their beauty recognized.
This year in Saskatoon, a Help-Portrait event will be held on November 30 at the Canadian Paraplegic Association and December 7 at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge.
Help-Portrait Saskatoon is still looking for donations and volunteers. Money donated will go towards covering the cost of make-up supplies, printing supplies, equipment rental or to purchase and food for those in attendance.
wishing you the beauty of seeing who you truly are,
hk
Tuesday 29 October 2013
Trick or Treat!
Halloween is nearly here, the night where, according to old Celtic beliefs, the dead can cross over to the living. While these days Halloween is much more about dressing up and getting candy than it is about unearthly spirits, and not everyone in the world observes the occasion, many countries from Canada to Australia do, and there you can expect to find parties going on and trick-or-treaters running from house to house.
A friend of mine recently told me she had no trick-or-treaters come to her house at all last year, while still another friend guiltily admitted that she *hates* children ringing her doorbell and that she finds the whole event ridiculous and annoying. I found both of these stories alarming because on what other day of the year do we allow our children to be this spirited and silly, to step onto their neighbour's doorstep and learn that the world can be a welcoming place? And consider this, how often to we get the chance to open our home to strangers and actually give them something? Don't we want every chance we can get for our children to discover how beautifully generous and kind strangers can be? When we spend so much of our time educating them on how to protect themselves, how to be wary of strangers, on being careful in this difficult world, isn't it wonderful that we have at least one day a year when they can knock on their neighbour's door and be greeted with a smile and given a treat? Halloween can be a beautiful opportunity to learn about, and practice, generosity, kindness, community, and simple, old-fashioned fun.
wishing you a fun and beautiful Halloween,
hk
A friend of mine recently told me she had no trick-or-treaters come to her house at all last year, while still another friend guiltily admitted that she *hates* children ringing her doorbell and that she finds the whole event ridiculous and annoying. I found both of these stories alarming because on what other day of the year do we allow our children to be this spirited and silly, to step onto their neighbour's doorstep and learn that the world can be a welcoming place? And consider this, how often to we get the chance to open our home to strangers and actually give them something? Don't we want every chance we can get for our children to discover how beautifully generous and kind strangers can be? When we spend so much of our time educating them on how to protect themselves, how to be wary of strangers, on being careful in this difficult world, isn't it wonderful that we have at least one day a year when they can knock on their neighbour's door and be greeted with a smile and given a treat? Halloween can be a beautiful opportunity to learn about, and practice, generosity, kindness, community, and simple, old-fashioned fun.
wishing you a fun and beautiful Halloween,
hk
Tuesday 22 October 2013
It's a secret!
Have you ever known someone who manages, despite the madness or sadness in his or her life, to see something good, something beautiful? Here's the secret:
You need to let the things
that would ordinarily bore you
suddenly thrill you.
~ Andy Warhol
wishing you the courage to be that person today,
hk
Monday 21 October 2013
Be Kind!
In the last 2 weeks I have displaced a rib, fallen out of my wheelchair while on a charity fundraising walk (and on a bridge at night no less), nursed a urinary tract infection, and dealt with the world's worst cold (well, maybe not the world's worst, but it was awful). Having been away for a few days, I checked out what is happening on social media, and if I had enough voice to squeal, I would have. Instead, I just pumped my arms in the air when I saw this:
November 1st is Random Acts of Kindness Day in my city. Although this is happening in Saskatoon, it is actually part of a national movement where 10 cities in Canada will participate. The Saskatoon Community Foundation is proud to be promoting this 'pay it forward' movement and you can learn more at: http://www.saskatooncommunityfoundation.ca.
Imagine the fun you could have!
- buy someone a coffee
- tip someone who rarely, if ever, gets tipped (a gas attendant, for example)
- bring treats for your co-workers
- take cookies to a neighbour
- pick up some litter and put it in the garbage
- take a bundle of flowers to a nursing home
The point is not to over-think this, but rather keep kindness in your consciousness that day and act. You don't need to spend a lot, if any, money. You don't need to make a grand gesture. Just be kind. How beautiful is that?
And if you don't have a designated day in your home city, who cares? Why wouldn't you do something kind and see what happens? You may never see the outcome of your kindness but you will notice how it makes you feel to do it. Leave a comment or send me a message - I love to hear about your beauty.
wishing you a kind and beautiful day,
hk
November 1st is Random Acts of Kindness Day in my city. Although this is happening in Saskatoon, it is actually part of a national movement where 10 cities in Canada will participate. The Saskatoon Community Foundation is proud to be promoting this 'pay it forward' movement and you can learn more at: http://www.saskatooncommunityfoundation.ca.
Imagine the fun you could have!
- buy someone a coffee
- tip someone who rarely, if ever, gets tipped (a gas attendant, for example)
- bring treats for your co-workers
- take cookies to a neighbour
- pick up some litter and put it in the garbage
- take a bundle of flowers to a nursing home
The point is not to over-think this, but rather keep kindness in your consciousness that day and act. You don't need to spend a lot, if any, money. You don't need to make a grand gesture. Just be kind. How beautiful is that?
And if you don't have a designated day in your home city, who cares? Why wouldn't you do something kind and see what happens? You may never see the outcome of your kindness but you will notice how it makes you feel to do it. Leave a comment or send me a message - I love to hear about your beauty.
wishing you a kind and beautiful day,
hk
Wednesday 16 October 2013
5 Beautiful Things About Social Media
I read an article yesterday about ways to be "insufferable" on facebook: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wait-but-why/annoying-facebook-behavior_b_4081038.html
A quick search led me to countless essays that complain about how people behave on social media and the most annoying facebook personalities - the narcissist, the constant status-updater, the shameless self-promoter, the baby-bore...and on it goes. I laughed at some of this because we all have friends who do this, and then I cringed because I would all be lying if I was not sometimes guilty of some of these social media crimes. We can all be insufferable. We can all be judgmental, selfish, self-absorbed, attention-craving braggarts. Absolutely.
However, there is more to Facebook posts and Twitter feeds than that. Although you won't find many essays on them, there are many beautiful things to see, hear, and experience on social media. Here are a few I came up with:
1. Connection. Most of us need connection; we need social interaction to be happy. Sure, we may have added friends that we do not know well, or "friended" those who we barely spoke to in high school, but I know I am not the only one who feels good about connecting with friends I may not have seen in years but who I still care about. It is nice to see pictures of my second cousin's children because she lives in England and it is fun to wish my cousin Happy Birthday and comment on what we are each reading since I live in Canada and she lives in Indonesia and we rarely see each other in person. Having a disability, I am grateful for the several connections I have with others around the world who also have disabilities. We talk and we share all because of social media. These connections make my life happier. Furthermore, it is great to connect with people I meet at events, get to know them better through social media, then possibly further connect in person later on. Beyond friends and acquaintances, we can connect with your community, your interests, and different organizations, which allows you to stay informed, which leads me to number 2.
2. Information. You can learn a lot through social media whether it is a new recipe or a community event you want to attend, you can also see what other people are saying about it. As a country, nay, as an entire planet, think of all we learned from Commander Chris Hadfield's tweets and facebook posts during his recent expedition on the International Space Station! Breaking news, well-written essays, or topics that you can learn about that you were not even previously aware of, social media can be a great source of opportunity, learning, and knowledge.
3. Charity. Some recent studies (for example, http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2013/sep/26/charity-leaders-social-media-mba) have revealed that 8 out of 10 are more likely to trust and buy from an organization whose CEO and leadership team use social media. By sharing stories and news items, charities can connect with their supporters in new and meaningful ways through social media, and when that happens, deeper bonds are created and maintained. From my own experience of rappelling down a building in The Drop Zone fundraiser for Easter Seals a few years ago, I can say that I generated more donations from online fundraising than any face-to-face asks that I made. Social media, quite frankly, made fundraising beautifully easy.
4. Fun. Don't we all need a little more fun in our lives? Isn't it fun to have a banter of words with a friend? To post a Halloween pictures? To pin out-of-the-box creative ideas on out Pinterest boards? To wish our friends happy birthday and remind them how great they are? Social media can be entertaining, amusing, light-hearted, and fun.
5. Beauty. I bet you were wondering when I'd get to this. Oh, I know. There are countless posters and jokes that are insulting and rude out there. Sure. There are also countless posters, quotes, images, and "jokes" posted by people who are trying to bring some beauty, positivity, joy, and light to social media. Just one: https://www.facebook.com/PositivityLoveAndAllThingsGood?fref=ts
There is no question that social media should not replace face-to-face interaction, checking in with each other on the phone, going out for coffee, and spending quality time together. There is also the question of what content should remain private and what is okay to be public. These questions and many more need to continually be asked because (I have said it before and I will say it again) the Internet is a baby and we are only just beginning to figure out how to live and work with it. We have a lot to learn. But let's take a moment to quit complaining about it and the people who use it, and instead reflect on the beauty it brings to our lives.
wishing you fewer complaints and more beautiful stuff,
hk
A quick search led me to countless essays that complain about how people behave on social media and the most annoying facebook personalities - the narcissist, the constant status-updater, the shameless self-promoter, the baby-bore...and on it goes. I laughed at some of this because we all have friends who do this, and then I cringed because I would all be lying if I was not sometimes guilty of some of these social media crimes. We can all be insufferable. We can all be judgmental, selfish, self-absorbed, attention-craving braggarts. Absolutely.
However, there is more to Facebook posts and Twitter feeds than that. Although you won't find many essays on them, there are many beautiful things to see, hear, and experience on social media. Here are a few I came up with:
1. Connection. Most of us need connection; we need social interaction to be happy. Sure, we may have added friends that we do not know well, or "friended" those who we barely spoke to in high school, but I know I am not the only one who feels good about connecting with friends I may not have seen in years but who I still care about. It is nice to see pictures of my second cousin's children because she lives in England and it is fun to wish my cousin Happy Birthday and comment on what we are each reading since I live in Canada and she lives in Indonesia and we rarely see each other in person. Having a disability, I am grateful for the several connections I have with others around the world who also have disabilities. We talk and we share all because of social media. These connections make my life happier. Furthermore, it is great to connect with people I meet at events, get to know them better through social media, then possibly further connect in person later on. Beyond friends and acquaintances, we can connect with your community, your interests, and different organizations, which allows you to stay informed, which leads me to number 2.
2. Information. You can learn a lot through social media whether it is a new recipe or a community event you want to attend, you can also see what other people are saying about it. As a country, nay, as an entire planet, think of all we learned from Commander Chris Hadfield's tweets and facebook posts during his recent expedition on the International Space Station! Breaking news, well-written essays, or topics that you can learn about that you were not even previously aware of, social media can be a great source of opportunity, learning, and knowledge.
3. Charity. Some recent studies (for example, http://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2013/sep/26/charity-leaders-social-media-mba) have revealed that 8 out of 10 are more likely to trust and buy from an organization whose CEO and leadership team use social media. By sharing stories and news items, charities can connect with their supporters in new and meaningful ways through social media, and when that happens, deeper bonds are created and maintained. From my own experience of rappelling down a building in The Drop Zone fundraiser for Easter Seals a few years ago, I can say that I generated more donations from online fundraising than any face-to-face asks that I made. Social media, quite frankly, made fundraising beautifully easy.
4. Fun. Don't we all need a little more fun in our lives? Isn't it fun to have a banter of words with a friend? To post a Halloween pictures? To pin out-of-the-box creative ideas on out Pinterest boards? To wish our friends happy birthday and remind them how great they are? Social media can be entertaining, amusing, light-hearted, and fun.
5. Beauty. I bet you were wondering when I'd get to this. Oh, I know. There are countless posters and jokes that are insulting and rude out there. Sure. There are also countless posters, quotes, images, and "jokes" posted by people who are trying to bring some beauty, positivity, joy, and light to social media. Just one: https://www.facebook.com/PositivityLoveAndAllThingsGood?fref=ts
There is no question that social media should not replace face-to-face interaction, checking in with each other on the phone, going out for coffee, and spending quality time together. There is also the question of what content should remain private and what is okay to be public. These questions and many more need to continually be asked because (I have said it before and I will say it again) the Internet is a baby and we are only just beginning to figure out how to live and work with it. We have a lot to learn. But let's take a moment to quit complaining about it and the people who use it, and instead reflect on the beauty it brings to our lives.
wishing you fewer complaints and more beautiful stuff,
hk
Wednesday 9 October 2013
Lennon's legacy
John Lennon was born on this day in 1940. He was, of course, one of the Beatles, as well as a songwriter, musician, artist, and peace activist. He was known as the "smart Beatle" and he was outspoken, witty, clever, and beautifully gifted. Although he was murdered in December of 1980, his musical and peace-loving legacies live on.
How fortunate he was to have left such a long-lasting legacy. Perhaps it has something to do with my recent birthday causing me to reflect on what I hope one day my own legacy will be, but this idea of leaving a stamp behind once I am gone has been on my mind. At some point, I think it is something many of us consider: "Am I enriching lives?" "Is it clear what I believe in and what I support?" And, "Am I making a difference?"
John Lennon led a complicated life in many ways; he, like all of us, made mistakes. He was also incredibly self-aware and tuned in to what really matters in life. He saw that in a world that has so much violence, despair, and injustice, that we need beauty more than ever. He was awake to what was beautiful in this life and passed it on. He had faith in people, and wanted us to know:
"Remember love. The only hope for any of us is peace...
You're
all geniuses and you're all beautiful.
You don't need anybody to tell
you who you are or what you are.
You are what you are."
wishing you the belief that you are all geniuses and you are all beautiful,
hk
Tuesday 8 October 2013
Beautiful Malala
You have probably heard the news stories about her. Malala Yousafzai. On the way to school in Northwest Pakistan a year ago, with chemistry and calculus on her mind, a gunman boarded the bus she was on, asked, "Who is Malala?" and then shot her in the head.
Miraculously, she survived.
In a culture where girls are not valued, and where no one congratulated her parents when she was born, Malala could have grown up with the lowest of expectations. However, her father who is himself an educator, felt that she and other girls deserved an education and founded the school Malala attended and maintained it despite the stress of threats he lived with for doing so. His beliefs and actions had a strong influence on his daughter, and she began writing a blog for the BBC under a pseudonym when she was just 11 years old that challenged the Taliban's views on the rights of women and girls. Although they tried to protect her anonymity, she became known in Pakistan and therefore also known to the Taliban.
Now, one year later, she lives in England with her family, and she’s the famous survivor of this Taliban assassination attempt, an activist for education of women and girls, and in the running to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Tomorrow, on the one year anniversary of the assassination attempt, she will speak to CBC's Anna Maria Tremonti on The Current. I encourage you to listen in. http://www.cbc.ca/radio/ Malala has also released a memoir, I Am Malala which is being released today.
Here is a link to the address she gave to the UN on her 16th birthday. She encourages us all to speak up, be strong, and to fight for what is right. A note of caution: you may be moved, so watch it with a tissue.
http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/07/malalas-10-most-inspiring-quotes-from-her-un-speech.html
The speech is beautiful, strong, and inspirational. Here is just a piece of it:
"I do not even hate the Talib who shot me. Even if there is a gun in my hand and he stands in front of me. I would not shoot him. This is the compassion that I have learnt from Muhammad-the prophet of mercy, Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha. This is the legacy of change that I have inherited from Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. This is the philosophy of non-violence that I have learnt from Gandhi Jee, Bacha Khan and Mother Teresa. And this is the forgiveness that I have learnt from my mother and father. This is what my soul is telling me, be peaceful and love everyone.
Dear sisters and brothers, we realise the importance of light when we see darkness."
Wishing you the beauty and "importance of light when we see darkness,"
hk
Miraculously, she survived.
In a culture where girls are not valued, and where no one congratulated her parents when she was born, Malala could have grown up with the lowest of expectations. However, her father who is himself an educator, felt that she and other girls deserved an education and founded the school Malala attended and maintained it despite the stress of threats he lived with for doing so. His beliefs and actions had a strong influence on his daughter, and she began writing a blog for the BBC under a pseudonym when she was just 11 years old that challenged the Taliban's views on the rights of women and girls. Although they tried to protect her anonymity, she became known in Pakistan and therefore also known to the Taliban.
Now, one year later, she lives in England with her family, and she’s the famous survivor of this Taliban assassination attempt, an activist for education of women and girls, and in the running to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Tomorrow, on the one year anniversary of the assassination attempt, she will speak to CBC's Anna Maria Tremonti on The Current. I encourage you to listen in. http://www.cbc.ca/radio/ Malala has also released a memoir, I Am Malala which is being released today.
Here is a link to the address she gave to the UN on her 16th birthday. She encourages us all to speak up, be strong, and to fight for what is right. A note of caution: you may be moved, so watch it with a tissue.
http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/07/malalas-10-most-inspiring-quotes-from-her-un-speech.html
The speech is beautiful, strong, and inspirational. Here is just a piece of it:
"I do not even hate the Talib who shot me. Even if there is a gun in my hand and he stands in front of me. I would not shoot him. This is the compassion that I have learnt from Muhammad-the prophet of mercy, Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha. This is the legacy of change that I have inherited from Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. This is the philosophy of non-violence that I have learnt from Gandhi Jee, Bacha Khan and Mother Teresa. And this is the forgiveness that I have learnt from my mother and father. This is what my soul is telling me, be peaceful and love everyone.
Dear sisters and brothers, we realise the importance of light when we see darkness."
Wishing you the beauty and "importance of light when we see darkness,"
hk
Wednesday 2 October 2013
Marking dates
Certain dates have meaning for all of us. They mark birthdays, anniversaries, and specific events. Looking back on them affords us an opportunity to reflect on their meaning, how we changed, how we grew, and sometimes how we survived.
The accident that resulted in my spinal cord injury was 37 years ago, but today I do not mark that significant day. Instead I mark the 7 year anniversary that I underwent a major surgery - the second one within 2 months - and a time where the continuation of my life (that included a small baby and 9 year old boy) was definitely in question. I hung on with the love and support of my family and friends, a dedicated surgeon, and medical miracles like IV antibiotics, and donated blood and bone cells, and with the fragile hope that I would survive in order to one day witness two things: see my son grow into a beautiful guitar player and hear him play "Blackbird" by the Beatles, and that I would be able to one day braid my daughter's hair. You might wonder why I would want to remember this time that was so vulnerable, tenuous, and filled with pain, chaos, and loss. Wouldn't it be better to regard an event such as this as the past, a time better left alone?
Maybe. However, I recently read about a woman who wrote her own obituary and one of the things she said was that she hoped her children realize that pain and difficulties are not obstacles on their life's journey, but rather, they are just the journey. This day marks part of my journey. It celebrates the fact that I am still here and that at least 2 of my wishes have come true. All of us mark the events of our lives, privately or publicly, and when you mark yours, whatever dates on the calendar they may be, my wish for you is a moment of reflection, peace, and beauty.
wishing you the beauty of a marked day,
hk
The accident that resulted in my spinal cord injury was 37 years ago, but today I do not mark that significant day. Instead I mark the 7 year anniversary that I underwent a major surgery - the second one within 2 months - and a time where the continuation of my life (that included a small baby and 9 year old boy) was definitely in question. I hung on with the love and support of my family and friends, a dedicated surgeon, and medical miracles like IV antibiotics, and donated blood and bone cells, and with the fragile hope that I would survive in order to one day witness two things: see my son grow into a beautiful guitar player and hear him play "Blackbird" by the Beatles, and that I would be able to one day braid my daughter's hair. You might wonder why I would want to remember this time that was so vulnerable, tenuous, and filled with pain, chaos, and loss. Wouldn't it be better to regard an event such as this as the past, a time better left alone?
Maybe. However, I recently read about a woman who wrote her own obituary and one of the things she said was that she hoped her children realize that pain and difficulties are not obstacles on their life's journey, but rather, they are just the journey. This day marks part of my journey. It celebrates the fact that I am still here and that at least 2 of my wishes have come true. All of us mark the events of our lives, privately or publicly, and when you mark yours, whatever dates on the calendar they may be, my wish for you is a moment of reflection, peace, and beauty.
wishing you the beauty of a marked day,
hk
Tuesday 1 October 2013
12 Songs to help you have a more beautiful day
1.
“Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder. Scowl while listening to this song, I dare
you to try.
2.
“Hello Bonjour” by Michael Franti and Spearhead
will have you tapping your fingers or toes and bouncing.
3.
“Blackbird” by Lennon and McCartney. Although a Beatles fan, I am partial to Sarah
McLachlan’s cover. I am also partial to
the particular way my son plays it on the guitar. Pretty and happy.
4.
“Life is Sweet” by Natalie Merchant. “Don’t cry…I tell you life is sweet in spite
of the misery there’s so much more. Be
grateful.”
5.
“Set it Free” by Sarah Slean – she will have you
skipping along and re-examining your perspective on life!
6.
“A Beautiful Thing” by The Tragically Hip. Why?
Re-read the title, of course.
7.
“Oreo Cookie Blues” by Lonnie Mack and Stevie
Ray but as covered by Suzie Vinnick. You
will never look at Oreos in the same way again. My goodness, what an incredible
talent Ms. Vinnick is.
8.
“Viva la
Vida” by Coldplay will have you dancing where you are.
9.
“Tom Sawyer” by Rush always makes me smile, and
sing out loud if you must know.
10. “Beautiful
Day” by U2. Well, of course.
11. “Roll the Windows Down" by Wyatt, who know how to make a happy toe-tapping, sing-along song!
12. "Sing Sing" or "What I Wouldn't Do" or anything else by Serena Ryder whose music always makes my day feel more beautiful.
These came to my head in no particular order, and there are plenty of other songs which I could've included but didn't, lest this blog became un-readable. And before you all start sending me messages about how I am wrong or have failed to include certain songs, why don't you just add to the list instead? There are many perspectives on what constitues a beautiful day. That's how beauty works, right?
wishing you a beautifully musical day,
hk
Monday 30 September 2013
Outside Beauty
If you google "Beauty Children" expecting to find some inspiring quotes about the beautiful innocence of children, as I did just a minute ago, you will be disappointed. Instead you will find pages upon pages on children's beauty pageants, how France has recently banned those pageants, and essays on the hyper-sexualization of young children, particularly little girls.
I have certain values for this blog. I want it to be positive, life-affirming, and with photos and essays that anyone can read, even a child. It is important to me that it not be vulgar, complaining, insulting, or judgmental. There is enough judging going on in the world without me adding to it, and when it comes to kids, I do not pretend that I know better than anyone else how to raise a child. I also don't imagine that the problem with the far-too-soon-sexualization of girls is the whole fault of beauty pageants, but I do think we need to teach our girls that yes, of course they should be valued for their intelligence, wit, charm, kindness and all those good things on the "inside," but also that their outsides are beautiful, that their bodies are beautiful. Not beautiful in spite of their flaws, or disabilities or crooked teeth or their height or weight. Just regular old beautiful.
I also wonder if we don't need to turn to our own behaviour and make some changes. So, for instance, let's consider treating our own bodies with love, care, and respect. Let's try telling each other how great we are and celebrate each other's successes instead of feeling threatened. And here's another thought: let's teach our boys to treat their own bodies well and that all women deserve love, care, and respect - and maybe once in a while they will tell those women who are their friends/girlfriends/wives that they are "beautiful" instead of always telling them that they are "hot." Just thoughts.
Thoughts that caused me to reflect on yesterday, an exquisite fall day, a day to be spent outside. Instead of driving, we walked to my daughter's piano lesson yesterday afternoon, and we played "I Spy" until we both saw a tree, heavy with its orange leaves, standing out amongst all the other autumnal trees. My daughter said, "Please take a picture, mom. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!"
So I did. And as I did, I said to her, "I agree. And the leaves are quite beautiful too."
wishing you inside and outside beauty,
hk
I have certain values for this blog. I want it to be positive, life-affirming, and with photos and essays that anyone can read, even a child. It is important to me that it not be vulgar, complaining, insulting, or judgmental. There is enough judging going on in the world without me adding to it, and when it comes to kids, I do not pretend that I know better than anyone else how to raise a child. I also don't imagine that the problem with the far-too-soon-sexualization of girls is the whole fault of beauty pageants, but I do think we need to teach our girls that yes, of course they should be valued for their intelligence, wit, charm, kindness and all those good things on the "inside," but also that their outsides are beautiful, that their bodies are beautiful. Not beautiful in spite of their flaws, or disabilities or crooked teeth or their height or weight. Just regular old beautiful.
I also wonder if we don't need to turn to our own behaviour and make some changes. So, for instance, let's consider treating our own bodies with love, care, and respect. Let's try telling each other how great we are and celebrate each other's successes instead of feeling threatened. And here's another thought: let's teach our boys to treat their own bodies well and that all women deserve love, care, and respect - and maybe once in a while they will tell those women who are their friends/girlfriends/wives that they are "beautiful" instead of always telling them that they are "hot." Just thoughts.
Thoughts that caused me to reflect on yesterday, an exquisite fall day, a day to be spent outside. Instead of driving, we walked to my daughter's piano lesson yesterday afternoon, and we played "I Spy" until we both saw a tree, heavy with its orange leaves, standing out amongst all the other autumnal trees. My daughter said, "Please take a picture, mom. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!"
So I did. And as I did, I said to her, "I agree. And the leaves are quite beautiful too."
wishing you inside and outside beauty,
hk
Thursday 26 September 2013
Ducks
My daughter has a lot of moments like this, as most children do. For instance, twice a week on our way to her karate school near
one end of our city, we pass by water that has accumulated in the ditches on
either side of the road that a dozen or so ducks have claimed as their summer/fall
home. As soon as they come into view, she gasps with surprise and delight to see them and this happens every single time. No matter
that we’ve seen these ducks dozens of times now. To her eyes, they are beautiful, brand new,
fascinating, curious little creatures and seeing them fills her with total
irrational joy. Pay attention today to what fills your heart with this unabashed happiness because the opportunity for these moments is absolutely everywhere.
Wishing you the joy and beauty of seeing your own ducks,
hk
Wednesday 25 September 2013
Magic
Sometimes it is magical to really see a child, especially when if you spend a lot of time with him or her. I like to call it "re-seeing," or in other words, putting your whole attention on that child and seeing her or him with new, fresh eyes. Like the idea of moving the art/beautiful things around in your home from time to time in order to gain a new appreciation, re-seeing a child, or really anyone you love, can be an amazing thing, a fresh start, a new perspective, and a beautiful moment.
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you
because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely
places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”
-Roald Dahl
-Roald Dahl
wishing you magic,
hk
Tuesday 24 September 2013
Chili Report
This blog, as you already know, is about uncovering beauty everyday, sometimes in the places you least expect to find it. For me, that beauty pops up all over the place - at home, in my neighbourhood, in art, in the actions of strangers, or in music, just to name a few of those places. With autumn officially here, I continually find beauty in warm comforts, like wearing a fuzzy wool sweater and holding a steamy cup of coffee in my hands on a chilly morning. And there is little more beautiful on a busy weeknight than to know a big, warm pot of nutritious and happy food is sitting on the stove, ready to feed a bunch of hungry people. I promised I'd let you know how that chili worked out, so here's the report: the lentils added great body and texture, making it thick and rich and perfect for folding up into wraps for lunches today. A successful risk taken!
wishing you a beautiful fall day,
hk
p.s. I also made up Michael Smith's recipe for Whole Wheat Biscuits. I agree with his method of grating the frozen butter into the dry ingredients. This made quick work of bringing the dough together and once baked, they were the flakiest I have ever made. The only change I will make next time is using buttermilk - but never fear, Chef Smith encourages us to change up his recipes and make them our own. This is one of the things I like best about him.
wishing you a beautiful fall day,
hk
p.s. I also made up Michael Smith's recipe for Whole Wheat Biscuits. I agree with his method of grating the frozen butter into the dry ingredients. This made quick work of bringing the dough together and once baked, they were the flakiest I have ever made. The only change I will make next time is using buttermilk - but never fear, Chef Smith encourages us to change up his recipes and make them our own. This is one of the things I like best about him.
Monday 23 September 2013
Beautiful Pulses
Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of listening to Chef Michael Smith speak at Saskatoon's Word on the Street Book and Magazine Festival. He had a lot of important and inspired things to say about food and cooking, some of the messages I will bring to this blog over the next while, and I was lucky to continue the conversation with him later on when he signed my copy of his latest cookbook, Back to Basics.
Just one message he had for the audience is that Canada is the number 1 export of pulses in the world. Working with Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, he explained that pulses - lentils, chickpeas, peas - are low fat and high fibre and they make up into delicious recipes. The list of benefits is extensive. According to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers website (www.saskpulse.com), pulses lower blood cholesterol, making them heart healthy while regular consumption of pulses also helps manage blood sugar levels. The high fibre and protein found in pulses works to curb hunger, assisting with weight management. They make other foods, like ground meat, stretch - a big consideration for families. They are inexpensive, which is good for everyone. The world loves our beautiful pulses, but how many of us are cooking with them?
Well, I am, or at least I am trying to. This is my red lentil chili. I am quite proud (read: vain) about my chili, so this is a departure for me, a bit of a risk. I used an onion, some garlic, ground turkey, canned tomatoes (thanks, Mom!), a little leftover pumpkin that would have otherwise spoiled in the fridge, some vegetable stock, a bit of molasses (Ack! I'm giving away my secrets!), the usual chili spices (cumin, coriander, chili powder, etc.) and a cup of red lentils. It's bubbling away and I have high expectations. I will be feeding a house full of critics later, so I will let you know how it turns out.
wishing you the beauty of taking your own risks,
hk
Just one message he had for the audience is that Canada is the number 1 export of pulses in the world. Working with Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, he explained that pulses - lentils, chickpeas, peas - are low fat and high fibre and they make up into delicious recipes. The list of benefits is extensive. According to the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers website (www.saskpulse.com), pulses lower blood cholesterol, making them heart healthy while regular consumption of pulses also helps manage blood sugar levels. The high fibre and protein found in pulses works to curb hunger, assisting with weight management. They make other foods, like ground meat, stretch - a big consideration for families. They are inexpensive, which is good for everyone. The world loves our beautiful pulses, but how many of us are cooking with them?
Well, I am, or at least I am trying to. This is my red lentil chili. I am quite proud (read: vain) about my chili, so this is a departure for me, a bit of a risk. I used an onion, some garlic, ground turkey, canned tomatoes (thanks, Mom!), a little leftover pumpkin that would have otherwise spoiled in the fridge, some vegetable stock, a bit of molasses (Ack! I'm giving away my secrets!), the usual chili spices (cumin, coriander, chili powder, etc.) and a cup of red lentils. It's bubbling away and I have high expectations. I will be feeding a house full of critics later, so I will let you know how it turns out.
hk
Friday 20 September 2013
On this Harvest Moon...
No words are needed to explain this beauty of the Harvest Moon, the full moon that falls closest to autumnal equinox. This harvest moon was taken last evening by my friend, Elaine Shein, who is originally from Saskatchewan, now lives in Omaha, Nebraska. I keep telling her she needs to publish a coffee table book of her images. She is a very talented and beautiful woman. Enjoy the image, beauty-seekers!
"But there's a full moon risin'
Let's go dancin' in the light
We know where the music's playin'
Let's go out and feel the night.
Because I'm still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I'm still in love with you
On this harvest moon."
Let's go dancin' in the light
We know where the music's playin'
Let's go out and feel the night.
Because I'm still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I'm still in love with you
On this harvest moon."
"Harvest Moon," by Neil Young
wishing you the beauty of "dancin' in the light,"
hk
Thursday 19 September 2013
Granola Bars
Having recently read Cooked,
a great book by Michael Pollan, who argues that the single most significant
thing we can do as a Western society to improve our health is to make our own
meals and eat together, I have become more passionate than ever about nutrition
and cooking. With the ever-increasing
tendency to eat out or eat easy (think frozen microwaved meals), coupled with
increasing poor health, Pollan argues: “The
best way to recover the reality of food – to return it to its proper place in
our lives – is to master the physical processes by which it has traditionally
been made.” I took many things away from
Cooked, but the most important was:
take the time, more often than not, to prepare meals with patience, practice,
and presence. We owe it to our loved
ones and to our own bodies.
Does this mean I will never again rip open another bag of potato
chips? Of course I will; don’t be
ridiculous. I love potato chips.
However, I have figured out a method to make your own beautiful
granola bars. It’s
easy. Depending on what you choose to
put in them will determine how nutritious they are, but I guarantee they will
be better for your body than nearly anything you can buy in a box, and in
making them, your house will smell incredible and your people will love you even more than they already do.
This is not a recipe, but more of a guideline.
To about 6 cups of grains: (real large flake oats, quinoa, a
mix of porridge-type grain cereal), add a little melted butter and/or oil of
your choice (I often use coconut) and stir until the grains are lightly coated. Put them on a baking sheet and toast in a 350
oven for 15-20 minutes. It is also nice to add a handful of shredded coconut to
the toasting process.
In the meantime, get your add-ins ready. In this batch, mine are handfuls of dark
chocolate chips, hemp seeds, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, some Smarties
(my Dad would approve) and raisins. I made a different batch recently using
hulled pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and chopped apricots. Use your beautiful
imagination.
Next, make all the sticky stuff to make your mixture stay
together. You will need about 2 cups
worth in total. I used 1 cup of brown
sugar, approximately ¼ cup each coconut oil, maple syrup, molasses, and a handful of
marshmallows. You could use any nut
butter, but I did not because I want to safely send these in school lunches. I
brought it just to a boil, took it off the heat and added a good glug of
vanilla.
Take the oats from the oven, let cool. Put them in a big bowl with a teaspoon of
salt (I used sea salt), some cinnamon (if you are into that – we are), a heaping
cup of rice krispie cereal and a good ½ cup of each ground flaxseed and wheat
germ. Again, you can improvise here with
whatever grains you like.
Pour the sticky stuff over your dry ingredients, mix, then
add your add-ins. Put a sheet of
parchment on your baking sheet and grease it really well. Press the mixture onto the sheet, making it
as even on top as you can with the greased back of a spoon.
Bake at 325 for 18 minutes. Do not over bake. Let them cool in the pan. I find the
parchment paper is key to bar removal later on.
Peel off the parchment and cut into bars, or get your kid to
do it since he/she should be able to use a knife. I think Michael Pollan would approve. Probably.
Wishing you the beauty of making something from scratch,
hk
Wednesday 18 September 2013
Sparklingly beautiful
Sometimes beauty doesn't have to be something old and scratched up, like my dining room table. Once in a while it can be something new and sparkly, like these earrings from Stella and Dot that I bought for myself for no particular reason from my friend and stylist, Jacki Andre. I am typically a jeans and t-shirt kind of woman, but when I wear these I feel a little dressed up, and dare I say a little more beautiful.
In case you are interested, Jacki's facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/JackiAndreIndependentStylist?fref=ts
Jacki's website: http://www.stelladot.com/sites/jackiandre
wishing you a day where you treat yourself to a little bit of beauty for no particular reason,
hk
In case you are interested, Jacki's facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/JackiAndreIndependentStylist?fref=ts
Jacki's website: http://www.stelladot.com/sites/jackiandre
wishing you a day where you treat yourself to a little bit of beauty for no particular reason,
hk
Monday 16 September 2013
Sharpies
"Don't get Sharpie on the table okay?"
My seven-year-old is sick with the inevitable cold school aged kids get in September. She is away from school this morning and is instead working at the dining room table on a project she calls "customizing ponies," which means she is taking one of the My Little Ponies (that I paid $8.99 for, ahem) and applying various shades of colour to it. I will try to get her to put some newspaper down to protect the table which may or may not work, but the truth is this table already has its share of Sharpie marks, coffee cup burns, and scratches...so many scratches. In as much as the kitchen is the heart of the home for many of us, in our house the dining room table is the heart of projects - from pony customization to Halloween costume making to homework to Lego creations to art projects to Halo helmets made from card stock, hot glue, body filler, and spray paint (this last one is a long story).
It is also the table where many more dinners have been spent, almost all of which have included the people I love best in the world. It is the table many hard conversations have taken place, and where both sad and joyful announcements have been made. It is where I sit when I call my mom every evening. It is where I wrote a good chunk of my first book. It is where I write this blog. It is solid and strong enough to handle many elbows leaning on it, spilled glasses of wine, platters of turducken, and cast iron pots full of ribs. And yes, you guessed it folks, I still think it is beautiful.
wishing you a day as colourful as a Sharpie,
hk
My seven-year-old is sick with the inevitable cold school aged kids get in September. She is away from school this morning and is instead working at the dining room table on a project she calls "customizing ponies," which means she is taking one of the My Little Ponies (that I paid $8.99 for, ahem) and applying various shades of colour to it. I will try to get her to put some newspaper down to protect the table which may or may not work, but the truth is this table already has its share of Sharpie marks, coffee cup burns, and scratches...so many scratches. In as much as the kitchen is the heart of the home for many of us, in our house the dining room table is the heart of projects - from pony customization to Halloween costume making to homework to Lego creations to art projects to Halo helmets made from card stock, hot glue, body filler, and spray paint (this last one is a long story).
It is also the table where many more dinners have been spent, almost all of which have included the people I love best in the world. It is the table many hard conversations have taken place, and where both sad and joyful announcements have been made. It is where I sit when I call my mom every evening. It is where I wrote a good chunk of my first book. It is where I write this blog. It is solid and strong enough to handle many elbows leaning on it, spilled glasses of wine, platters of turducken, and cast iron pots full of ribs. And yes, you guessed it folks, I still think it is beautiful.
wishing you a day as colourful as a Sharpie,
hk
Thursday 12 September 2013
10 Ways to Avoid Beauty Today
10 Ways
to Avoid Beauty Today
On Tuesday I made a list of 10 ways to find beauty, so it seemed only fitting that I should make a list of 10 ways to avoid it too.
2. Avoid eye contact
3. Breathe shallow, or not at all, which is rarely advisable
4. Slam the junk drawer and pretend it doesn’t exist
5. Curse every time you open the junk drawer
6. Scowl
7. Complain about all the stuff that irritates you, like the driver who cut you off or who doesn’t know how to merge yet
8. Sit on the couch and complain about all the commercials on t.v.
9. Wait for someone to tell you that you’re great
10. Judge everyone and believe you know best how they should all be living their lives
I don't know anyone who doesn't do any or all of these things on a regular basis, including me of course. I guess the trick is to try to be aware that we are looking down or scowling or judging and then do something else. Caught up in a difficult day or a negative perspective, it can be really difficult to do/see something else. But nobody said uncovering beauty was easy.
wishing you a beautiful day,
hk
Wednesday 11 September 2013
Pause
September 11, 2013
Although it is a beautiful, blue-skied, and sunny day in many places around the world, it is a difficult day for many, as today marks the 12th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the United States of America when thousands died. While there are many stories of hope and light that surround this devastating day, I instead want to think about the idea that there is beauty in pausing our busy lives to reflect, remember, and respect the anniversary. Many of us are just moving too fast most of the time, consumed by the small but important details of our lives, and once in a while it is critical that we stop, pause, and breathe in order to find some peace, create some balance, and feel grounded.
This image was borrowed from: http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/2012/09/sarah_parenting/sept-11-memorial.jpg
wishing you a day of to pause, reflect, and remember,
hk
Pause
Although it is a beautiful, blue-skied, and sunny day in many places around the world, it is a difficult day for many, as today marks the 12th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the United States of America when thousands died. While there are many stories of hope and light that surround this devastating day, I instead want to think about the idea that there is beauty in pausing our busy lives to reflect, remember, and respect the anniversary. Many of us are just moving too fast most of the time, consumed by the small but important details of our lives, and once in a while it is critical that we stop, pause, and breathe in order to find some peace, create some balance, and feel grounded.
This image was borrowed from: http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/2012/09/sarah_parenting/sept-11-memorial.jpg
wishing you a day of to pause, reflect, and remember,
hk
This image was borrowed from: http://cdn.sheknows.com/articles/2012/09/sarah_parenting/sept-11-memorial.jpg
wishing you a day of to pause, reflect, and remember,
hk
Tuesday 10 September 2013
10 Ways to Find Beauty Today
10 Ways To Find Beauty Today
1. Look Up - there are few better blues than those of an autumn sky
2. Smile at a stranger, or better yet, say hello with a smile
3. Breathe deeply
4. Clean out a drawer- you never know what you will find
5. Be thankful that you have a drawer to clean out
6. Laugh or make someone else laugh
7. Take a moment to be grateful, say thank you for all that you have been given and worked hard for
8. Go for a walk - see #1
9. Give something away - a compliment, a book, a reference, a recipe
10. Avoid ending a sentence with a preposition and try not to judge when someone else does it (for example, do not look back at #7). While this may not have anything to do with beauty, I felt I had to say something about that "for" that is just hanging there.
wishing you a day where you find your own ways of finding beauty (and please share when you do),
hk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)