Lyme Disease Is On The Rise, It's Hit A Burb Near You, And It's Really Ticking People Off!

You wake up to major flu symptoms: fever, chills, fatigue, nausea--you can't get out of bed and if you do, you're dizzy and wondering what's going on. After several days of amping up your vitamins, taking salt baths, and opening the windows of your home, they are not getting any better. Erring on the side of caution--or on the side of paranoia--you go to Urgent Care, but they find nothing and send you on your way. You continue to see doctors, get test after test, and still no diagnosis; until you see one and she asks, "Have you been tested for lyme disease?" After a routine test, you are indeed diagnosed with the disease, and after basic anti-biotic treatment, you are back to normal. 

This is the plight of lyme disease today, a malady considered on the rise in North America. 

Some consider lyme disease as that which one contacts in the deep woods, but that's simply not the full extent of it, which is characterized by debilitating joint pain and neurological problems. Many long-term sufferers have spent years in treatment (for the wrong thing), have suffered financially from extensive time away from work, and have maintained a loss of several years of their lives in unnecessary pain and confusion. 

The number of disease-carrying tics have increased tenfold over the past twenty years due to migratory birds and warmer climate; and thus now people are running into them not only in the backwoods but also in their backyards, according to the Globe and Mail. What has exacerbated this issue is the lack of seriousness with which doctors have taken lyme disease, and thus often overlook it when it comes to routine patient diagnoses. Moreover, it's often the case that the tick bite doesn't reveal itself with a rash, which is often understood as the warrant for being diagnosed with lyme. 

The main point of all this is, if you are feeling persistent flu-like symptoms and have visited numerous doctors all of whom don't understand what's wrong (and haven't tested for lyme)l, then it's plausible you have the disease. 

Here are some tips to prevent bites from disease-carrying ticks.

1. When in the woods, walk in the centre of paths and avoid dense areas with fallen trees.

2. Use 30% DEET insect repellent on exposed skin

3. Treat all shoes, socks, pants, and shirts and boots with insecticide permethrin

4. Shower after being in the woods to wash off and find ticks before they bite you.

5. Remove all ticks immediately before they bite you.

6. Check pets (dogs, etc) for ticks after being outside.

7. Treat it like you would sun exposure: protect yourself.

What Kim Kardashian Won't Tell You About Personal Privacy And Data Insecurity

We are truly living in a transparent society, as the infamous book by David Brin is entitled. In fact, we are so far gone, it seems we won't be able to ever know what private information could possibly mean. 

Imagine a time when you could make phone calls without worrying they'll be hacked into by a gargantuan spy agency ad hoc and for no particular reason other than to amass the world's largest library of data? 

Wait--maybe you can't imagine that... Or, perhaps you don't think about it anymore. But you should. 

Wired Magazine released a post this week laying out only a surface-scratch of mega-hacker jobs both successful and not. Here are a few...

1. Dig Kim Kardashian? Well, given an outdated WordPress plug-in, thousands of visitors were susceptible to a spyware attack. For those who don't visit her site or haven't lately, as Wired sardonically notes, there are benefits to having good taste.

2. NSA hacking the App stores of Samsung and Google: And it's not just the American government, but also, according to Edward Snowden's recently leaked documents, the Canadian government was in on it as well. The siege was planned during Australian and Canadian 'workshops' on how to enhance surveillance of mobile devices. In this case, it was Samsung and Google App stores that were targeted. What does that say about Apple?

3. General concern for privacy: According to a poll, 65% of Americans surveyed believe there aren't enough government controls on privacy of information. For many who blame Snowden and other whistle blowers, the latter's case is a compelling one: If governments are rendering out private lives more transparent, there must be checks and balances to make our government bodies more transparent--I mean we're the one's who have voted them it, right?

We are living in the transparent society, and the more we understand this, the more careful we will be in giving out our information. The problem is the benefits far outweigh the risks--at least for most people. We are willing to trade off our privacy for convenience and connectivity. But where is the bottom of this abyss? How far will it all go? That's a question few are answering, and many, at least for now, are choosing to ignore.

It's Official: The Mindy Project Will Air This Fall--But There's More About Unpredictability And Risk We Can Take Away From This Small Victory

Well, it's official: City TV will air The Mindy Project this Fall in spite of being recently dropped by Fox. I'm not sure if I'll watch this season, but a year ago I got sucked into its cheese-pizza storylines and aporia chemistry between Mindy and Castellaro--entertaining show, if you're into that kind of thing. 

For those of you who are fans, which Dr. best describes your personality? Are you the flighty Dr. Mindy Lahiri or the well-planned, poised Dr. Danny Castellaro? 

Not to pick on Mindy, here, but how well do you think she would do in a natural disaster? Do you think she's got her home emergency kit tucked away on her shelf right beside the little box that contains pictures of all the studly one-night-stands? Oh yeah--she has Morgan to bail her out! I would put my money on Castellaro--somewhere in that hipster urban loft he's got home emergency tools that would make Red Green weep.

So, how well are you prepared? Do you have a home emergency kit in a well-known place that can be immediately accessed when need be? With summer around the corner, it's a good time now to prepare a home emergency kit to cover those likely (like bug bites, child scrapes) and unlikely (floods, hurricanes, tree-breaking lightening) events.

There have been crazy weather patterns over the last decade, and there is no reason why they won't continue. We cannot predict the future, but we can take the information that is right in front of us, and plan according to a variety of scenarios. As mentioned in a past post, if you don't have a disaster plan, it's important to create one by simply asking "What if...?" 

If you don't have a home emergency kit, here's the minimum of what you need to put it together:

1. Water: You should have 2 litres per person per day of water reserves. (Including small bottles that can be easily carried in case of an evacuation order).

2. Food: You need to pack food that doesn't spoil, such as canned food, energy bars, and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once per year). Think about a family of 4-5 people living off this for 3-days in terms of the amount you need.

3. Manual can opener

4. Flashlight and Batteries

5. Battery-powered or wind up transistor/short-wave radio

6. Extra Batteries

7. First Aid Kit

8. Special Needs Items: Prescription medications, infant formula, or equipment for people with disabilities.

9. Extra key for your car and house

10. Cash: Including small bills, such as $10 bills and change for pay phones.

11. Emergency Plan: Include a copy of it and ensure it contains in-town and out-of-town contact information.

These will make up the basics of your home emergency kit. Think portability and minimalistic, that is, keep things around that will be portable, and that you can easily load into your vehicle, in the event of an evacuation. 

Here are a few more items that you can add:

12. Alternative Heat: Fireplaces, kerosene space heaters, and other combustion-based sources of heat are good to have on-hand when the furnace has no power. Make sure, however, that everyone using them understand how to do so; and be sure that your chimney is cleaned out or the kerosene heater has been test-run prior to adding it to your kit.

13. Materials for Emergency Repairs: Keep on-hand materials such as large plastic sheeting and duct tape, in the event a tree falls on your house leaving a gaping hole or a broken window, dropping your temperature to freezing in a number of hours.

14. Keep Mobile Phones Charged: Make sure that you have your phones well-charged. One cool tool is a solar-powered phone charger, such as Solio. That way, you are guaranteed to have power in the event that you were caught with a phone battery running on empty. Also good to have is a USB-powered phone charger in your vehicle, so that you can charge while you're on the run.

The most difficult part about preparing for a disaster is that you have no guarantee that one is going to happen. It's easier to prepare for a BBQ, simply because you know that you're going to have guests. But those who are smart in the end are those who are prepared for anything. 

Our world is unpredictable--I mean, who da thunk the Mindy Project would air this Fall!--that's one thing we can be guaranteed on; and perhaps that's precisely the certainty we need to compel us to prepare accordingly, such as assembling a home emergency kit following the simple steps above.

6 Glorious Things Mike's Survivor Season 30 Victory Can Teach Us About The Game Of Life

Survivor Season 30 was one of the best seasons ever: The cast was divided into compelling socio-economic strata (blue-collar, white-collar, no-collar), the chemistry was well-balanced, the players were fun to watch, and the finale kept fans at the edge of their seats. 

For many, including this author, Mike Holloway was the well-deserving winner of the $1 Million dollar prize and distinction of sole-survivor, with Jeff Probst adding the further accolade of "member of the elite group of players."

But how did Mike play that set him apart from the others, and, if at all, what can be gleaned from his all-star performance? Let's take a look at a few possible characteristics:

1. Tenacity: Mike did not give up--ever. He was, as Will put it, "public enemy number one," and yet he played harder than anyone, even, when the chips were down, finding the hidden immunity idol that kept him in the game.  So often, we are tempted to give up on dreams, or on relationships, or on our jobs when things get tough. Those who succeed are those who don't give up. They keep going, day after day, good and bad, easy and tough. 

2. Care: Many of the cast-members during the final tribal council made claims about Mike that simply were not true (at least from what Survivor showed us). They claimed he was only out for himself, that he was aggressive, etc. But what they were blind to was his ability to care for those around him, even if they were against him. There was the time he whisked Shirin away from Will when the latter was heartlessly slandering her--the only one to step in. But there were other times as well, such as in spite of Dan's contempt for him, he tried to make honest deals with him as well as warn him of upcoming threats. After watching him for a while, one really got the sense that he played the game real. Life often expects us to put our game faces on, but it doesn't obligate us to step on others, and be careless and ruthless. Good guys (and girls of course) can finish first.

3. Solitude: I've written in past posts the importance of solitude as a state of being alone without being lonely. One of the claims Mike made about his victory was that he was able to dig deep inside himself, spend plenty of time alone, and be present for the strategies he needed to make. He wasn't privy to the idle chatter of the others, those who had ganged up against him to form an alliance, which proffered him an element of real freedom. He said during the Reunion Show that he was able to cast care to the wind, and play from his heart because that's all he had--himself. He showed the importance of solitude in our daily lives for living well, being present for the difficult decisions we need to make, and mustering up the courage to do so.

4. Love: One of the most touching scenes--as generally the case with Survivor--was the cast's reunion with their respective loved ones. We saw a different side, for instance, to Momma C when her husband lumbered out, bear hugged her, and told Jeff they had been married 40 years and she was the one who was the glue holding it all together. But it was Mike's relationship with his mom that showed a lot about his character: he was a caring, loving son who modelled respect and authentic appreciation for all she had done for him. In the midst of the stress of the game, he showed genuine care and love for her. We all need love; and our relationships with our parents, grand-parents, and other family members are so precious. Sometimes the stresses of life can hold us back from experience that real togetherness and care; sometimes we go far too long without calling our mom or dad or brother or sister--we let the yawning abyss of time stretch between those whom we love.

5. Hard work: I had a professor, a well-respected scholar in his field, encourage my colleagues and I with a maxim I will never forget: There's no substitute for hard work. Mike talked about his work ethic as a Texan oil-rigger--and then modelled it to his opponents and the world. Chopping wood, carrying water--that's what kept him honest; that's what gave him the solitude he needed to stay one step ahead. And that's also what gave him the opportunity to make alliances, admonish old ones, and make the kinds of social moves he needed to keep his torch lit. In this world of over-night karaoke successes, we have culturally missed the importance and reality of hard work, whether for that dream to come true, that promotion to come through, or your marriage to stay true. We can take a lot away as learning from Mike's dedication to hard work. dd

6. Honour: He for the most part kept his word, with the exception of keeping his money at the auction for an advantage while others spent theirs. And when Dan confronted him at the final tribal council about that, and the hurt and betrayal he felt, Mike hesitated not in delivering to Dan a very heartfelt, honouring apology--he kept it real, to the very end. His honour extended to those who may have hated him at the beginning and middle of the game, but honoured him at the end first by collectively placing the immunity idol around his neck at the end of the final challenge, and last by giving him their votes for sole-survivor. He played hard without losing his honour and compromising the honour of those around him. How often do we pass on the chance to honour another person? How often do we allow another's honour to be compromised without stepping in to help? How often do we dishonour a relationship with another without man-ing or woman-ing up and reconciling through heartfelt apology? 

Survivor's strength as a show is it's ability to model life itself; a way for us to see ourselves (whether it be in the villain or the hero, the white-collar or the no-collar, the loud-mouth or the reticent one) and those relationships around us; how we play this 'game' called life. 

The big difference is that Survivor is very much a winner take-all game, and life itself, the real meaning of it, is more open-ended: bring as many people into it, and allow the relationships to grow honourably and respectfully. Mike, in his play, brought those two types of games together--both in and out of 'Survivor'--and with that showed us a way we can do the same.

Top 10 Things We Can Learn From David Letterman--And No This Is Not From Our Home Office In Lincoln Nebraska

David Letterman and Bill Murray

10. It's ok to be a bit wacky: We are who we are, and often that means being different. In this world, we need to have role-models who celebrate the wacky, the different, the off the wall--it's what makes this world great.

9. A good prank can brighten up life: In our world right now, there is so much to be serious about: the convergence of social and economic and political and technological shifts and changes and insecurities, etc. It's easy to walk around moribund. Pranks, when tasteful and harmless, can be a wonderful way to laugh and enjoy one another--Letterman knew this better than anyone.

8. Have a side-kick: We need friends in this world who stick with us through thick and thin, who can buffer our wackiness, play great music--and being from Thunder Bay sure helps. In Paul Shaffer we saw a great co-pilot who had fun, gave and received a lot of laughs, and brought in top musical talent. We all need side-kicks in our lives.

7. Meet new friends--then have a riot together: Letterman was infamous for inviting celebrities from all walks of life onto his show and then having a riot with them. He loved to have fun, poke fun, banter around. In our world today, there is so much fear of others. There was something disarming about Letterman's interviews that even when people came on the show serious, they ended up laughing and having a good time.

6. Have fun with pets: How can we not forget about Letterman's stupid pet tricks? He brought on people who had pets who did bizarre things that were absolutely hilarious. Makes you think about a relationship one can have with a pet... I have a friend whose cat has received thousands of hits on Youtube for turning on the paper shredder--Letterman would love that, I think. 

5. Make top ten lists: So many times the people in our lives don't know us, like when it comes time for our birthday and we get carrot cake instead of quadruple chocolate. You can make a top ten list about anything: stuff you like, stuff you don't like, personal goals, personal anti-goals, etc. When you've written one, you can share it with others--do it daily, like Letterman!

4. Have a good feud: Letterman was known for having Feuds with others, like Cher or Oprah. But there's something ironic about that--like iron sharpening iron: the feuds fed their celebrity statuses, almost like Coke and Pepsi, or McDonalds and Burger King. A good feud is more about tension than about mean spiritedness; more about competition than about vanquishment. Letterman and Oprah ended up reconciling and attending one another's shows--pretty cool.

3. You can have a home office in Lincoln Nebraska: Letterman's top 10 lists were, apparently, from his "home office in Lincoln Nebraska," which everyone knew was a joke--yet it tells us something important: In our highly connected cyber-world, you can have a home office in Lincoln Nebraska and broadcast to the rest of the world. Do you have a great idea, but insecure about being in a small town? Who cares? You've got to try it. Don't let small town stuff get in the way of big-city ambitions.

2. Lose the pretension: Letterman, before going to CBS and dawning business suits, was known for his khaki pants below his suit jacket, shirt, and tie--he was unpretentious and people dug it. The problem with fashion these days is it's all the same. We are born unique and die in the same old three-piece suit as everyone else. Letterman's khaki pants were his staple, his difference that made a difference.

1. Push the envelop: There is so much being done as status quo; so many people are afraid to push the boundaries of ideas or their talents or their dreams. Letterman pushed the envelop of what a late night talk show was. He brought himself--he made a difference, and with that inspired many others to do the same. Like Steve Jobs brilliantly portrayed in the famous Apple commercial, "Here's to the crazy ones..." If you have a dream, push it to the limit. Don't give up. Don't be afraid to be different if that's what it takes to get you there. Life is too short, and you won't get this moment back. Like Letterman, and all good top 10 lists--as with life--they all come to an end.

If You're Already Hanging Around The Backyard Pool, These Safety Reminders Are A Must

It's pool time, and you're the designated swimmer in the pool with the kids, one of whom is only three. Along the deck of the pool are six adults, eating, drinking, and enjoying the sun. Your three year old has refused a lifejacket, and you don't push it on him believing that he'll be fine... The kids dare you to a cannonball jump, and you relent by setting your three year old on the deck as you go for the big one, thinking there are enough eyes on the pool by those sitting by. But as you emerge from the water, you see your three year old scampering along the deck: he's got his eyes locked on the floating mattress at the edge of the shallow end and he's going for it with everything he's got. Panic ensues, and you can't get your arms and legs moving quickly enough. He leaps onto the mattress, takes a bounce, and plunges into the pool. By the time you get there, he's been under a few seconds, and when you grab him, he's gasping a for air. 

Terrifying?

These scenarios are very likely to happen anytime you get kids around water at varying ages and levels of swimming ability. The key is to have some basic rules ahead of time clearly outlined and adhered to. 

1. Always watch children when they are in or near the pool or spa: If you've got a three year old who's a poor swimmer, you've got to watch him or her at all times. If there are other children in the pool, assign others to watch them at all times; and if that person needs to use the washroom or get some food or a drink, they need to designate someone else. Everyone must be in the know.

2. Teach children basic water safety tips: Does your child understand the reasons behind the rules like "No running on the deck?" or do they just think you're being a drill sergeant? Before they get into the pool, teach them some basic rules, like no running on the deck, no holding others down, no having breathing underwater contests, etc. Go through them and explain that the water is a hazard if safety and precaution are not exercised.

3. Keep kids away from pool drains, pipes, or other openings to avoid entrapment: This is an easy one to miss: A large beetle gets caught in the drain and your son goes to fish it out, setting up the conditions for a possible entrapment scenario. It takes one time, and then you have a catastrophe on your hands. Explain to your kids why that's not ok and remind them if you see them going for it.

4. Have inexperienced or young swimmers wear Red Cross approved life jackets: This may seem silly to some, but it's better to be safe than sorry. If your little one resists wearing one, don't let them in the water until they agree to wear it. Establish it as a normative when the young ones are around the pool. But don't just stick one on and think the kids can go unmonitored--maintain rule #1 above at all times.

5. Swim with a buddy: The number one age group of drowning deaths are adolescent to twenty-somethings; but the next group is those 65 and older. Always swim with a buddy--even if that person is just on the deck. And never let your child swim alone. 

6. Avoid alcohol: It's very natural to sit around the pool and have a few cold ones or a sweaty glass of chardonnay; however, if you're going into the water to swim, this is not advisable, especially if you are watching children: alcohol impairs judgement, balance, and coordination, affects swimming and diving skills, and prevents the body from staying warm. 

7. Have a phone handy: In the age of mobile technology, phones should be ubiquitous--but don't assume as much. How many times do we reach for our phone only to find we've left it in the car, deep in our purses, or in the house? If you're swimming, make sure there is at least one mobile phone in plain view in the event 911 must be called.

8. Enrol in CPR and other safety courses: This may seem like a tough one because it requires work, but it's important to learn, even if you don't own a pool. Being able to save someone's life is a wonderful thing; and all it takes is a little learning.

The most important thing is to stay alert, stay focused, and don't assume that everything will be alright--things can go from good to catastrophic in a heartbeat--or in the time it takes to pull off a cannonball.

These 5 Easy Tips Will Ensure Facebook Doesn't Hijack Your May Long Week-End

It's May long-weekend, in case you're reading about this for the first time. Long-weekends used to drive me nuts, simply because there was the inevitable pressure of having to do something. Often we are working with people who just seem to have the most amazing plans, and want to tell you all about them, before asking, "So what are you doing?" And then there's the inevitable Tuesday morning in which the first question you get upon stumbling into work is about what you did on the long week-end.

But then something happened: I stopped feeling the pressure of it all. If I didn't do anything spectacular, then that was fine with me--I was going to own it. Besides, didn't the Beatles say that "life is what happens while we're making plans"? 

There have been several studies done on the effects of Facebook on emotion, which have found a correlation between the amount of time spent on the social network and rates of depression. It's like a vicious circle: the experience demands the Facebook post and the Facebook post demands the experience; like everyone's trying to one-up each other on what they're doing in life. I'm not suggesting Facebook is somehow this evil medium, but it's how we use it that can create undue stress in our lives. Suddenly the trip out to see your in-laws desperately pales in comparison to your acquaintance (read: "friend") who's gone base-jumping in the Grand Canyon followed by dinner, black jack, and Maria Carey at Caesar's Palace. 

Here are some tips to get through your May long week-end and keep your spirits up at the same time:

1. Chill out: Life is so stressful: long commutes to work, followed by 8-6 of non-stop meetings and emails and projects, followed by an hour or two after dinner to veg in front of the Home Channel before off to bed to do the same thing again. Make your long week-end about totally taking it easy--not just in body, but in mind as well. Be present for each day, and for those around you. Don't take on too much--and take it as it comes.

2. Be mindful: Mindfulness is an orientation to the world largely snuffed out by the present shock of modern life. Mindfulness is being attentive to the present moment in whatever it is you're doing: eating, mowing the lawn, talking with your spouse, playing with your child. Mindfulness means putting away the cares and worries that distract and focusing in on what's happening in your life right now. When we're not mindful, and distracted by countless Facebook notifications and text messages and emails from work, even a week-end can be full of stress. Turn off the phone, or 'lose' it somewhere, and be present for your life. Regardless of what you do, you'll feel a sense of peace.

3. Get some solitude: Solitude is being by yourself without being lonely. Solitude is a practice, especially in our hyper-connected world in which even when we're by ourselves we cling to others through social networking and text messaging. Solitude is connected to mindfulness: finding some time on your own to sit or lay down or go for a walk or bike ride, and just be present for yourself: How am I feeling? What's going on in my life? What am I happy about? What am I thankful for? What's troubling me? These are all ways to find solitude in your long week-end. It doesn't have to be a long time; but getting some time with yourself is vital.

4. Have meaningful time with others: The day that slips by today, made up of many single moments, you'll never get back. We often fill our days with things to ward off the inevitability of our final day. Many who are dying wish they had spent more time with loved ones, or had cleared up a disagreement or dispute. The time to do it is now--while you're still breathing: spend meaningful time with friends and loved ones, and be present for them, and be thankful for them, realizing you'll never get that day that passes back. 

5. 'Be' more than 'do': All of these tips culminate in one thing: to focus on being rather than doing. The problem with Facebook and other social networks is that they emphasize doing rather than being: you are what you do, so when you're not doing something earth-shattering you feel bad about yourself; you feel as though you're no good or not good enough, or don't make enough money, or don't have a big enough house with the pool that belongs at a Hilton Hotel, not someone's backyard. But all those things are chimeras: they often cover who people really are inside; all the doing and posting on Facebook can often mask a deep despair, loneliness, and overall dissatisfaction for oneself. When we are present for ourselves, mindful, and spend meaningful times with those around us, we find out more about who we are; we come face to face with Life itself. This is what matters; this is where the richness of life overwhelms the seeming 'riches of life', or someone else's. 

And when you focus on these things, and try and live them out over the long week-end, you'll go back to work on Tuesday feeling refreshed, alive, and ready to face the challenges of the day. 

What We Can All Learn From The Amtrak Derailment Tragedy

An Amtrak train travelling 106 mph--twice the speed limit--derailed just outside of Philadelphia late Tuesday night, May 12th, leaving at least seven passengers killed and more than 200 injured. 

Apparently there is technology, known as Positive Train Control, that can cap out the speed of a train, but it must be installed both on the train and on the track; and that stretch of track along which the train sped up and derailed was not installed with that technology, in spite of having been requested "for many many years," according to National Transportation Safety board member Robert Sumwalt. 

What can we learn from this tragedy? Many things, of course, but here are a few that come to mind:

1. Our technologies often exceed our rate of decision-making: What is speculated is that the railroad tracks were not equipped with Positive Train Control, but the train itself was. Here we have an asymmetry between the state of art train and the obsolete tracks, in spite of the latter having been requested "for many many years."

2. We often, mistakenly, wait till catastrophe to make changes: If there hasn't been a need before to install PTC on the tracks prior to this accident, there certainly is now. This is true of many aspects of our lives: we don't make changes until there's a crash--whether physical, biological, emotional, marital--and then we stop everything to deal with it. The best way is to look ahead and deal with needs that come up in real time. Unfortunately, we move through life too fast to be present for what is needed, and we push everything off--till tragedy strikes.

3. Rapid Change + Complexity = Futility: The Amtrak derailment is a tragic metaphor for our world right now as a whole: as mentioned, our systems are growing too complex, and change so rapid, that we are unable to keep up; and when we're on the wrong side of change, managing it is futile. We have to continue to find better ways of making decisions and designing systems (whether transportation or otherwise) that puts us on the right side of change. This is very difficult. 

4. Do we all need to slow down?: We are now living, in the words of Douglas Rushkoff, in "present shock," that is, when everything is live, real-time, and always on. Rushkoff continues in his book Present Shock:

“Our society has reoriented itself to the present moment. . . . It’s not a mere speeding up, however much our lifestyles and technologies have accelerated the rate at which we attempt to do things. It’s more of a diminishment of anything that isn’t happening right now—and the onslaught of everything that supposedly is.” 

―Douglas Rushkoff, Present Shock: When Everything Happens Now

As a society, we may have no choice to slow down, but as individuals we do. Amtrak, again, is a very tragic metaphor for a world that is moving too fast and too carelessly--but as individuals we don't have to. We can live in the present moment, and, as such, be in somewhat better control of our lives. We have time to be present for those we love, serve those in need, and live our lives mindfully. 

Our condolences go out the family and friends of the victims of the Amtrak derailment, and our thoughts are with those who are suffering as a result, whether through injury or loss.  

3 Powerful Things Deflategate Can Teach Us About Screwing Up

Tom Brady has been found guilty of ordering his footballs to be deflated below the NFL's ball-pressure rule--an event known as Deflategate--during playoff games. Brady's four-game suspension is being heralded as one of the most high-profile punishments handed down by the NFL in league history. 

But is deflating footballs such a big deal? Andy Benoit, of Sports Illustrated, claimed that it really is no big deal--that a few years ago, under the request of two of the NFL's golden boys, Payton Manning and Tom Brady, quarterbacks were able to bring their own footballs to the games and 'prep' them any way they wanted. The league benefitted from this with greater offensive matches and higher audience ratings. Why, then, Benoit poses, is deflating the balls below some arbitrary point of pressure such a big deal? 

To me, as the case is with any act of impudence, is how Brady dealt with the investigation: lying, keeping his texts and emails away from investigators, etc. What would be the big deal about admitting that you like the balls deflated to a certain degree and that you broke this insignificant rule? To me, it would have been better; but we're not talking about common folk here: Brady is extremely wealthy, one of the most high-profile athletes in sports, and the list goes on. These guys are protected, and taught the laws of the jungle. Is it such a big deal to admit guilt? No. Is it to someone like Brady? Absolutely.

What can we take away from this?

1. Admit it: If you mess up, it's best just to come clean--to the right people. Often avoidance is worse than admittance. And lying about it, trying to cover your tracks, deflecting inquiry, only makes things worse. 

2. Apologize--sincerely: We all mess up--that's what makes us human. But often our messing up hurts others. And, if the mess up is significant enough (more so than a deflated football), then you can cause a major train wreck. Admitting guilt, and sincerely apologizing is just a critical first step. You might not be able to mend the relationship, but at least you've owned up to your wrongdoing.

3. Change: It doesn't matter how you do it--if you've messed up from lying or cheating or stealing or any ethical infraction, it's not enough to simply apologize; you've got to change your behaviour. If your actions are compulsive, and seem out of control, then there are professionals who can help you. You may not be able to mend your relationship, but changing will be important for helping you get back on your feet and move on with a healthy orientation to yourself, others, and the world. 

Often problems happen when one or more of these three things are skipped, avoided, or deflected at the outset of a moral infraction: You can admit it, but if you don't apologize and don't change, you haven't fully made amends; likewise, if you admit it, apologize, but don't change, then you haven't gone far enough to deal with yourself. 

We all mess up; but it's how we clean up the mess that makes all the difference to ourselves, others in our lives, and the world itself. 

4 Totally Simple Ideas For Mother's Day

Mother's Day is May 10--a time to honour your mom, and, if you're a mom yourself, to feel proud of yourself and of those little ones you've brought into the world.

We are living in a time, unfortunately, in which children are often shunned or thought of as a meagre nuisance rather than the next generation of human beings on this earth. Often it is moms who are the bedrocks of their homes, of the raising of their children, of nurturing creatures who rely on them for nourishment, love, attention, and loving arms (indeed, men are encouraged to step-up and be loving, nourishing, compassionate dads, but we'll leave that for a future post). 

In the midst of all the market-pressure foisted on consumers on occasions such as this, here are some simple ways you can honour your mom, and/or wife, on Mother's Day:

1. Telling her how much you love her: We often don't hear enough how precious we are, how loved we are. And we often believe that our moms and/or wives simply know it to be true. Maybe they do; maybe there are ways you show your love everyday--but speaking it, speaking words of honour and blessing are so important. 

2. Write it: There are so many greeting cards out there that speak for you; but I encourage you to venture on your own and try out a blank card and write your own words. If there is a quote you love, or a verse of scripture or wisdom, include it. This is your time to express YOU and what you feel and think about your mom. No, you don't have to wax Rumi on the card (though he might be one to include as a quote), simply your words in your own voice will do.

3. Visit: If your mom is close by, go and see her; bring flowers or nice teas she likes or coffee and pastry. Spending time with your mom, looking after her goes a long way in letting her know she's precious and appreciated.

3. Phone call: If your mom is kilometres away--too far for a visit--call her up and spend time on the phone. Speak words of love and encouragement to her. Let her know how precious she is. 

4. Forgive: Many times over the course of one's life relationships between parents and children can become strained. Sometimes anger or bitterness can creep in severing relationships. If you are in this predicament, I encourage you to find forgiveness in your heart, and through that find peace. This Mother's Day could be a time of breakthrough for you; of healing in your heart and in your relationship with your mother or daughter--but you must make the decision to forgive and let go of the pain. You can do it.

Motherhood is a beautiful thing; something to be honoured and nourished with love. It's a time to give back for all the love and care we received as children. If there is great hurt and pain in your life from your mother, there is forgiveness; you may not be able to change your mom, but you can bring healing to yourself through forgiveness. 

Why Daimler's Self-Driving Truck Will Quietly But Radically Disrupt Everything

German automaker Daimler has unveiled the world's first self-driving truck authorized for use on public roads, and will be launched at the Hoover Dam in Nevada. Full autonomous trucks will not, however, be authorized until 2025 under current restrictions. 

But how will that impact the transportation industry? The rationale is two-fold: 1) the self-driving truck will save 5% fuel costs, and 2) drivers of the trucks will have less stress and thus greater satisfaction. 

Is that naive? Won't self-driving trucks inevitably and seriously disrupt the entire transportation industry, killing jobs, and leaving drivers out in the cold without work? 

And what about safety on roads with human-driven vehicles? Will driving under less stressful conditions on the road be just as bad, if not worse, than having too much? Suppose the self-driving truck is so easy that one loses concentration and is not able to react as quickly than those ahead in a human-driven truck? 

How will self-driving trucks get along with human-driven vehicles? Will the response time be adaptive rather than simply default, that is, how will the truck account for the spontaneity of human error? 

There are also technological problems, such as computer failure. Imagine barrelling down the 401 with a large load and the sensors cut out. Or, worse yet, your system gets hacked into and the truck is being controlled by a third party (21st Century road warriors). 

In spite of these possible set-backs, there are some good things about these trucks, such as the ability for loads to be shipped in off-hours and overnight when traffic isn't as congested, freeing up highways during the day. 

We are living in a world where such technological disruptions are commonplace; and part of living in the 21st Century is learning to navigate these issues--being aware of them and finding innovations to improve upon them. 

However, these disruptive technologies will not only change the industry of transportation, but will also change the way we drive; for many experts maintain that eventually the sensors will be so sophisticated that autonomous vehicles will be safer than human-driven ones, which could mean, eventually, human drivers will be prohibited from driving vehicles then considered 'vintage'. 

The implications of this for vehicle insurance companies is astounding, for they will have to move away from individual vehicle insurance to insuring larger companies for sensor malfunction, operating system hackings, etc. These contracts will go to the large companies that are already well-established in such areas, which means smaller ones will eventually get devoured by them. 

There are myriad other ways in which this simple unveiling will disrupt our world. The question is, how will we adjust and adapt to it?

6 Ways The Force May Be With You: How Star Wars Offers Amazing Insights Into Living The Good Life

It's May the 4th--Star Wars Day. It was informally determined because many people believed May the 4th sounded a lot like "May the force..." People all over the internet have been celebrating this day, especially in light of the new film, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, coming out in December.

But what can we learn from the Star Wars films? CNN columnist, David Allen, wrote a piece on the meaning of Star Wars, explaining that as a kid born in 1973 (same year I was, hence my resonance with the piece), in spite of moving around a lot, single-parent home, latch-key kid, there was one constant in his life: The Star Wars movies (much like a friend of mine described the rock band U2 as providing for him the "soundtrack of his life"). This was much like my childhood: I went to all the movies, and obsessively collected as many action figures and paraphernalia I could (I wondered one evening when I couldn't sleep what all that stuff would be worth had my mother not inadvertently cast it all in one big heap on the front drive way as part of a garage sale). And I wonder if much of my interest in the future was stoked by those awe-inspiring movies set "a long time ago in a galaxy far far away." 

What can we glean from these movies? Unfortunately, I lost interest in the latest ones, preferring the initial trilogy and Lucas's physical models and props (much like my love for Jim Henson); nevertheless, let's see what can be extracted. Many believe, as I do, that the Star Wars movies represent a 20th/21st Century myth (as I argue as well for the Matrix trilogy), and thus can offer insights into living the good life.

1. There is a destiny to our lives: What I think many people love about Luke Skywalker is his sense of profound destiny--that he has been chosen from a young boy to fulfill a very important calling in life. Like the mythical character, Luke, we have all be chosen to live out a particular destiny. Finding what that destiny is and how to live it is key to realizing our calling, or vocation, in life.

2. It's easy to find the dark side: Luke wouldn't be Luke without the dark side, his nemesis who turned out to be his father, Darth Vader. The story of Vader is one of being groomed for good, but falling into the clutches of the dark side and being swept away. While we each have a calling in life, it is easy for us to stumble and fall away and far off from our calling. Like Vader, once we fall, it's hard to find our way back again, and we can lead lives of great destruction in the meantime.

3. There can be redemption: Vader's story, in spite of the evil and darkness, ends with redemption when he has an awakening and a moment of great perception--he sees as if for the first time! And with that, he casts the Evil Emperor into the inescapable abyss and reunites with his lost son. If you're on the wrong path, and you've hurt people and feel like you've destroyed your life, there's always redemption--but it takes seeing as if for the first time; and once you see, you must take deliberate steps to changing your life. 

4. Friends are important: Where would Luke be without Han Solo, Princess Lei, C-3PO, and R2D2? And let's not forget Chewbacca! How many times did they bail Luke and one another out? And where would C-3PO be all alone roaming the desert without his trusty (and at times rusty) sidekick R2? We all need friends to get through life; to share experiences with; to take along with us on our journeys. Luke may have been a bit of a loner at times, but he was never out of reach of his friends.

5. Mentors are critical: Do you have a mentor--someone like a Yoda in your life? Mentors are critical for living out your calling in life--just look at Skywalker. In fact, he had at least two: Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda. Seeking out mentors is actually a determinant of your self-efficacy--how much drive you have to live out your calling. If you have a mentor in your life, keep that relationship going. If you don't, look for one: could be a friend, a business partner, a counsellor you have, etc. They are everywhere. When you find one--even if they don't know it--learn everything you can from them. Like Yoda, they will help you prepare for all the barriers that will inevitably get in your way. 

6. Do some good in the world: What would the galaxy have been if it weren't for the rebels who risked their lives against the dark side and the Evil Empire? We are all put in this world to fulfill a purpose, a calling, that I believe is about doing good against evil. Our world is suffering right now, some say worse than ever: political upheaval, natural disasters, social-economic brittleness, religious conflict, and on and on. Find a way everyday to put some good out there; to help someone out who's in need, to stand up for someone whose being falsely wronged, to be in solidarity with someone who's suffering, to use your gifts to make the world a better place. 

The list of lessons from these great movies are endless. The most important take-away is that you see yourself as having purpose, destiny, calling, and you do everything you can, with the help of many along your way, to find it and fulfill it.

8 Timeless Lessons The Mayweather / Pacquiao Prizefight Can Teach Us About Winning, Losing, and Life

The Mayweather / Pacquiao fight has come and gone. Lauded as the fight of the century, it brought together two of the world's greatest fighters, one of whom has a lengthy record of domestic abuse charges, and the other holds a veritable rags to riches story, thus spurring Freddie Roach--Pacquiao's coach--to call it the fight of good versus evil. 

We now know the outcome: Mayweather won by a hands-down judges decision. 

But what life lessons can we take away from this fight of the century? 

1. Sometimes the wrong person wins: The rain falls on the good and the wicked, and sometimes the wrong person wins. While many, especially women's rights groups, would've wanted Pacquiao to win, it was the brash, misogynist who did (replete with $25,000 mouthpiece with a $100 bill inside it), leaving us with this lesson that justice and success are not the same thing.

2. Winning isn't everything: Is it better to be a good person or a winner? Is winning at all costs the best way to live? No. In our society, you do whatever it takes to make it to the top; but often that leads to over-work, less time to enjoy life, alienation of family members, and a growing sense of disappointment. If your climbing the ladder is causing you and those you love to suffer, it's time to reevaluate.

3. It's not how we win that counts, it's how we lose: Are we able to take the hardships of life well? Are we able to lose well? How we deal with our losses and disappointments is much harder and more important than dealing with our wins. Learning how to live mindfully and care-fully in the midst of pain and loss and disappointment can makes us better people, for ourselves and others. It requires us to have a mindset of perseverance, gratefulness, and humility--those character traits that are often not praised as much in our society as glory and valour and brute force.

4. How we win counts too: It's all about how we play right? If winning requires us to cut corners, cheat, lie, and steal, then we might win the prize (promotion, raise, etc) but we lose ourselves in the process. If we have to be someone we really are not, then our winning can actually take its toll on our bodies and minds, leading to not only physical but also emotional illness. The key to winning is a) to be fully ourselves, and b) to play with integrity. A friend of mine told me once that he's seen business deals fall through on the golf course when one of the parties shoots 4 strokes and writes down 3. 

5. You're only as good as your last victory: Success brings a set of pressures and expectations all on its own; and sometimes it's easier being the underdog because you've really got nothing to lose. Sometimes we strive so much for the victory that we put undue pressure on ourselves to stay on top, which can lead to dishonesty and other mechanisms to do so. But there's a lesson in this: If you're a true professional, then you know this, and you don't take the win too seriously; you know you're going to have to get up the next morning to a new game that will take hard work, dedication, patience, self-motivation, and a high level of integrity. 

6. Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em: Sometimes we struggle so much to accomplish something that we've let the rest of our lives pass by. And sometimes it's easier to end on the winning streak then to push yourself and end up in dismal failure. There's something about great athletes who retire when they see their level of performance slightly dip--they end on a high note. At the same time, there's something about those professionals who just keep going; getting up every morning and hitting the pavement, loving what they do in spite of the outcome. Think of Bruce Springsteen who still rocks his heart out, even though there are many who wonder why he isn't in a retirement home. 

7. Nothing fails like success: The bigger they are, the harder they fall. I wish Mayweather well, but when you're that big, and you're out there abusing women and living carelessly, there's often no where to go but down. The real professionals can get up, dust themselves off, and keep going; but those alas are few and far between. Success can lead to an overshoot and collapse way of living, if you're not keeping your head and heart straight. We've all seen it to actors, rock stars, and even people in our lives. If you're getting too big too fast, and being drawn into the reckless high-life, may you have the wisdom to step back, get help when and where you need it, and get back on the straight and narrow. 

8. You fail until you succeed: Pacquiao is a story of rags to riches, having many evenings as a child only water instead of food, and using boxing as a way to get money for his family. He turned pro at 17, and never looked back. Along the way, he became a very good chess player, and taught himself the piano. Many believe he will run for the President of the Philippines when he retires; and in that home country of his, there is a welfare state called Manny Pacquiao, because he donates to so many charities. Even though he may have lost on Saturday, this man remains a true winner. 

Believe in yourself. Fail forward. Give until it hurts. Turn your losses to wins. Stay humble, and keep your hand to the grind stone. And even though you may not win all the time, you'll remain, to those around you who love you, a winner--remember that!