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Just like much of the world, I am shocked and saddened as I hear the news about Whitney Houston – dead at the age of 48. I’ve always loved Whitney’s music – her voice was so amazing and until recent years, her onstage presence could make us forget all about the demons she battled privately. Not only did she fight an ongoing battle with mind-altering substance addiction, she also was in the spotlight several times as a result of domestic violence with her husband Bobby Brown. Despite her many … [Read more...] about Whitney Houston: Thank You for Your Help

I recently went to a talk given by Gabor Maté, a medical doctor, author and speaker, who spent many years working with hard-core addicts and alcoholics , as well as people with HIV/AIDS, in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.  His talk, as always, was brilliant and inspirational – but there was one point he made that continues to resonate with me. Dr. Maté explained that most people, when faced with the choice of either attachment or authenticity in their relationships, will go for attachment first, … [Read more...] about Attachment or Authenticity: Which Would You Choose?

5 Tips for Avoiding Holiday Stress and Overindulgence This Season 1) Lower your expectations - especially if you are a perfectionist. Lower the bar of perfection you may have set for yourself, and see if you can't enjoy the holidays as much – and perhaps even more -- when you don't try to live up to Martha Stewart standards. Just be yourself and do what feels healthy and good for you. 2) Be realistic in your holiday expectations. The holidays can set us up for a fall. Everywhere in the … [Read more...] about 5 Tips for Avoiding Holiday Stress and Overindulgence

Several weeks ago, my brother sent me an article from the Financial Post -- and my life changed in an instant. My brother and I were born in the United States, but we left as teens. I have lived and worked in Canada for close to the last four decades, as a proud Canadian citizen. The article talked about the fact that the U.S. is the only country in the world that taxes its citizens who are neither living in the U.S. nor working there. Even if American ex-pats are not earning an income there, … [Read more...] about Get Out of My Pocket, Uncle Sam: US Tax Law Hits Canadians with a Sledgehammer

I’ve seen Amy Winehouse perform on TV several times over the past few years – and I was always amazed at how much her voice reminded me of Janis Joplin’s.  I was a big Janis fan back in the day, and although Amy’s music wasn’t as resonant for me personally, I do know that for many, she was a ‘voice’ of her generation – and a musical inspiration to many other young soulful artists. I’m greatly saddened by her death. Very few among us could have any idea what it must have been like for a young, … [Read more...] about Amy Winehouse: “No no no” to Rehab