7 Ways You Can Find Meaning And Fulfill Your Dreams

Finding meaning in our lives is the most important thing for living a good life. However, many people find their lives are dry and dull. Some people live in daily despondency, living from day to day--same job, same routine, same fixes.

The psychologist, Victor Frankl, and author of Man's Search for Meaning, wrote books, lectured, and spoke in endless interviews about the importance of finding meaning in our lives. He claimed that the majority of people actually desire a life of meaning over simply making money; that living a meaningful life leads to greater happiness than chasing the next dollar. 

Here are some very simple tips for finding meaning in your life:

1. Follow your dream: All of us have a dream inside; one that is beyond simply getting rich. There is something inside of us that, if pursued, would give us a great sense of meaning. Unfortunately, the demands of money and jobs and other responsibilities have a way of blocking our dreams from being realized. But you don't need to succumb to this. Following your dream is easy: simply do it little by little everyday. Be patient with yourself, and simply do it. Don't expect to complete it by next month, for such things take time.

2. Ask what life needs from you: This is a great question that comes out of Victor Frankl. In a Nazi concentration camp, he explains, a friend of his was considering ending his life. He told Frankl there was nothing more life could do for him, to which Frankl replied, "Would you consider not what you need from life, but rather what life needs from you?" When you look at your life in this way, as living a life that demands something of your talents, then you are more open to finding meaning.

3. Give of yourself: Yes, yes, we've all heard it: it's not what you get but what you give--yet it's true! When we give of ourselves to others we can find incredible meaning. This is the age of the selfie; but don't you see the irony? Selfie's point to loneliness, and are sent to others who are not with you, but also lonely. We walk around lonely, yet serving ourselves more and more, only to find more emptiness and loneliness. When we give of ourselves, we are not alone; and we find a joy beyond merely filling our own whimsical needs.

4. Help someone else find their dream: Do you know people who are struggling for meaning? Do you know people who have dreams but can't actualize them? They need you; but it requires you believing in their dream and seeing them as greater than who they are presenting themselves. By helping another find his or her dream, you will find joy. But you must believe they are greater than they perceive themselves to be; it takes time and presence to see inside them to that little seed that wants to grow and burgeon into something beautiful. 

5. Be unconventional: Often people who pursue their dreams live outside of the conventions of the world that are created by the system that is opposed to dream-living. Following your dream may take you outside the comfort zones of friends and family; but if they see your love for them and for your dream, they will be supportive. But be prepared for many to try to pull you back into complacency--misery loves company. Instead of being angry and avoidant, however, try to bring them along. Shedding the conventions of life could be a critical step to following your dream.

6. Turn poison to medicine: It's often in suffering that we find meaning in our lives; our will to preserver in the face of pain and anguish. It is in the working through and pushing through suffering that we turn its poison to medicine. Like the anti-venom that's made from the deadly poison of the snake, so too we can find healing in suffering; we can find meaning in tragedy.

7. Believe: We must believe in ourselves, in our ability to overcome hardships and set-backs, and pursue our dreams in spite of all the forces that well up against us. This often requires a change of mindset; it requires that we choose to see things in a positive light, or as circumstances toward which our attitudes can be changed. While we can't change the circumstances, we can change our attitudes toward them, and choose to see them as obstacles to get around, rather than as that which makes us hopeless. 

What Not To Do When It's 40-Below And You've Got The Blues

With minus 40 degree temperatures--albeit with windchill--it's hard not to get the blues and languish in your home and pine after some kind of thaw. Even your dog is getting tired of being stuck inside all day with only the shortest walks. 

Here's a list of things not to do when you've got the blues and it's forty-below outside:

1. Don't go outside: Obvious eh? Well, you'd be surprised. On the coldest days, it's not uncommon for me to see people out for a 'leisurely walk', or, just as pathetic, joggers out there wear only a layer of clothing with all the fervour that comes with fighting yourself, the weather, or whatever else. Best to regulate time outside to going from house to vehicle to destination to vehicle to house again.

2. Don't walk your dog: Think about walking through ice and snow in your bare feet for 25 minutes in 40-below temperatures; now look at your feet in your imagination upon returning home. What do they look like? Think you'll be feeling them within the next 48 hours? Think it might be best to see a doctor? How do you think your dog feels? They may not tell you, but they experience tremendous cold on their feet. Some trainers go so far as to advise not to take your dog for a walk in minus-10 and below--it's just not good for them. 

3. Don't drink more alcohol: Just because you've got the blues, doesn't mean you should slake them with greater doses of alcohol. As we know, alcohol is a depressant, so drinking more of it is only going to give you more blues once the inebriation has worn off. 

4. Don't mess with medication: If you're on a prescription for anti-depressants, or for other kinds of emotional issues, now's probably not the time to forget taking them, or trying some die-hard plan for getting off them, like cold-turkey. In times of winter blues, you want to keep things routine, and not add on more stress and bio-chemical changes to your body.

5. Don't overeat: When we're feeling bad, food can make us feel good--but not if we're overeating. We can gain weight, experience health problems, and just get more and more down. Try to stick to a routine of moderate eating. Not to say that a night in watching movies with a plate of chocolate cake is a catastrophe--we all need to enjoy ourselves; but when it turns to the entire cake, it's time to re-evaluate.

6. Don't over-dose on on-line shopping: Shopping can give you a buzz like anything else; and with online shopping, it's easy to spend hours from your couch glutting yourself on any kind of product imaginable; and who doesn't like receiving a little present from Canada Post to your front door or mail box? But if you're doing it compulsively to fight winter, you could find yourself in financial trouble. You'll need to stay in control of your emotions and your index finger on the mouse button. 

7. Don't lose hope: This is the most important one of the bunch. When you lose hope, when you lose a will to find meaning in your life, you are capable of hurting yourself. Don't lose hope--spring will arrive, the sun will shine, the winter will give way to viridescent grass and burgeoning flowers. That day will come--maybe not soon enough, but it will come. Hold on; be of courage; don't lose hope. 

Don't Travel With Your Laptop Without Reading These 9 Tips

Are you planning to travel with your laptop? Are you aware of the security risks this decision poses? 

You’ve probably heard the news story: The laptop of an IT consultant for Medicentres Canada was stolen back in September, 2013. The startling thing was that it contained the health information of 620,000 Albertans—provincial health card numbers, billing codes, and diagnostic codes of individuals seen at Medicentres (walk-in clinics) between May 2, 2011 and Sept. 10, 2013, according to CBC News. The laptop was unencrypted—fully open to anyone who could get his or her hands on it, and lap up the spoils of valuable information on more than ½ million people. The fear is that such a mass breach of information could result in identity theft, land titles and mortgage fraud, not to mention break and entry—these are the few items brought to court in a current $11M class-action lawsuit by .

In an age of information such as ours, where information is currency, what you carry on your laptop could be very lucrative to a would-be thief. You go to great lengths when you travel to protect your money and your luggage—it’s just as important to protect the content of your laptop, should it get into the wrong hands. 

Here are 9 tips that will help you keep it safe:

1. Ask Why: Why are you bringing your laptop with you on your trip? If it’s business, this may be self-evident; however, it you’re going away on a leisure trip, perhaps your tablet or mobile phone will suffice. Ask this question: Is it really worth the risk of having it stolen and compromised?

2. Be Aware of Risks:

Many laptops get snatched when going through security, so it is important to keep a close eye on it. Only put it on the belt when it is your turn to step up for inspection. If you’re traveling to US from another country, the border patrol agents can confiscate your laptop if they deem it appropriate—without warrant or probable cause. Be aware of all border laws in any foreign country you’re traveling to, then go back to (1). More than 60,000 computers are stolen from airports annually in the United States alone.

3. Keep it in a solid travel-and-security friendly laptop bag: In such a bag, it only needs to be removed when you are using it. Make sure it has a padded sleeve and is TSA compliant—that way, you only have to unfold the bag to have it screened.

4. Consider buying a cable lock: While it can be easily cut through, they can serve as a deterrent in public—who wants to have to go through the trouble of cutting the cord. You can by a simple combination cable lock at Amazon.

5. Use location software: services like Apple’s own “Find My Mac” will help you locate a stolen laptop if it goes missing. Also good in the event that you happen to leave it somewhere, like on a cab or something. They work best when you sign up in advance, so make these arrangements before your trip.

6. Do not keep personal identifiable information on your laptop: This might be difficult, but is the safest bet if your laptop were to be stolen. And if the laptop contains sensitive files that you don’t need, keep them at home. Remove them from the hard drive onto another system disk.

7. Encrypt your sensitive data: Encrypting data is not that difficult anymore. Check out tools like TrueCrypt: an open-source encryption service that is automatic, real-time, and transparent. The thief may get your machine, but will not be able to access your data.

8. Use security software, lock screen, and a strong password: Protect your information from as many angles as possible: make sure you have strong security software installed, and a good strong password. Also, set it to lock when it goes to sleep.

9. Use a VPN (Virtual Personal Network): If you’re using different networks—in airports or hotels—a good VPN will be important for keep you safe while logging into personally sensitive information, such as bank accounts, etc. Check out CNET for a list of trustworthy VPNs.

There are all kinds of further information about these and other safety tips—the key is to be safe. Again, if you don’t need to travel with your laptop, it’s best to stick to something more portable and not personal information-rich.

What If All Your Information, Photos, Music On Your Devices Were Lost? 6 Ways To Protect The Things You Love

Vint Cerf is known as one of the founding father's of the internet, and now a VP and Chief Internet Evangelist of Google. In a recent talk at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Cerf warned that human knowledge is under a grave threat. The cause? Rapid technological and software development. 

For instance, when you upload 500 photos to your computer, say in iPhoto, how do you know they're secure? If all your music is on iTunes, or some other music storage software, how do you know they'll be simply included in the next OSX upload? 

A friend of mind told me the other day that most of his library is made up of e-books, with much of it backed up on DropBox. When I questioned him about how confident he felt about their security, he initially replied, "Well, I have them backed up on two other computers." "Yes," I continued, "but how do you know DropBox won't at some point delete them, and the software on your computers rejects them in the next system update?"

Vint Cerf calls this threat that of "bit rot": when old computer files become worthless junk. 

The irony at the heart of all of this is that we as a civilization are going to great lengths to protect and restore our knowledge hundreds of years into the future--the reason for technology--and yet the very tools we are using are actually threatening its survival. 

According to Cerf, if you care about your photos, print them out.

In this spirit, here are some tips for surviving bit rot, and helping the preservation of human knowledge at the same time:

1. Print stuff out: Hard copies of your files may seem outdated and cumbersome, but if you care about it, print it out. And this goes not only for photos, but also documents, and, if possible, e-books.

2. Buy real books: Over the past year I've been focusing my book buying on reference material, such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, books on news headlines of the '80s and '90s, etc. Other books included in this search are those on survival, building stuff, and other practical guides to things that one would need to know should the internet get wiped out. With all the digitizing of knowledge, this is a great time to buy books. Everyone should have a small (or large) library in their homes.

3. Buy real music: If you love your music collection, consider backing it up in the real world, that is on record or CD. There are communities of 'vintage' users of such forms of media through which you can find record players, and even have them serviced. Compared to carrying thousands of songs on your phone, having a library of vinyl seems barbaric. But I'm sure I'm not the only one who has awakened one day to find half my digital music library lost during some systems update. 

4. Support libraries and book stores: While libraries seem to be in a renascence, book stores are fading out like rainforest trees; and yet, they are the true gate keepers of human knowledge. Indeed, books can be damaged through flood and fire; however, it's still a very secure way of having long-lasting information. Reading and collecting books that are two-hundred years old is nothing extraordinary. If bookstores complete die out, then that means our books have become primarily digital, and thus vulnerable.

5. Consider a typewriter: If you're working on valuable documents, it might not be a bad idea to work on it first on a typewriter--at least you'll always have a hard-copy, and you can scan it to your computer if need be. 

6. Handwrite notes: I carry several little notebooks and a pen around--people think I'm crazy; but I'm always looking for the next idea, and I no longer trust note apps on my phone to keep track of it all for me. If it's in ink in a notebook, I don't have to worry about losing it. As well, if it's personal information, I don't have to worry about someone hacking into it.

Again, according to Cerf, the problem is that we have all this digital information whose bits may be preserved, but if we lack the proper software to interpret the bits into accessible information, we are out of luck. The larger issue is that for the first time in human civilization, we are creating information in a form whose long-term survival is not uncertain. And if we don't correct this, Cerf concludes, our generation may be a forgotten one. 

You've Gotta Read This If You're In The Winter Blues--Steps To Help Get You To The Other Side

You've got snowbanks that only Andre the Giant could see over, it's the coldest it's been all year, and you've been cooped up inside for the past two weeks eating junk food and watching Friends re-runs--all just to feel good. But the more you do it, the worse you feel, and the farther you plummet into that downward spiral of despondency. As tall as the snow banks, as low as the winter blues.

So what can you do? C'mon--think! There's got to be something to get us out of these blues! Something... What is it?... Any ideas? None? C'mon--gotta have some ideas no? It can't be anymore Friends episodes--besides, once Chandler and what's her name eventually hooked up, all the tension went out of the show. Didn't they learn anything from Fraser when Niles and Daphne got together and killed the show--or vice versa?

Now, brain science tells us that freaking out releases cortisol which, upon entering our brains, actually lowers our IQ for a period of time--so going into winter blues panic isn't going to help us. We need a good burst of serotonin--the happy neurotransmitter. Ya--that's it! We want to get good doses of serotonin. We want to feel good...

Here are a few suggestions for breaking those habits that have crept up on us over the past month:

1. Clean out your cupboards: That's right--clean them out of GMO, high cholesterol, high fructose, high salt, high fat foods. Much of how we feel is related to how we eat. Switch over to some good fruits and vegetables--whole foods, before the organic food chain took over that phrase. Even if you're shopping at a place like Whole Foods, you're not necessarily buying the healthiest food, unless its really whole, plant-based, foods--so be careful. Clean out rancid cooking oils, and buy yourself some coconut oil and a bottle of olive oil--that's it. None of that Canola stuff. As well, get rid of the chemical fabric softeners, heavy chemical floor, toilet, and appliance cleaners--that stuff will make you sick as well. Switch over to natural organic cleaning products (you can get them now in most stores).

2. Unplug electronics at night: Unplug wifi when you go to sleep, or simply when you're not using it, for it releases microwaves that can cause migraines, sleeplessness, and even brain malfunction--especially in children. Shut off and unplug computers and phones, especially if they're in your bedroom.

3. Eat whole foods: As mentioned above, get yourself some good plant-based foods like kale and chard and beets and garlic. Make them into salads (but use only healthy dressings) or juice them. You'll feel a major boost of energy, and you won't feel as sluggish. As well, if you're not exercising as much in the winter, it's best to cut down overall on your food intake to prevent the creeping up of extra pounds.

4. Vitamins: If you're on medication, check with your doctor before taking any vitamins. One of the big sources of vitamins lost during dark winter months is Vitamin D. And even if you're eating citrus, some extra Vitamin C won't hurt. Take a good Calcium-Magnesium to keep your bones and teeth strong.

5. Community: Social interaction is very healthy. Some studies have shown that even people who drink alcohol (whose overall unhealthiness, especially for cognitive performance, is receiving more attention) with others are less ill than those who drink alone, simply because of its social context. Best to get out with others around activities that don't include depressants, such as exercise and community service.

6. Fast and/or cleanse: Yep--you've read this right. There are innumerable health benefits to fasting once a week, such as not eating from supper the night before until lunch the following day. You can also research different kinds of cleanses, such as fasting an entire day by drinking only liquids. Either way, fasting will you release toxins in your body that are part of a blue mood.

9 Easy Ways You Can Bring The Awesome Back To Your Vehicle Interior

It's mid-February, and if your vehicle is anything like mine, its interior is in need of a solid cleaning. Now, this post is for those who still like to DIY your car cleaning. However, for about $30 you can have it professionally done at any car dealer--I've done it before, and it's a great service. But I would put that off till Spring when you know snow, salt, and ice won't be jimmying their way into your vehicle.

1. Slide seats forward and clean out the junk underneath: This is a brutal job—definitely enemy territory. Lord only knows what’s under there: bowl of half-eaten cereal, baby’s diaper, take-out refuse. Also clean out those door pockets.

2. Vacuum: After clearing all that stuff out, vacuum the seats, remove the mats and vacuum the carpet underneath. If you have a brush feature on your vacuum, use it on the dashboard control panel of your car.

3. Get Serious: Use a Carpet Cleaning Machine: If you look under your rubber mats and the carpet is in rough shape, you might want to consider renting a carpet cleaning machine for both the carpets and cloth seats, if applicable.

4. Use a Microfibre Cloth for Surfaces: Wipe down the dashboard and in and around the doors, plastic armrests, etc—anywhere it is dusty.

5. Clean Inside of Windows: Use either a window-cleaner, a natural, non-chemical product is recommended, or make your own with one-part vinegar and three-parts water in a spray bottle. Use a rag or paper towel to remove streaks. And remember: open the window to reveal the top edge and get that whole area clean—it’s one of those things you just can’t hide when you’ve drawn down the window on that commute home.

6. Brush Out Air Vents: These louvers are a real magnet for dust, and a vacuum with brush attachment won’t get at it all. Take an inexpensive paintbrush and a light shot of Pledge furniture polish. Work the brush in and through the crevices to collect the dust. Wipe the brush off with a rag and move on to the next one.

7. Scrape Off Annoying Stickers: Have your or someone else’s kids gone sticker crazy in the back windows of your car? High-quality stickers will pull off if you can get under a corner and work it carefully through at a 90-degree angle. Others will leave grimy residue and demand more attention. Use a plastic putty knife and some Goo Gone to get rid of it.

8. Remove Odor: There are countless products on the market to get rid of those nasty odors in your vehicle. Choose one you like, and put it to use. Just because you have a dog or a child, doesn’t mean your car should smell like it.

9. Take it Out for a Spin: Enjoy your clean car. Get it out for a spin—it’ll feel great. Just remember to lay some newsprint down on the floor to keep it spotless—at least for one day…

How Valentine's Day Can Be Ruff For Pets And What You Can Do About It

Thinking of sending a bouquet of flowers this Valentine’s Day to a loved one or sweet heart? Does he/she have a pet?  Or, have you received chocolates or bouquets of flowers, or both, and you own a pet? If so, here are some common risks Valentine’s Day poses to your pet(s).

Valentine’s Day is a popularized day in which one is to express love to someone else—but this should also be directed to your pet, whether dog or cat or bird. According to a Canadian survey taken in 2011, of the overall percentage of Canadian households, 38% own cats and 35% own dogs. And a striking 59% of Canadians say the bond they share with their dog/cat is as strong or stronger than the bonds they share with their family and friends. 

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) cases of poison control involving pets increase around Valentine’s Day; for owners often leave gifts and candies in their homes unaware that certain foods are toxic to animals. 

The following are things to watch for when either having received a Valentine’s Day gift, or are planning to send one to someone you love who owns a pet.

1. Asiatic Lilies: These are popular flowers commonly included in bouquets, but are toxic to pets. What specifically causes the toxicity is obscure, but the toxicity itself involves damage to the renal tubular epithelium (composing the substance of the kidney and secreting, collecting, and conducting urine), which can cause renal failure. Exposure to any part of a lily, including the petals, stem, leaves, and even the water, can lead to varying levels of toxicity, particularly in cats. Keep bouquets out of reach of your cats; and if you suspect exposure by your cat, call your local veterinarian right away. If you are sending a bouquet of flowers to a cat-owner, then make sure that you send one with another, non-toxic, substitute for the lilies.

2. Roses: Pretty obvious risk here with the ingestion of thorns, not to mention all the chemicals, dyes, and sprays they may be treated with. This can be particularly harmful to pet birds. 

3. Chocolate: Dogs have a sense of smell 100,000 times greater than humans, hence can identify gift-wrapped sweets right down to the minutest detail. Chocolate, particularly, contains theobrimine, a chemical similar to caffeine that dogs do not tolerate well. Dogs that inadvertently get into a box of chocolates can experience clinical signs of stomach upset, agitation, high heart rates, and tremors, if left untreated. 

4. Miscellany: Other quite obvious dangers are balloons/gift wrappings  (choking/suffocation), alcohol (vomiting), and candles (burns and fire hazards).

Keep your pets or the pets of your Valentine safe. Keep your treats and goodies out of reach of your beloved pets. If you are sending gifts to your Valentine and he or she owns a pet, there’s nothing that can kill the romance as much as insensitivity to the health needs of his or her beloved pet.

Got Extreme Cold Conditions And Want To Know How To Stay Warm? These 6 Tips Will Keep The Shivers Away

Extreme weather is when temperatures drop below average, and is typically preceded by an Environment Canada warning. It's important that you are well prepared for such weather, even if you've grown up in this climate and have a tendency to underestimate it. Best thing is to be prepared, and these tips will help you.

1. Dress Warmly: Sounds simple, and it is. If you're heading out to work and don't want to wear your parka and boots, take them with you in the trunk in the event you get stuck or involved in an accident.  Have something to cover your face, like a good scarf,and always keep your head covered. The thing with wind chill is that the wind rapidly sweeps heat from your body, so even if the temperature doesn't seem that cold, it's the wind you have to watch out for.

2. Rock out your vehicle safety kit: Here you've got to get your McGuyver on and pack things in your car that you'll need in the event you get stuck, such as a good multi-tool, a foldable shovel, kitty litter, candles, a solar charger for your mobile phone, and other things you can read here.

3. Don't exert yourself: Extreme cold can put a great deal of stress on your body, especially your heart. If you have a heart condition, wait till the weather gets warmer before shovelling your driveway, or, if you must, ask a neighbour or loved-one to do it, or pay someone to provide the service for you.

4. Use Salt: You don't want slippery walkways, driveways, and sidewalks. With extreme temperature, you could have flash-freezing take place. Use salt or other chemical treatments to reduce and clear the ice; or, if you like neither of those options, laying gravel down will provide enough traction for pedestrians.

5. If you're stranded...: Move blankets and warm clothes from the trunk to inside the vehicle and wrap yourself up. Run the motor for ten minutes every hour, removing any snow from the exhaust pipe to reduce carbon monoxide poisoning. Set up pilons behind your vehicle to protect you from being struck, call CAA or whatever other service you're a member of and wait it out. You should have your candles handy as well to help keep you warm. Stay awake, so you'll be less likely to succumb to cold-related health issues.

6. Recognize hypothermia: For adults: shivering, exhaustion, mumbling, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech. For children: bright red-coloured skin, and very low energy.

The key is prevention. If you're heading out on the road during these weather conditions, make sure you're prepared for it. If you're reading this during a time of normal weather conditions, use this time to set yourself and family up for the next extreme cold spell.

5 Awesome Tips For Becoming A Better Driver

Have you had problems with driving? Accidents, infractions, tickets? Do you have a tendency to freeze up when you drive, or become anxious when on busy roads? Or how about driving under the influence of an illegal substance? If you're having serious problems, you may need to seek the help of a psycho-therapist who can clinically help you get over your phobia or behavioural issues.  However, if you are having issues deemed mild in nature, these tips might come in handy.

There is a growing body of research on motivation that sheds light on the difference between success and failure, achievement and falling short, some of which I covered in a previous post. While these five tips are applied to driving, they are applicable to any other areas of achievement.

1. Believe in yourself: this is the first important thing. Whether you feel like you're a terrible driver, or just can't drive in the city, you have to believe you can actually become better and more confident. Many people avoid discomforting situations, which causes further discouragement and then further avoidance. By believing you can be more confident and capable of changing you will be on the right track to change.

2. Skill can be developed: by believing in yourself first, you will be open to acquiring the skills you need to become better at whatever your falling short in. Believing in yourself doesn't negate the need for skill development. If you lack skill, thinking you're a good driver will not make you one. However, believing you can overcome your obstacles will propell you to learn what you need to. Watching an instruction video on YouTube, getting tips from a friend or professional, reading books are all ways you can improve your skill. 

3. Bite-size accomplishments: if you are nervous about city driving, then heading down to Yonge and Dundas in Toronto to get over your fear might be overwhelming. Start instead with smaller busier streets and work your way up to Yonge and Dundas. You must continue believing you can do it, you have the capability to do it, and with a little experience  you will accomplish your goal. Also, work at it daily. If your issue is checking your blind spot or mirrors, then intentionally practice checking them.

4. Think growth: if you believe that you're too old to improve or that the the world has passed you by or that some are simply better than others, then you won't be open to change. If however you believe in your own growth, regardless of age or passed failures, you will grow. 

5. Set-backs are situational not reflective of capability: those who succeed and grow view set-backs as the result of situations that are beyond themselves. They don't blame others if they are the cause of the problems, but then they just move on and learn from the experience. Maybe you had a bad day; maybe you experienced a hardship; maybe you were ill. Those setbacks may be simply an example of a poor performance, but not lack of capability. If you've experienced set-backs and failures, find ways to learn from them, pull your chin up and grow. Like Rocky said in Rocky VII, "It's not how many times you've been knocked down, but how many times you've been knocked down and get up and keep moving forward."

We are capable of more than we realize. By working on your weaknesses, seeking help from others, learning new ways of thinking and responding to challenges, you will be able to achieve those things you desire.

Tobogganers Of The World Unite! Or: How To Safely Toboggan and Protest At The Same Time

Image From National Post 

If you're looking to get out there and protest something, don't really like your options thus far--Occupy Wall Street is a bit intense and dishevelled, and abortion and euthanasia too controversial--and are simply looking for a fun-kind of protest, something that you can take your kids to and possibly get some exercise while you're at it, you can join the emergent cadre of Pro-Tobagganers at a snowy slope near you (or, like other radicals, you can travel to other places like Niagara Falls, Hamilton, or hop on a plane to Edmonton--so many options to choose from). 

Indeed, in the spirit of the war of 1812, we Canadians may be skittish (and let's face it, too refined) to fight for our right to party, but we certainly know when to throw-down in the face of immanent threats to those activities (especially those that deal with tons of snow) that we cherish as national identities. For if tobogganing goes, as some might fear, what will be next? Polar bear swims (for the risk of cardiac arrest and frost-bite), Log rolling (concussions), and the big fear, hockey (though the swarms of cash it receives every year, even from a team that hasn't won since 1967, is enough to keep it around regardless of how outlandish and cro magnon the whole thing devolves to).  

Indeed, we are in a real political pickle; and as the war wages on a snowy hill near you, here are some tips to keep you safe while thumbing your nose, like a good Crazy Canuck should, at toboggan prohibition:

1. Don't wave a sign and toboggan at the same time: This may sound like a joy-kill, but think about it: Speeding down a hill with one hand clutched to the side of your sled and the other wielding a 3-foot wooden sign.... You don't need the imagination of Steven Spielberg to figure where that's going to end.

2. Scope out the hill: Yes: look before you leap. There's nothing more painful to behold on a snowy slope than some middle-aged guy hurtling his body carelessly down a hill and launching 14 feet in the air, and with that an unlaced boot, toque and mitt--and the inevitable, wincing, crashing dismount--by way of a surreptitious, 70-degree angled jump ramp.

3. Leave your dog at home: I tried taking my dog sledding once; there was a sign that read "Keep all dogs on leash." Needless to say, she didn't do so well accompanying me on the Magic Carpet super-man style... Besides, with the temperatures below zero, it's not safe for them. Dogs won't complain, so unless they're holding up their limp paw and looking at you through the whites of their eyes, there's no way of knowing that they'd rather be watching Friends re-runs.

4. Follow signs: It might sound lame, but signs are in place for people's safety. I've seen plenty of accidents on hills that were too insane to toboggan down; and while it is a national past time (what else are we supposed to do with all this bloody snow for 90-100 days), I don't think anyone out there would argue for supplanting well-being for a mere political point about sledding. There are many other causes out there that warrant such ardour and the sacrifice of one's body--but sledding? I'm not saying quit the protest; rather, be open to the sign making a point about the fitness of the hill for safe tobogganing. You'll always find others.

5. Keep an eye on the kids: Whether it's your kids or those around you, don't be afraid to offer guidance or warnings about unsafe behaviour and terrain. If you see one of those killer covert ramps, find a way to mark it up. If you see a little one about to do something dangerous, step in. 

6. Size up the sled: I had a GT Snow Racer growing up, and the thing was like a suped-up Mustang at the sophomoric hands of a juvenile. Learning how to ride those things down massive hills was an education in pain-management. Unless it's a bunny hill, it's probably not a good idea to let your 4/5 year old down a 60-degree slope on one of those death-machines. Make sure your kids have sleds that are right for them and their level of experience. 

7. Head gear?: I never wore head-gear growing up, unless playing competitive hockey; and I remain part of those parents who believe that this whole safety gear thing has grown totally out of hand. There's something about your kids learning how to fall and get up, and understanding their physical limits because they've had the opportunity to push them without the false comfort of a helmet or shin guards. However, if you're taking your kids to a hill, and feel it's a bit on the dicy side, there's nothing wrong with packing one in your car just in case. 

8. Drinking and sledding: A no-brainer, really. Drinking lowers your discretion, which not only causes you to take more chances with yourself and others, but also puts you in a position where you may not be as sensitive to the effects of the elements on your body, such as frost-bite, etc. If you're out there sledding and picketing, consider staying dry--spiking your hot chocolate with a couple stiff shots of espresso can certainly delight the brain, and may even enhance, rather than inhibit, your reflexes. 

What Are The Best, Most Efficient Tools For Removing Snow?

You look outside, and it's still snowing--and your back is reminding you of your bout with the berm of packed snow and ice the snow plough left at the foot of your driveway. Your neighbour next to you is having a pretty easy time with some kind of shovel that looks like a sleigh, while your neighbour on the other is struggling to get the snow-blower to cut through the berm. You grab your steel garden shovel and hack away at the berm, throwing small heaps of snow up over the peak of the snowbank that's now about head-level. As you're hacking away, and watching the guy next to you with that sleigh shovel, you wonder to yourself if you've got the right tool out there for the job...

What's the best snow shovel? Is there one kind of 'best' out there, or are there many? Are there some that are for certain jobs, but not for others? Are there some less hard on your back? Others better at scraping snow off the drive and sidewalk? Are plastic better than metal, or vice versa?

This post will throw a number of things out there for you to consider. With the way winter's been this month in Ontario, many of you, like me, are thinking of adding to the arsenal.

1. Metal or Plastic

This seems to be a debate among shovelers: some prefer plastic for the lightness and ease of use, while others prefer the efficient scraping-action a metal shovel affords. The downside to plastic is the concrete and asphalt can wear down the edge of the shovel blade, rendering it useless by the end of the season. However, the downside of the metal blade is it can damage fine outdoor tiles and wood decks. The key is to find the shovel that works best for you. Try them out in the store: if the metal shovel seems too heavy, then opt for the plastic. If you can handle some weight, and dig the metal one, go for it. It's really about preference.

2. One or More

There's a very good article in Popular Mechanics about the importance of different kinds of tools for different kinds of snowfalls. For instance, for that berm the snow plough piles at the edge of your driveway, a metal spade is probably the best initial shovel to use to cut through that packed snow and ice, then work your way to a push shovel once you've got the thing down to manageable size. Other important tools could be a square-nose metal shovel for scraping up ice and refuse from the flanks and tires of your vehicle. One of those ice pickers/scrapers can also be good, but could damage concrete when cutting through the ice. I also like to use a course surface broom for sweeping up lighter dusts of snow.

One of the shovels that I've noticed quite a bit is the sleigh shovel. In one chat-forum, a guy was raving about it so much it encouraged another guy to buy one. When he tried it out, he commented that it was so much fun to use that he ended up doing his other neighbour's driveway. What's cool about these is you use the weight of the snow in the sleigh to scrape the driveway while you're moving it to the bank, removing the stubborn packed on snow that's often left by other shovels. My neighbour has one, and his driveway is always perfectly cleared. In watching him use it--he's an older man--the shovelling seemed so easy.

3. Ergonomic

The consensus on ergonomic shovel handles seems to be mixed: some swear by them, while others don't care too much for them. The advice I found helpful was in the choosing of one: give it a try in the store to make sure it's the right size. If it's too short, you may find yourself tempted to bend your back, thus negating its utility in the first place.

4. Try It Out

It's important you try out a shovel in the store, preferably with the gloves on that you'll be using. This will make certain that the grip of the shovel is the right size for your hands. Nothing like having to squeeze your hands into a grip, and then deal with pins and needles in your hands, not from the cold but from a shovel whose grip is too tight and cutting off circulation. Also, it's important you're comfortable with the size and weight of the shovel before buying it--and remember to factor in the weight of the snow. Popular Mechanics states that a shovel full of snow can weigh between 7 and 45 pounds.

Other Tools

Once you've worked off the snow, and scraped off the ice and vehicle refuse, a good sprinkle of rock salt can do the trick in melting the rest of it off, especially along sidewalks and front walkways. As I maintained in a previous post, it's important to keep in mind the tension between caring for your family and neighbours who use your walks and the environment itself. Rock salt finds its way into our water systems and streams. Moreover, the toxins from the salt can harm dogs and other pets who are outside roaming around.

10 Reasons Why You Should've Hired Snow Removal Service

Shovelling snow is brutal at the best of times; but when you've been hammered with a foot of snow and more, with drifts up to your knees, it's time to call for back-up. Here are 10 reasons why you should've called a snow removal squad:

1. You're heart rate is well beyond target, you're in a deep sweat, and you've barely made it out of your garage.

2. The drifts are so high you've spent more time digging out the dog, or your kids, than actually shovelling snow.

3. While in the throes of fort-building in the snowbanks, one of your kids inadvertently cracked you in the head with one of the garden shovels, rendering you just shy of concussed. 

4. Because you really needed to buy that house with the stretch eight-car driveway. 

5. The several feet of snow has triggered a long-since forgotten Chionophobia: a fear of snow that lingered for years since that day in middle-school when your friends gave you that massive snow job. You thought you were over it. 

6. Because you thought a cheap, smaller snow-blower would do the trick--"How much snow do we really get in Ontario?" your wife reminds you.

7. Because the neighbours on both sides of you went on a joint Caribbean cruise, and you were stupid enough to agree to "look after their driveways for them."

8. You've left it for so long lingering on your driveway that your neighbours are beginning to form a rescue mission to shovel it for you.

9. You just ordered food delivery, and a Honda Civic hatchback won't be able to find your house, let alone get into the driveway.

10. There's a missing person alert for 2 kids, a postal service rep, and a food delivery guy, and they're digging around your driveway.