Showing posts with label #Central. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Central. Show all posts
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Getting a Boost of Energy, Naturally
SHALL WE DANCE?
SHALL WE DANCE?
By Wayne and Tamara
I just happened to bump into you guys virtually, and must say it was a pleasure! While reading through questions posted online, I realized I had one myself! So here I go.
I hail from India, and as you may know, Indians have a concept of arranged marriages, which I don’t really feel comfortable with. But I am 25 now, and though I’ve been in relationships in the past, I am single at present. So, my parents are on the lookout for a suitable guy for me.
I don’t have much choice because falling into a relationship is kind of slow here in India. People here are very different with regard to relationships as compared to the West. But I would like to find someone for myself rather than going into an arranged thing.
A few days back I met a friend’s friend via a social networking site. I had heard a lot about him from my friends, so I initiated things by sending him a message. He was sweet and prompt and asked me how I knew our mutual friend. We’ve been communicating via short messages ever since.
My question: how can I initiate a deeper relationship with him, though not necessarily too fast? I need to get to know him more as I think he is a great guy. I am by nature a little conservative, so I can’t really take bolder steps like asking for his number. Also, I would prefer not to involve our friend in this.
I don’t want to come around too strong. Should I continue messaging for a few more days? In his last message he said on business he quite often passes by the area where I live.
Daya
Daya, shall we dance? That’s the question posed by a song in the musical “The King And I.” Shall we dance…knowing there are usually many entries on a woman’s dance card before she finds the perfect partner? Shall we dance…knowing that many dances end with the thank you which means goodbye? Shall we dance…knowing that the dance always brings uncertainty?
Yes, let us dance. Let us dance, because the dance may end with us in the arms of the one we can dance through life with. Let us dance, says the song, “on the clear understanding that this kind of thing can happen.”
This man, with a little prompting, noticed you across a crowded dance floor. Your eyes met, and now you wonder, what next? You are a little reserved. He may be, too, because no male seeks to be rejected by a woman.
That’s why a woman waiting to be asked might gently sway her shoulders to the music, indicating she would love to dance. A small signal, perhaps, but enough to make a man start forward. He may still pass by, she knows, but most likely he hopes to take her hand and lead her to the floor.
An inner thing moves two people who can dance happily and comfortably together for the rest of their lives. That’s what dating seeks to learn. A man has said, “I often pass by where you are.” Can you come forward a little, too? Can you mention the café where you take coffee or that you like Chinese food? Can you make an opening so he can ask?
You need not say much or be bolder than your nature, but gently let him know what you may welcome as the next step. Just as you know you look good in certain colors, throw a soft focus on your approachability quotient. Make a small inroad. Give yourself a chance.
That’s not pursuing or chasing. It’s being available and open. It’s being able to acknowledge you are willing to dance. It’s coming forward so another can come forward, if he is drawn to you. Shall we dance? Yes.
Wayne & Tamara
Tax Efficient RRSP Withdrawal Strategies
Tax Efficient RRSP Withdrawal Strategies
By Bruno M. Scanga
Deposit Broker, Insurance & Investment Advisor
Many Canadians diligently contribute to their Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) throughout their working years, aiming for a comfortable retirement. However, when it comes to withdrawing these funds, the strategy isn’t always straightforward. For some, tapping into their RRSPs earlier than traditional retirement age can offer significant tax benefits and financial flexibility.
Why Consider Early RRSP Withdrawals? The conventional wisdom suggests deferring RRSP withdrawals to delay taxes as long as possible. Yet, this approach might not be best for everyone. Withdrawing funds during years when you’re in a lower tax bracket can reduce your overall tax burden. This strategy, sometimes referred to as an “RRSP meltdown,” involves strategically drawing down your RRSP before mandatory withdrawals kick in at age 71.
By accessing your RRSP funds between ages 60 and 70, you can decrease the account’s size before it’s converted into a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF). This proactive approach can lead to smaller mandatory withdrawals later, potentially keeping you in a lower tax bracket and preserving more of your retirement income.
Early RRSP withdrawals can also influence government benefits. For instance, the Old Age Security (OAS) pension has a claw back mechanism for higher-income retirees. By reducing your RRSP balance earlier, you might avoid or lessen this claw back. Additionally, for lower-income individuals, early withdrawals could help in qualifying for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), which provides added support to those who need it most.
Another advantage of accessing RRSP funds early is the opportunity to transfer them into a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). While you’ll pay taxes upon withdrawal from the RRSP, once the funds are in a TFSA, they can grow tax-free. This setup offers greater flexibility for future expenses, such as medical costs or helping family members financially.
For couples, early RRSP withdrawals can be particularly beneficial. Imagine both partners have large RRSPs. If one partner passes away, the surviving spouse inherits the RRSP funds, potentially resulting in a significant tax liability due to higher mandatory withdrawals from a larger RRIF. By each partner drawing down their RRSPs earlier, they can manage and possibly reduce the combined tax impact in the future.
While there are clear benefits to early RRSP withdrawals, it’s essential to approach this strategy thoughtfully. Withdrawing funds means paying taxes sooner and potentially missing out on the tax-deferred growth those funds would have enjoyed. Therefore, it’s crucial to assess your current financial situation, future income expectations, and retirement goals.
When Interviewing, Leave Something Behind
When Interviewing,
Leave Something Behind
By Nick Kossovan
An interview I conducted over 15 years ago has stayed with me ever since. I was filling a Team Leader position for a QA team of 12 representatives. The candidate interviewed "okay"—almost textbook-like—at best a "Meh!" However, what stuck with me was that when I walked them back to reception, they handed me a manila envelope.
"Reports and a document support what I just told you."
I took the envelope, had them sign out, and moved on to the next candidate. On my way to the boardroom, I dropped the envelope on my desk. When I returned to my office after a day of back-to-back interviews, the envelope was staring at me. Curiosity got the better of me, so I opened it before checking my emails or voicemails.
The envelope contained the candidate's latest performance appraisal and four months' worth of reports, with confidential numbers blacked out. I was impressed; no candidate had ever provided evidence to support their claims about themselves. As someone who has conducted hundreds of interviews, I find that most candidates are unmemorable. However, this candidate stood out because they proactively backed up their claims with evidence, thereby reducing the risk of hiring them by proving they were genuine.
I don't remember how many candidates I interviewed for the QA Team Leader position—probably six or seven—but I do remember calling only this candidate to arrange lunch with the team. (I firmly believe candidates for leadership roles should spend time with the team they'll be leading.)
Yes, they got the job.
When job searching, your primary goal is to do everything possible to make yourself memorable. When you're scheduled for an interview, whether in person or via video, ask yourself: What can I leave behind or email as proof of my skills, experience, and commitment to success?
Ask any employer, and they'll tell you that more than ever, the job market is full of bad actors talking a good game. Understandably, employers are often apprehensive about a candidate's ability to 'walk their talk.' A leave-behind—essentially an addendum to your resume and LinkedIn profile—is an effective tactic that can dispel any lingering doubts your interviewer may have about your candidacy.
Leave-behind suggestions:
A portfolio
A curated collection of work samples offers concrete proof of skills and achievements. In creative professions such as graphic design, photography, and architecture, a portfolio is a standard requirement. Still, you can create a portfolio for almost any role, whether in software development, journalism, or various finance positions. Having a portfolio, especially when interviewing outside the "creative" fields, is a rarely used job search tactic that'll have you stand out from other candidates.
Productivity Reports
Which candidate is more likely to get hired, the one who talks about their productivity or the one who provides evidence? In my world, call centre management, productivity reports are standard, just as they are in sales, business development, investment banking, quality assurance, marketing, and social media management, to name a few professions.
Leaving behind recent productivity reports proves your ability to deliver results, adds credibility to your candidacy and reduces the risk of hiring you.
Recent Performance Review
I've used this strategy several times. Trust me, it works!
One question your interviewer will have lingering in their mind is, "Is this person manageable?" Leaving behind your latest performance review—provided it supports that you're a stellar employee—proactively answers this question.
360 Review
Once, I was competing—don't kid yourself, a job search is a competition—for a job I really wanted. I knew I faced stiff competition; therefore, I needed an ace. The morning after my interview, over breakfast, I had an ah-ha! moment. Months earlier, my employer, a large financial institution, had conducted 360 reviews. My approval rating was 86%, significantly higher than the average of 73%. My ace was my 360 review results! I couriered my results to my interviewer. The next afternoon, I received a call to schedule a second interview.
If you have a 360 review that praises your leadership abilities, that's gold! Share it!
Testimonials
Establish your credibility and trustworthiness by incorporating one of marketing's best practices and leave behind testimonials (aka, social proof). Solicit testimonials from anyone familiar with your work, such as colleagues, vendors, managers, and customers. Print them and present them to your interviewer. Don't underestimate the influence that other people's opinions, even strangers, can have on your interviewer when they're considering whether to move forward with your candidacy.
120-Day Plan
New employee honeymoon periods are a thing of the past. Today, employers look for candidates who can hit the ground running. Providing your interviewer with a detailed breakdown of how you plan to approach your first four months—specifically, outlining your learning goals, performance milestones, and relationship-building objectives—demonstrates your commitment to integrating into the company and generating value from day one.
The purpose of a leave-behind is to give your interviewer tangible evidence of who you are and, most importantly, your abilities. Additionally, a leave-behind can mitigate the consequences of a mediocre interview. Job interviews are about making lasting impressions, and doing what most candidates won't is a surefire way to stand out.
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Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned corporate veteran, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. Send Nick your job search questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.
The Environment Pothole Dilemma
The Environment Pothole Dilemma
By Dale Jodoin
If you live in Oshawa or Toronto, you know the feeling. You’re driving along, maybe listening to the radio, when bang! you slam into a pothole. The wheel jolts, your coffee spills, and your heart skips a beat. You curse under your breath and keep going, but that crater in the pavement is doing more harm than you think.
Most people see potholes as a driver’s problem. A flat tire, a bent rim, or a suspension bill that makes your bank account ache. But potholes do something else, something most folks never think about. They make vehicles burn more energy. Gas cars guzzle more fuel when they slam into one. Electric cars drain their batteries faster. Both lose efficiency. That means more pollution in the air for everyone.
And it doesn’t stop there. Drivers slow down for potholes, then stomp the pedal to speed back up. That constant stop-and-go wastes energy. It’s like trying to drink through a straw full of holes you lose more than you take in. In a big city with millions of vehicles, all those wasted bursts of energy pile up into a big, invisible problem.
Scientists have been looking at this. A 2023 study by Ali and his team showed that potholes mess with traffic flow, forcing drivers to brake and accelerate more. That burns extra fuel. Oregon’s Department of Transportation found that rough roads increase fuel use and CO₂. Chun, in 2024, studied electric cars and found that rough pavement makes them suck down power faster. Even motorcycles aren’t safe. The more they slam into potholes, the quicker they break down, and every new part of steel, rubber, plastic has its own environmental cost.
And then there’s density. The more packed a city is, the faster the pavement wears out. Heavy traffic pounds the asphalt until it crumbles. More potholes mean more slowing, more idling, more wasted fuel. A 2025 study by Wang showed that cities with higher density already have worse emissions because of traffic. Add potholes and the air gets even dirtier. That’s smog, exhaust, and fine dust in the lungs of everyone walking, biking, or just trying to breathe.
Now, potholes are serious, but you’ve got to laugh sometimes or you’ll go crazy. Here’s one: Why don’t potholes ever get lonely? Because they’ve always got a whole lot of friends. Or how about this one: What did the car say to the pothole? “You crack me up.” Funny until your alignment bill shows up in the mail.
But jokes aside, the truth is potholes aren’t just breaking cars. They’re breaking climate goals too. Governments love to talk about Net Zero by 2050, but how can we ever get there if our roads look like Swiss cheese? A pothole filled today is back next spring. Water seeps in, freezes, expands, and cracks the pavement again. It’s like patching jeans that already have holes in the knees. You'll be back with the sewing kit before long.
Meanwhile, the damage piles up. Every bump means more gas burned, more electricity drained, more pollution in the air. And it costs money. Billions every year across North America are spent fixing cars, patching pavement, and dealing with the fallout. That’s money that could go into real, long-lasting road fixes. Stronger asphalt, better drainage, even new materials that can take the pounding. But too often, leaders take the cheap route: patch it, pave it, forget it, and then do it all again the next year.
And let’s not forget the human side. Everyone’s got a pothole story. The coffee stain on your shirt. The kid in the back seat was crying because their juice box exploded. The poor soul who ate the wrong burrito for lunch and then hit a pothole too hard. It’s funny in a miserable kind of way. Potholes aren’t just an inconvenience. They get under our skin, into our wallets, and into the air we breathe.
If cities really care about emissions, potholes need to be treated as more than a nuisance. They’re an environmental problem hiding in plain sight. Smoother roads mean cleaner air. It’s that simple. Investing in durable, sustainable road systems may cost more at first, but it saves money and pollution down the line. Every unfilled pothole is another leak in the climate plan.
Potholes may look small, but they’re not. They’re cracks in the system. They waste fuel, they pollute the air, and they chip away at every promise governments make about a green future. We laugh about them, we curse at them, and we swerve around them, but they aren’t going anywhere unless someone takes this seriously.
So here’s the truth: potholes aren’t just destroying cars. They’re destroying our climate goals.
If we don’t fix the holes in our streets, we’ll never fix the holes in our climate promises. And unless cities wake up, the environmental pothole dilemma will swallow us whole.
The Real Threat to Democracy Isn’t Dissent It’s Silence
The Real Threat to Democracy Isn’t Dissent
It’s Silence
By Councillor Lisa Robinson
Across Canada and around the world, the last few years have tested the boundaries between public health authority and personal liberty. Governments claimed extraordinary powers in the name of safety, but history teaches us that emergency powers, once granted, are rarely surrendered easily. When citizens questioned mandates, digital tracking, or censorship of opposing views, they were often labelled as dangerous, divisive, or “anti-science.”
But speaking out against government excess is not extremism — it’s the heartbeat of democracy. Democracies depend on dissent. The people who marched, wrote, protested, or simply refused to be silenced did not endanger society; they reminded it that free nations are built on consent, not compliance.
Every major human-rights advance began with individuals who stood against the prevailing narrative — from labour organizers to civil-rights activists, from suffragettes to whistle-blowers. During the pandemic, ordinary citizens took up that same tradition, asking the questions too many leaders were afraid to confront. They demanded transparency in data, accountability in decision-making, and respect for bodily autonomy. They were not a threat to public order — they were a threat to unchecked power.
I know this because I lived it. Since the very beginning of COVID-19, I have stood up against these heavy-handed measures — even inside City Hall, where the people’s voice has been reduced to five-minute time slots and pre-approved topics. I have been punished punitively for speaking the truth. Sanctioned. Slandered. Stripped of pay. Accused of things I never said, based on lies crafted to silence me. But every attempt to silence me only proved the point: dissent is not the disease — tyranny is.
The real danger to democracy comes when governments learn they can rule by decree and silence opposition through fear or ridicule. When truth becomes whatever officials say it is, the people no longer govern; they are managed. And once citizens accept that, the path from democracy to technocracy is short and steep.
History will judge those who stood up — and those who stayed silent. The lesson is simple: freedom doesn’t disappear overnight; it erodes when questioning authority becomes a punishable act. Those who refused to bow to coercion did not weaken our country; they kept its democratic spine intact.
Because in the end, the true enemy of dictatorship is not rebellion — it’s courage.
"Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head-On And Rise Above It"
The Strength in Solitude - How Toxic Relationships Destroy the Peace of Being Alone
The Strength in Solitude - How Toxic Relationships Destroy the
Peace of Being Alone
By Camryn Bland
Youth Columnist
In our everyday lives, we interact with dozens of people, each serving a different role in our lives. Some relationships may be professional, such as those with peers or colleagues, while others may be specially selected, like close friendships. No matter the environment, humans are social creatures who often seek connections and events. We constantly surround ourselves with others, and so we begin to lose sight of what it means to be alone. We have become so accustomed to interaction that necessary solitude feels foreign and frightening. Independence is no longer seen as a strength, but a weakness which resembles loneliness.
Many people feel dependent on company, always relying on someone else to feel secure or validated. Craving constant connection can quietly strip away one’s ability to enjoy solitude. We begin to associate being alone with being unloved, when in reality, solitude can be one of the most empowering experiences a person can have.
This fear of loneliness traps individuals in negative social circles due to a fear of isolation, especially in adolescents. In high school, friendships and an exciting social life can feel like top priorities. These four years are filled with parties, events, study sessions, or simple weekend hangouts, which all feel better when shared with friends.
There are countless advantages to genuine friendships at any age. When you find the right people, friendships ensure you always have someone to count on, to cheer for you, and to make irreplaceable memories with. I love my friends, and I know I am so lucky to have them. However, not every friendship is based on this love, but on fear or jealousy. In my past, I have felt stuck in many draining social circles, which felt impossible to escape. Turning away from my friends felt terrifying and dangerous, even if they were damaging to my identity. Teens often feel pressured to be the most popular, and so they fear being disliked by others.
When we become desperate for connection, it is very easy to fall into fake friendships and toxic relationships. Toxic friends may not always look like the exaggerated trio from Mean Girls, however they can be just as harmful. Friendships which seem supportive may be sources of stress, insecurity, and emotional strain. Even if these effects go unnoticed, friendships can shift from major sources of joy to a never-ending supply of drama and distress.
In most social circles, gossip, belittlement, and recurring criticism are normalized. It may seem like playful teasing, comments which weren’t meant to hurt your feelings. However, there should never be doubt on if your friends are genuine and kind to you. Friends should encourage growth and authenticity, not try to limit who you are. In many cases, these normalized actions are not playful teasing, but genuine bullying disguised by smiles and party invitations.
It can be difficult to recognize a relationship is unhealthy, however it’s even harder to act on this realization. Despite the temptations, ending a relationship should never be impulsive. First, it’s important to reflect on your own role and communicate honestly. Ask yourself if you act similarly and brainstorm how to fix your own actions. Communicate with your friend, and see if they are feeling similar to you, as they may also feel unseen in the friendship. It is important to have compassion for others in the situation, not just for yourself.
Eventually, you face a choice to either rebuild the connection on healthier terms, or walk away. If someone dismisses your feelings or continues to make you feel unseen, I believe that’s not a friend worth keeping. Those are the relationships where major problems lie, which are not worth your time or energy. In some cases, it’s time to let go, wish them the best, and separate yourself from the negative influence. Letting go may hurt at first, but it’s a necessary act of courage.
The most challenging aspect of breaking a connection is accepting the solitude which comes afterwards. We often tell ourselves it is better to be with harmful people than be alone. When constantly surrounded by others, being alone sounds terrifying.
Once you are forced into this isolation, it feels unknown and confusing. This mindset is one which we need to break in order to escape negative influences who are weighing us back.
Choosing solitude is not about loneliness, it’s about choosing peace over chaos, self-respect over insecurity. The moment you realize that your own company can be enough, you begin to grow.
Ashley Corbo, an American influencer, captures this truth perfectly. On her social media accounts and her podcast, Trying Not To Care, Corbo has said, "It's better to be alone than be surrounded by people who make you feel lonely.” Her words remind us that solitude is not isolation, it’s freedom from being held back. When you stop wasting your love on others who don’t reciprocate, you begin to love yourself. You begin to realize you don’t need a friend to get coffee with, or a companion to go to the cinema. There should be no shame in being alone, as long as you are not lonely. Loneliness is a mindset which comes from disappointment in others, not yourself. So, live your life withhappiness and fulfillment, whether that be with others, or just your own company. Only with this acceptance can you make room for experiences, and people, that truly bring you joy.
Saturday, October 4, 2025
WHY CAN’T WE CHANGE!!!
WHY CAN’T WE CHANGE!!!
By Joe Ingino BA. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
I have served as your City Editor for the past 30 years. I have seen all kinds of change. Unfortunately, It has not been for the better. The quality of life has diminished to the point that walking down our city streets have become a health risk and or a personal secuirty issue.
I get asked all the time. What do I think is the magic formula.
Well I ran in the last election on this principle. But it appears that people were happy with the status quo and we are enduring another four years of the same chaos.
In my opinion we must address the white elephant in the room. I do not put the blame on the thousands of homeless. As, I am sure that they are not homeless by choice.
People tend to generalize that those homeless are a bunch of drug addicts and or suffering from some sort of mental health issue.
What we need to do is undestand the psychology. Being homeless is very stressful. It brings about all kinds of emotions that in all cases are difficult to control.
Many have no one to turn to. Many have lost hope in society and use alchohol and drugs to offset the daily pain. A pain that runs far beyond any physical disability.
If I had been Mayor. I would have shut down the ‘safe’ injection sites. I would have made sure that everyone dependant on drugs.... that Oshawa was closed for business.
I would have worked with police to enforce law. Create special detention centers that no one would be able to leave until such time that they were sober and properly
At the facility I would have mental health experts running evaluation on people. Those with addiction would be admitted to hospital for treatment. Those with mental health issues would be given appointment to attend a trained mental health worker to deal with the neurosis.
For those homeless, I would offer them temporary shelter at a pre-set wharehouse facility. I would create special work programs. Programs that would give these homeless folk the opportunity to earn money. Programs like ongoing grass cutting for senior. Garbage pick up throughout the city. Snow removal along all our city streets. The City of Oshawa spent 70 million dollars to the Generals hockey team. 50 million for an outdoor pool in Canada. 30 million on the Ed Broadbent Park. You mean to tell me we can’t invest in helping those in need.
Those three projects alone are $150 million. 150 million of your tax dollars... that you the taxpayer will never see a dime and or benefit directly.
Imagine having 5,000 homeless in Oshawa. Divide that by 150 million. That would give us $300,00/homeless person in assistance. But wait, 2026 is around the corner. Instead of voting in people with substance, vision and solutions. Guess what... Most likely the status quo will reign supreme again. Sad.
Another Attack on Free Speech: The Government’s Push to Punish Words Before They’re Spoken
Fights Over Drugs Have Enduring Meaning
Fights Over Drugs Have Enduring
Meaning
By Diana Gifford
Every so often, history taps you on the shoulder. That happened to me recently when I discovered a book on the science, culture, and regulation of drugs by Professor Lucas Richert, a historian of pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The book devotes its entire first chapter to none other than my father, Dr. Ken Walker — better known to readers by his penname, W. Gifford-Jones, MD.
Richert’s book, Strange Trips, presents the history of recreational, palliative and pharmaceutical drugs and the tension in debates between evidence and opinion, compassion and politics.
Readers may not know that in the late 1970s and early 1980s, my father became Canada’s most vocal advocate for the legalization of medical heroin. He had lost close friends to cancer and seen his own patients suffering in pain. At the time, heroin was widely used in Britain for pain control, yet Canadian patients were denied access. Why? Not because of science, he argued, but because of “political, not medical, decisions.”
Richert captures this clash well. As one expert observed, “heroin is particularly good at inducing opinions which conflict with all the evidence and ‘evidence’ that is then moulded to fit the opinions.” My father’s campaign forced Canadians to ask: should terminally ill patients be denied effective relief because heroin carried a stigma?
He didn’t stop with advocating for change in his column. He collected more than 30,000 signatures on a petition, received another 20,000 letters of support, and presented them in Ottawa to Health Minister Monique Bégin. He flew to the UK on a fact-finding mission, speaking with doctors, nurses, and patients. Scotland Yard officials, he noted, brushed off the claims of critics that medical heroin stored in hospital pharmacies would increase crime. They had far bigger problems to worry about.
When political action stalled, he doubled down, placing full-page awareness ads in newspapers. In one, he accused opponents with the blunt headline: “Will the real hypocrites please stand up.” That kind of language didn’t make him friends in the medical establishment or in policy circles, but it drew public attention to the cause.
Support began to build. Editorials in The Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail endorsed his position, pointing out that British cancer patients had long had access to heroin without social upheaval. The Canadian Medical Association ultimately supported legalization, after uncovering how Canada had been pressured decades earlier by the United States into banning the drug. Dr. William Ghent, a leading CMA figure, didn’t mince words: “We followed the US like sheep, and now, like sheep, we’ve got their manure to deal with.”
By the mid-1980s, the government relented. New trials were approved, and eventually heroin was legalized for cases of severe chronic pain and terminal illness. The fight didn’t end debates in palliative care, and experts then and now would argue the focus should be broader than drugs alone. But it was a turning point. Canada acknowledged that compassion had a place in drug policy.
The debate continues today in a new form. Researchers now point to psychedelics such as psilocybin as tools to ease end-of-life distress, yet patients face the same barriers of politics, stigma, and delay. Humans often fail to learn from history, and as Richert’s book shows, the fight over heroin was just one of many stories.
For me, it is a point of pride to see my father’s efforts remembered, not only as a medical crusade but as part of the larger story of how societies negotiate the meaning of medicine. Readers who want more detail can find a synopsis of Richert’s chapter, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, available through our website.
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This column offers health and wellness, not medical advice. Visit www.docgiff.com to learn more. For comments, diana@docgiff.com. Follow on Instagram @diana_gifford_jones
Saturday, September 27, 2025
When Disaster Strikes, You Need to Be Ready
When Disaster Strikes,
You Need to Be Ready
By Diana Gifford
Are you in the group of people who treat insurance the way you do exercise? You know it’s good for you, but you put it off until it’s too late. Human behaviour can be so irrational! But insurance really should be a priority for your attention among the list of things that keep you well.
A thoughtful look at what determines your wellbeing includes preparations for disasters of all kinds – not just the risk factors for disease. A burst pipe, a fire, a car accident, or a sudden illness abroad can be as bad or worse than a slow march to a chronic health program. Disasters, many of them entirely out of your own control, can undo a lifetime of careful living in a single day.
I recently attended the Canadian Health Food Association show in Toronto where I met Leigh McFarlane, owner of a growing soap business, who knows this from experience. A fire tore through her home and shop, and she discovered too late that her insurance policy was woefully inadequate. She lost everything. Today, with grit and resilience, she is rebuilding The Soap Company of Nova Scotia. But the hard truth is that much of her suffering could have been prevented.
McFarlane’s is a story not just about fire. It’s about health. Yes, financial health for sure. But also physical health. Nothing raises blood pressure, shatters sleep or wears down the immune system like the anxiety of financial ruin. Insurance, dull as it can be, is a prescription for peace of mind.
Think broadly about what insurance means. House and home: a burst pipe in winter can flood a basement and rack up bills that rival the cost of a heart bypass surgery. Income security: a sudden disability or the closure of a small business can wipe out years of hard work. Health coverage: travel insurance may seem optional, until you’re on vacation and a heart attack strikes.
Canadians abroad have found themselves facing bills of $50,000 or more for emergency care and medical evacuation. In the United States, where health insurance is tied to employment or costly private plans, uninsured patients often delay treatment, sometimes with deadly consequences from a heart attack that could have been prevented with treatment.
People fall victim for different reasons. The optimist says, “It won’t happen to me.” The penny pincher buys the cheapest plan, only to discover exclusions result in inadequate coverage. The inattentive forgets to update coverage after a health change or assumes the details don’t matter. And the overconfident believes government or credit card policies will cover everything. Any of these errors can leave a family shattered.
Insurance is not a solitary matter. Families need to talk about it. When an elderly parent lets a policy lapse, or a young adult travels without medical coverage, the burden rarely falls on them alone. It falls on spouses, children, and siblings. A parent falling sick abroad without travel insurance may need tens of thousands of dollars wired in an emergency. A flood in an underinsured home may force relatives to step in. An accident can derail employment and wipe out a family’s security.
Talking about insurance may never make the list of life’s great pleasures. But getting the right insurance coverage is a relatively inexpensive and easy-to-accomplish determinant of your health. But remember, most insurance agents earn commissions on the policies they sell. You need to shop around, read the policies including the fine print, and ask lots of questions.
Then purchase the right coverage. You will sleep better knowing that, whatever comes, you are ready.
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contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones
A Never Ending Expectation The Millennia Old Consequences of Beauty Standards
A Never Ending Expectation
The Millennia Old Consequences of
Beauty Standards
By Camryn Bland
Youth Columnist
Growing up we are often taught, “what matters is on the inside.” Every individual is made of inspiring strengths through their personalities, hobbies, and achievements; attractiveness and aesthetics are the least interesting aspects of a person. This reminds us to judge others by their character, not appearances, as there is much more to know than what’s on the outside. This is a lesson still important today. However, it is difficult to prioritize when constantly surrounded by contradicting messages. Our society places overwhelming attention on beauty and aesthetics, making it impossible to overlook the appearances of both yourself and others.
Beauty standards have existed for thousands of years, playing a large role in the history of our society. Thousands of years ago, expensive accessories and symbols of wealth were what defined beauty. A few centuries ago, both women and men were expected to be full-figured, as a sign of prosperity. In recent years, standards have shifted, glorifying small bodies and clear skin.
Time period is not the only factor which changes expectations; even now, standards vary based on the region and culture you are immersed in. In North America, women are expected to be thin, with an hourglass figure. Men are desirable if tall and muscular, with masculine features. Slim and pale body types are seen as attractive in East Asia, which contradicts the tanned and curved ideal of Europe. Although these standards change based on time period and location, there is one thing they always have in common; their effects on mental and physical health. From unhealthy skin products to body dysmorphia, beauty standards have been negatively influencing individuals for millennia, as they fight themselves for the “perfect body.”
As a teenager, I am no stranger to beauty standards. I constantly find myself comparing my appearance to that of others. I overanalyze every outfit, constantly reapply makeup, and have an overcomplicated skincare routine. I panic at any sign of imperfection, whether that be a pimple, weight gain, or a bad hair day. Despite understanding the insignificant nature of beauty, I cannot help but critique every aspect of my own appearance.
Following beauty standards is about more than a quick hairstyle or makeup tutorial. They control body image and insecurities in an extremely damaging way. In North America, the idea of the perfect, thin body is forced onto every young girl, leaving millions of teenagers and young adults dissatisfied with their bodies. Individuals force themselves into a mold much too small through diet, binges, or purging, all for nothing.
The reality is, no body is the same. It does not matter how little you eat or how many workouts you do, you will not be able to perfect yourself in the way you hope. As people continue to pursue their dream bodies, their mental health may continue to decline. Regardless of how hard you work to achieve perfection, you may never surrender the dream of being a little skinnier, a little stronger, a little prettier.
Satisfaction with your appearance seems impossible, which is where so many mental health problems originate. Body dysmorphia, anxiety, and countless eating disorders can be inspired by the need to match beauty standards. It is a system which strives off insecurities and struggles, and in 2025, it’s stronger than ever. Millions of people worldwide struggle with body image, each in their own way. They chase their dream bodies, in hopes they will one day achieve perfection. The issue is, the finish line keeps moving, as the idea of beauty continues to shift. A perfect body is unattainable, as it is impossible to please anyone. Yet, individuals continue to obsessively diet, workout, or purge in attempts to reach the unattainable. These actions may seem insignificant, but if taken to the extreme, can be fatal.
Symptoms may begin small, however, rejecting a snack can soon lead to skipping three meals a day or purging every calorie. This lifestyle will only lead to dissatisfaction and anxiety, and in time, these habits may make it impossible to survive.
Beauty standards and body image are not insignificant issues regarding hairstyles and fashion sense. Instead, they are dangerous expectations which have been ruining lives for thousands of years. Our society places an immense emphasis on physical beauty, which can destroy the confidence of any individual. This is not an issue focused on one gender, age group, or culture; it is a global tragedy which society needs to stop normalizing.
The irony of body image is that you will never please everyone. Each culture has their own expectations concerning skin, weight, and style. What one culture sees as skinny, pale, and fashionable may be seen as overweight, tanned, and unattractive to another. It is impossible to reach every beauty standard, to be seen as perfect by all.
Instead of chasing an unattainable standard, chase what makes you happy, confident, and satisfied. As individuals, we are made of more than our looks, we are made of our personalities and character. As a society, we need to leave behind our lives of insecurities and unrealistic standards, and embrace a new age of individuality and acceptance.
Who Knows You Are Job Searching?
Education planning for your grand children?
Education planning for your grand children?
By Bruno M. Scanga
Deposit Broker, Insurance & Investment Advisor
First you were putting on their diapers. Then you walked them to their kindergarten classroom. You helped them with their math homework. You listened to their loud music through the walls.
Are you ready for what comes next?
Post-secondary education tuition can cost over $ 20,000 per year. If you have multiple children or grand children you are looking at a lot of money if you are planning on helping them out.
How can you make this process easier?
A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is one option.
Contributions to these accounts receive a 20% match from the Canadian Education Savings Grant up to $2,500 per year, which is $500 of free money. If your income is low, you can receive a 30-40% match on the first $500. Setting up a trust account is another choice to help pay for college.
Saving for Post-secondary education can appear daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
Your Financial Advisor can help create a road map so you can make progress in steps.
Before you know it, your child will be out of Post-secondary education, and you’ll be putting on diapers again – on your grandchildren.
Spoil your Grandchildren with Education
Grandparents, in their children’s eyes, can be a source of frustration. Not because they do not love their grandchildren but because of the way they express it in a material sense. Grandparents tend to buy too many things that are not age proper, too expensive or items that do not reflect the parent’s sense of value; even though the parent likely established their values based on the influence of ‘their’ parents.
It is also true that a great number of grandparents give money for birthdays, or other holidays. So how can a grandparent stay in the good graces of both their kids and grandkids? In a word; ‘education’.
Giving the Gift of Knowledge
Most of the last few generations focused on keeping a roof over their family’s head and providing food and clothing. There was little left for ‘luxuries’ and if there was, those luxuries came in the form of hockey registration and equipment (upgraded year after year), dance lessons or musical instruments.
Now that baby-boomers have reached retirement age, there is much more time on their hands and more disposable income from life-long savings and pensions. Many grandparents are turning their focus to providing their grandchildren with whatever advantages were not necessarily available for their own kids. One prominent choice of giving a gift that helps the grandchild and keeps their own children happy is an RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan).
RESP Start-up is Easy
The best time to start a RESP is the moment your grandchild is issued a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
God, Family, Country And the Courage to Speak: A Tribute to Charlie Kirk
God, Family, Country
And the Courage to Speak:
A Tribute to Charlie Kirk
By Councillor Lisa Robinson
Sometimes, a single voice can shake a nation.
Charlie Kirk has been that voice. Whether you agree with him on every issue or not, he has been unapologetic about speaking the truth — even when it made him a target. He has taken hits from the media, political elites, and powerful institutions. And yet, he has never backed down.
That matters — not just in America, but here in Canada too.
Because we are in a moment where censorship is no longer theoretical. It is not just about being “cancelled” online — it is about being silenced in real life, stripped of your reputation, your livelihood, and your ability to serve the people who elected you. I know this firsthand.
When you tell the truth in a time of moral confusion, you will be called every name in the book — hateful, bigoted, extremist, even “alt-right” or “Nazi.” And when you refuse to go along with lies, you will be treated like you are the criminal.
But here’s the truth: freedom of speech is not just about protecting polite, agreeable speech. It is about protecting the speech that makes the powerful uncomfortable — the speech that challenges official narratives, that refuses to bow to mob pressure, that defends what is right even when it is unpopular.
And no one — no one — deserves to be threatened, harassed, or assassinated for their views.
Yet that is the direction we are heading when governments, media, and political elites normalize silencing people whose words don’t fit their narrative. When you tell people that someone’s speech is “dangerous,” you justify any punishment against them — and that is a very dangerous road.
I have seen this in Pickering. Integrity Commissioners, Councils, and Codes of Conduct are being used not as tools of accountability, but as weapons — to muzzle elected officials, punish dissent, and make examples out of anyone who dares to speak out. It is easier for those in power to silence one voice than to debate them in the open.
Charlie Kirk has reminded millions that our loyalty must be first to God, family, and country — in that order. God gives us truth. Family gives us purpose. Country gives us freedom. When any of those are attacked, our duty is to stand up — loudly, clearly, and without apology.
I am standing up here in Canada because the stakes are too high to sit down. If we allow censorship to grow unchecked, if we allow speech to be policed by those in power, then democracy itself is in danger.
This is not just about politics. It is about whether truth will be allowed in the public square — or whether we will all be forced to live by government-approved lies.
Charlie Kirk has shown what it looks like to take the arrows and keep going. He has inspired countless young people to love their country, to embrace faith, and to stand strong in a culture that mocks both.
I am honoured to join that fight here at home.
Because God, family, and country are worth fighting for.
Because truth is worth fighting for.
And because freedom — once lost — is almost impossible to win back.
The time for fear is over. The time for courage is now. You’re not alone 
A LOOK AT THE “ELECT RESPECT’ MOVEMENT BEING ADOPTED BY MUNICIPAL COUNCILS
THE FORGOTTEN WORD “RESPECT”
THE FORGOTTEN WORD “RESPECT”
By Joe Ingino BA. Psychology
Editor/Publisher Central Newspapers
ACCOMPLISHED WRITER/AUTHOR OF OVER 800,000
Published Columns in Canada and The United States
I do not know about you. But I just about had enough with media broadcasts of punks going nose to nose with police.
There these 120lb punks making threatening gestures in a police officers face. I look at this and can’t help to think to myself...
I could never be a cop. I think as a society we need to have self respect first and then respect for your fellow man.
You have rights and freedoms because of the efforts of many that had ultimate respect and sacrificed in the name of humanity.
These punks in my opinion need to be dealt with extreme force.
Mess up one or two and you will see that they will have a new found respect for police.
The fact that police have to stand there and take it, is socially wrong. It shows total disrespect for society, for authority and most importantly for themselves.
Where is the family of these punks? What happened to the education system that has not taught him/her respect for authority.
I do not care the reason or excuse.
A police officer approaches. You show respect. You follow instructions. You let them do the job.
99.99% of the time if you done nothing wrong. You will walk.
The fact that you have a constitutional right to peacefully protest. Emotional affect of the constitutional right does not give you any right in becoming abusive and disrespectful.
By the same token. You have no right telling a police officer your rights or how to do his or her job.
This to me is nothing short of verbal abuse and the police in my opinion should have the right to arrest with force.
Fear is great deterrent when it comes to preventing physical altercation. If the other person feels threatened. They will very unlikely become violent.
This is the root of the argument that everyone should carry a gun that it sends a message to any possible threats that they will be met with force.
Our youth are to soft and over opinionated. They seem to think they have some God given right and no responsibility for their actions.
I think with the Trump wave sweeping North America. It is time to take our society back. You get in a police officer face. Expect to be man handled and taught respect.
No more police stepping down. No more police risking life and limb to protect a punks perceived rights. Time for parents to take responsibility for their children action and punks need to be taught respect.
What do you think?
The United Nations at 80: Reform or Relic?
The United Nations at 80:
Reform or Relic?
by Maj (ret’d) CORNELIU, CHISU, CD, PMSC
FEC, CET, P.Eng.
Former Member of Parliament
Pickering-Scarborough East
It is the end of September and once again, world leaders are gathering in New York for the annual UN assembly meeting. Prime Minister Mark Carney represented Canada at the meeting, where he engaged in several good discussions with world leaders.
As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, the question confronting the world is brutally simple: will this institution adapt to a radically changed century, or will it stumble into irrelevance like the League of Nations before it?
The UN was born from the ashes of World War II. Its architecture—especially the Security Council—was designed to reflect the power balance of 1945. However, 2025 is not 1945. The Soviet Union is gone. The colonial empires have crumbled. The United States is no longer the unquestioned hegemon. Rising powers like India, Brazil, and Nigeria clamor for recognition, while transnational threats—climate change, pandemics, cyber conflict—demand collective action no single country can manage. And yet the UN clings to a structure frozen in amber, incapable of addressing the crises it was created to solve.
Consider the Security Council. The veto power wielded by its five permanent members is the single most glaring anachronism in international politics. It is no longer a guarantor of stability; it is a straitjacket. Russia blocks action on Ukraine. The United States shields Israel from accountability. China paralyzes efforts in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the vast majority of humanity, represented by over 180 other member states, is effectively disenfranchised. This is not “collective security.” It is selective impunity.
However, the rot goes deeper than geopolitics. The UN system itself has ballooned into a sprawling bureaucracy riddled with duplication and inertia. There are more than 30 specialized agencies and programs, many with overlapping mandates, jealously guarding turf and budgets. Accountability is weak, performance is uneven, and reform efforts have historically produced cosmetic rearrangements rather than structural change.
When the world’s taxpayers demand value for money, what they see instead is mission creep, bureaucratic bloat, and a culture that rewards process over results.
At the same time, the UN faces a funding crisis of its own making. Reliance on a few large donors has left it vulnerable to political whims. With U.S. contributions declining and arrears mounting from others, the organization is slashing jobs and even proposing to shutter agencies like UNAIDS. This is not the sign of a confident institution; it is the desperation of one that has lost both purpose and patronage.
Defenders of the status quo insist that, for all its flaws, the UN remains indispensable. They point to peacekeeping missions that have prevented conflicts from spiraling, to humanitarian agencies that deliver food and medicine to millions, to frameworks like the Paris Agreement that would be unthinkable without UN convening power. These achievements are real. However, they are not enough to justify complacency. An institution cannot live forever on past glory. It must demonstrate present relevance.
So what does renewal look like?
First, it means confronting the veto. Without reforming or abolishing this outdated privilege, the Security Council will remain a monument to dysfunction. Even modest reforms—such as expanding permanent seats to include emerging powers, or requiring multiple vetoes to block action—would be steps toward legitimacy.
Second, it requires a ruthless audit of mandates. The UN cannot be all things to all people. Agencies that have outlived their purpose should be consolidated or closed. Resources must be redirected to core functions: preventing war, protecting human rights, and coordinating truly global challenges like climate and health.
Third, funding must be put on a stable and equitable footing. Member states must pay their dues, but beyond that, innovative financing—such as levies on global carbon markets, financial transactions, or tech giants that benefit from global public goods—could create sustainable revenue streams independent of national politics. Finally, renewal demands a change of culture. The UN must abandon the insularity and ritual that have too often defined its diplomacy. It must engage citizens directly, not just governments. Civil society, cities, and even corporations are now major actors in global affairs; they must have meaningful seats at the table.
Let’s look at Canada’s Place in UN Renewal
Canada likes to brand itself as a “middle power” and a faithful custodian of the international order. From Lester Pearson’s Nobel Prize for inventing UN peacekeeping in the 1950s to decades of enthusiastic support for development aid, Ottawa has built its identity around the UN. However, the gap between rhetoric and reality is growing.
In recent years, Canada has failed to win a seat on the Security Council, a reminder that nostalgia does not equal influence. Our peacekeeping contributions are now a fraction of what they once were. Funding for UN programs, though still significant, has not kept pace with our aspirations.
And on issues like Security Council reform, Canada has been cautious to the point of irrelevance.
If Canada truly believes in the UN, it cannot sit on the sidelines of renewal. It should champion concrete reform proposals—limiting the veto, expanding representation for the Global South, and stabilizing funding mechanisms. It should put real political capital on the line, not just fine words in speeches. Canada’s credibility as a multilateral leader will be judged not by nostalgia for Pearsonian peacekeeping, but by whether it has the courage in 2025 to help pull the UN into the 21st century. If we fail, we risk being remembered as a country that cheered the UN’s legacy while watching passively as it slid into irrelevance. Hope the Canadian government is listening.
Reform or Relic
None of this will be easy. Entrenched powers will resist change, clinging to privileges they see as eternal. Bureaucrats will bury reform in committees. Cynics will scoff that the UN has survived eight decades without fundamental renewal, and therefore will muddle through another. However this complacency is dangerous. History shows that institutions that fail to adapt eventually collapse. The League of Nations seemed permanent in 1920. By 1940 it was a hollow shell.
The United Nations stands at a crossroads. Either it chooses the path of bold renewal—reinventing itself to meet the challenges of this century—or it will drift into obsolescence, a grand stage for empty speeches while real power shifts elsewhere. The stakes could not be higher. In a world riven by war, inequality, and planetary emergency, a credible, effective UN is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
However, necessity is not destiny. Unless member states summon the courage to reform what they have built, the 80th anniversary of the UN may be remembered less as a milestone than as the beginning of its decline. Let us hope for a promising future without wars.
Saturday, September 20, 2025
So Hidden in Healthcare? Why Is Information So Hidden in Healthcare?
Why Is Information
So Hidden in
Healthcare?
By Diana Gifford
Several weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of factual debates. This week let’s talk about transparency. It’s one of those words that gets thrown around in health discussions. Politicians promise it. Hospital administrators profess it. Insurance companies advertise it. But when ordinary people go looking for reliable information about their own health, we hit a wall, there’s silence, or confusion prevails.
Take something as basic and important as our own medical records. In Canada, we’ve been talking about universal digital access for years. Yet in many provinces, it is still astonishingly hard to get a picture of your health history. In Ontario, there are perplexing tools, portals and disjointed systems, and even after years of public outrage, we still don’t have good access to our records. Most people still end up calling around, waiting for responses, or even paying fees to see their own information. And it’s not that sharing personal or sensitive information isn’t possible. We can check our bank balance in an instant, but not the results of a blood test taken last week.
There are brighter spots. In British Columbia, the Health Gateway app lets residents pull up lab results, imaging reports, immunizations, and medications going back decades. Updates appear within days. This is proof that transparency is possible when the will exists. It also highlights the inequity of a patchwork system where some Canadians enjoy open access to their records and others remain in the dark.
In the U.S., the issue shows up in different ways. In 2021, for example, a U.S. law came into effect requiring hospitals to post the prices of common procedures online so patients could shop around. It sounds like common sense, especially in a system where patients are paying costs out of pocket. Yet when investigators first looked, they found most hospitals ignored the rule or buried the information in ways that were incomprehensible to patients. Some reports put compliance as low as 14 percent. Even today, after penalties were increased, many hospitals remain noncompliant. Progress is being made, but patients are still left asking: if restaurants can post menus online, why can’t hospitals share something as fundamental as their prices?
What unites these examples is that transparency is never just a technical problem. The systems exist. The technology exists. What’s missing is the decision to put users of healthcare ahead of providers. What’s worse is deliberate obfuscation. A lack of openness doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects vested interests – whether governments that want to downplay wait times, hospitals reluctant to expose their performance, or corporations that profit from complexity.
It doesn’t have to be this way. When patients have access to their records, they become partners in their care rather than passive recipients. When people can compare prices or outcomes, they can hold institutions accountable. Transparency builds trust, reduces misinformation, and forces systems to improve. Opacity, on the contrary, breeds frustration, suspicion, and inequity.
I also want to be transparent with you. My father, Dr. W. Gifford-Jones, was a physician. I am not. I know some readers have assumed otherwise, and I don’t want there to be any confusion. What I can offer is continuity of his work, which was never about hype or fads. For fifty years, his column translated medical research into plain language and encouraged readers to weigh evidence for themselves. That remains my goal: to report honestly, to point readers to credible sources, and to highlight where the system is letting people down.
It is time for health care in Canada, the United States, and everywhere else, to be a lot more transparent.
_________________________________________________________________________
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contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones
The Gift of Rejection - How Failure Grows Into Success
The Gift of Rejection
How Failure Grows into Success,
Opportunities, and Life Lessons
By Camryn Bland
Youth Columnist
Every individual has unique strengths, and with them, unique weaknesses.
Perfection is a goal impossible to reach, a concept strengthened through every failure.
However, it can be extremely difficult to accept our mistakes and appreciate the life lessons they are. Too often, we choose agitation, disappointment, or self doubt when faced with rejection, something which only intensifies the negative experience. Each mistake strengthens the fear of failure, paralyzing every goal.
Like many others, I struggle with accepting rejection and failure. I have never let a busy schedule, difficult assignment, or personal stress stand in the way of my goals, which is why rejection feels so devastating. When I put in all my effort and fall short, I am left feeling incompetent.
Although I have had many successes, I have also been weighed down by my share of rejection. One of my most prominent failures was during an eighth grade speech competition, when I did not place first, second, or even third out of the five contestants. As an anxious perfectionist, even at fourteen, the loss broke my heart. This competition was where my fear of failure originated, however, many other experiences have since grown it. Early in high school, I was rejected from student council, an extracurricular which I had my eye set on for years. In the past year, I was rejected from my school board's Presidents Council for two roles. I have auditioned for leads in drama productions, only to be given narrators or understudies instead. I have studied for hours on end, to sometimes end up with a mediocre grade or an underwhelming assignment. Each one of these failures left me feeling hollow and confused, and even now, these memories sting. Each experience made me feel unworthy of prior confidence, and uncertain about my future.
In the wake of all my disappointments, I have also found many successes. Though I lost a speech competition, I was awarded Valedictorian a few months later. I wasoriginally rejected from student council, however I earned a spot the following year. I have been part of a first-place debate team, acted in multiple drama productions, and received many academic honors. Despite these victories, I felt incomplete. To me, every mistake was worth five victories, leaving me in a hopeless decline of confidence.
Until recently, I have let simple errors overshadow every success. Each failure felt like a stab at my confidence, my abilities, and my goals. In reality, my issue with failure wasn’t simply what I was being denied, it was the self-doubt it sparked within me. For as long as I can remember, I have chased perfection in everything I do, which results in the highest highs and the lowest lows. Every success filled me with confidence and joy, which could easily be destroyed by one mistake. Every failure forced me to ask the question, am I not enough? After countless disappointments, I’ve begun to understand I
am enough.
My fear of failure stemmed from my own pride, which I have slowly begun to recover. It takes time to accept my failures, and understand they do not take away from my successes. My victories far outnumber my failures, proving that I am worth more than my worst moments. I am made of more than rejection, and this is something I have begun to learn in my day-to-day life.
Rejection is an inevitable aspect of the human experience. It may sound cliche, but each failure is an opportunity to learn perseverance, humility, and self-awareness. I believe everything happens for a reason, and that what is meant to happen will happen; if an opportunity passes me by, it is not right for me. This belief helps me fight perfectionism and keeps me striving towards my passions.
Failure will always be a part of life, whether that be in school, employment, or our personal lives. What matters is not the setback and disappointment, but how we respond to them. Regardless of the risks, it is crucial to pursue your passions. No matter what, it is worth it to shoot your shot; you will either reach your goals, or be granted the gift of rejection.
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