Education
“The true purpose of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.”
- Mortimer Adler
Education: A Reflection
I recently corresponded with a friend from Texas who mentioned that their state legislature had proposed—and passed—a bill to remove critical thinking from the school curriculum.
This struck a chord, leading me to pull on the education thread.
Disclaimer: I am not an educator and can only imagine how difficult it can be.
British journalist, author, and satirist Malcolm Muggeridge once remarked, “We have educated ourselves into a state of imbecility.” His critique of modern education warned against fostering intellectual arrogance rather than wisdom. He saw this in society’s embrace of destructive ideologies and moral relativism. Knowledge without discernment leads to foolishness on a grand scale.
I sometimes wonder. What would a successful society look like? Are we all a cog in the capitalist machine? Have we let materialism define success? Does capitalism lack a balanced
Music
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” - Plato.
I’ve been reflecting on the quiet power of music—how it meets us where we are and gently shifts the atmosphere around us. Whether you’re looking for something calming, uplifting, or deeply stirring, the right music can offer more than sound—it can provide solace, clarity, and joy.
Beauty lives not only in what we see but also in what we hear, and music is one of the most profound expressions of that beauty. I’m unsure where my love for music originated, but I am genuinely grateful. Music speaks to my soul. It has always been
Spring
Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’”
– Robin Williams
Waiting for spring on the Island feels like a child counting the days until Christmas—restless, eager, and never quite soon enough. March and April bring unpredictable weather, teasing us with glimpses of warmth before retreating into winter’s lingering chill. Yet we know spring is on its way, bringing a fresh sense of possibility.
Writers have long sought to capture the fleeting magic of spring, finding in it
Culture
Given all that is happening in our geopolitical world, I wonder why some cultures believe they are superior to others and why this belief often leads to conflict.
The thread I pulled on to explore was culture.
As I began researching, I realized how vast and interconnected this topic is. Culture weaves through history, anthropology, and the human sciences. The deeper I went, the more rabbit holes I found, each leading to more questions.
Edward T. Hall (1914–2009), an anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher, observed that “Culture is not made up but something that evolves, which is human.” His words remind us that culture forms through human interactions, behaviours, and experiences. It also adapts as people innovate, exchange ideas, and pass down customs.
History is filled with cultures that see themselves as superior, providing tribal mentalities that often lead to division and conflict.
I grew up in a city where the bigoted mayor frequently
Nature
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.” - John Burroughs.
Geopolitical news continues to create a sense of unease and chaos. We must remember that we have a choice in how we respond. We must nurture our souls by choosing what is good for our mental well-being.
To reduce my anxiety, I like to head outside to an area where nature is minimally disturbed by human beings. We are so fortunate in Prince Edward Island that getting to a nature spot doesn't take hours. It takes 2 to 20 minutes in any direction, and voila—we are in the centre of peace.
Wendell Berry's poem below is a profound meditation
Opinions
Opinion is the medium between Knowledge and Ignorance.” - Plato
As I sit to write, I’m thinking of the famous opening line from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
At present, there is cause for both concern and celebration. In governance, apathy is shrinking, and awareness of key issues is growing, brought to our attention by various sources. Friends, family, and media offer an abundance of opinions. We need to discern fact from fiction and reality from distortion. This will determine our capacity to make informed decisions. Doing so shapes our collective future.
We form our opinions based on our experiences, values, and knowledge. Opinions fall into two categories: subjective and objective.
After a discussion, I’ve often wondered, “Why did I say that?” It can become a valuable learning moment if I am willing to reflect and recognize when I’ve spoken without complete understanding. The discomfort of realizing
Emotions
“Don’t let people pull you into their storm.
Pull them into your peace.” - Kimberly Jones.
The news has been overwhelming lately—if you’ve been paying attention, you know what I mean.
My emotions feel scattered, unsettled, and pulled in different directions. Fear, anger, and sadness often lead to a parade of emotions.
But yesterday, I came across a simple yet powerful reminder: “Listen to the birds, not the news.” Those seven words stopped me in my tracks, offering grounding and refreshing clarity.
After a long walk in today’s warmer air, I took time to sit outside and listen to the birds.
In that quiet moment, I realized the importance of setting
Love
“Love is like the wind; you can’t see it, but you can feel it.” Nicholas Sparks.
The day after Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to reflect on love—not just romantic love, but the more profound, enduring kinds that shape our lives. Love in all its forms—kindness, compassion, self-acceptance, and connection—continues beyond a single day of celebration. Today is an opportunity to consider what love truly means, how it influences us, and how we can nurture it in our daily lives.
It is one of my favourite books; I tend to reread it every few years. In Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl shares the following insight:
Wholeness
"There is a hidden seed of greater wholeness in everyone and everything. We serve life best when we water it and befriend it. When we listen before we act." - Rachel Naomi Remen
I love sunrises and was fortunate to capture this phone photo earlier this week.
Psychology and human behaviour have long piqued my curiosity. When I reflect on my past choices—the good and the bad—I try to learn from them. At the heart of that learning is a deep desire to understand why we do what we do.
In the early ‘90s, I attended a workshop called The Psychology of Success. It introduced me to
Perspective
“Perspective is everything when you are experiencing the challenges of life.” - Joni Eareckson Tada
When I thought of writing a newsletter called the Inspired, I imagined writing it as much for me as for the reader.
My curiosity drives me to explore topics of interest and deepen my knowledge through writing. I am learning the importance of calibrating my mindset toward optimism rather than pessimism. Given the headlines these days, it’s easy to slip into negativity, but I am trying to maintain a positive outlook. The practice of writing helps me stay on that path.
In a few cases, I have learned through
Wonder
“The world is so full of wonderful things we should all, if we were taught how to appreciate it, be far richer than kings.” - Ashley Montagu
I hope you had a good week. Earlier, I took my usual thermos of tea and headed to the cabin to sit and start thinking about what to write for this weekend’s newsletter.
Looking out the window, the outside view lit up my soul, causing my heart to smile gratefully. It seems that the more my gratitude grew for the visual, the more beauty revealed itself; inspiring me to write about nature and its splendour today.
Awe can transform confusion into wonder.
Occasionally I suffer a bit of SAD or seasonal affective
Creation
"Art, poetry, music, all forms of true beauty, prayer, and meditation—these are the things that will save us as individuals and, if we’re lucky, civilisation." - Joseph Massey
Earlier this week, I read the quote above by Joseph Massey on Susan Cains' blog, The Quiet Life.
I love Joseph’s quote, and I will add a bit more: what will save us is the realization that there is a God, and we are not it.
The Book of Genesis describes the profound idea of being made in God’s image, which has far-reaching implications. Humans inherit a desire to create as beings created in the Creator's image.
Embracing what is within us inspires the creation of
Authenticity
“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” - Viktor Frankl
As we approach the second weekend of 2025 and have more time to reflect, several quotes I read this week have inspired me.
After reading author Shakti Gawain's quote on living authentically, I was curious to find out who she is and to write today's short essay on being happy or contented.
Here is her quote, "Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want."
Hope
Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. - Desmond Tutu
Shirley and I enjoyed travelling to the Czech Republic in 2019. One of our fellow travellers, an avid admirer of political writers, and I spent an intriguing morning traipsing around Prague in search of books written in English by Václav Havel. Havel was a Czech writer, playwright, dissident, and first President. Following the fall of Communist rule, he emerged as a symbol of peaceful resistance to totalitarianism and became a pivotal figure in the history of modern Europe.
In his book Disturbing the Peace, Václav Havel wrote:
"Hope is a state of mind, not of the world. It is an orientation of the spirit and orientation of the heart; it transcends the world that is immediately experienced and is anchored somewhere beyond its horizons. Hope, in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously heading for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed."
Intentionality
“Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others’ choices make us.” - Richie Norton
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. I know we did, as we played many board games, including Scrabble. I strongly suggest Balderdash, but only if you want to experience tears of laughter.
A New Year is approaching, and being happier is always on the resolution list. However, as Matthieu Ricard suggests, “Happiness is not given to us, nor is misery imposed. At every moment, we are at a crossroads and must choose the direction we will take.”
Many people make New Year’s resolutions to improve
Reciprocity
If you want love, give love. If you want respect, give respect. What you give, you get.
This week, inspired by Robin Wall Kimmerer’s latest book, The Serviceberry, I felt compelled to explore the theme of reciprocity.
During the Christmas season, the idea of gratitude leading to reciprocity is beautifully evident in the traditions and practices associated with the holiday.
The season often begins with reflecting on what we are thankful for—family, friendships, and the year's blessings. The broader spirit of Christmas encourages us to pay it forward after reflecting on the kindness we have received throughout the year. In every expression of gratitude, from gift exchanges to acts of charity, the Christmas season transforms our thankfulness into action, embodying the spirit of love, generosity, and connection.
The themes of generosity, love, family, and goodwill resonate universally, transcending religious boundaries. Interestingly, many non-Christians celebrate the spirit of Christmas worldwide, often embracing its cultural and secular aspects rather than its religious significance.
Gratefulness
“How many of us go through our days parched and empty, thirsting after happiness, when we’re really standing knee-deep in the river of abundance?” — Sarah Ban
I recently read Wake Up Grateful: The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted by Kristi Nelson, and I can honestly say I’ve never highlighted a book more. It’s filled with profound nuggets of wisdom, offering countless truths that deeply resonated with me. Reading this book was an incredibly rewarding experience.
Curiosity
“Curiosity is one of the great secrets of happiness.” - Bryant H. McGill
Reflecting on curiosity, author Elizabeth Gilbert said, “Curiosity is the compass that leads us to our passions.” This resonates with me, as following my curiosity has led to some truly great moments of discovery.
When our two daughters were very young, they must have asked, “Why?” hundreds of times, supporting the idea that a child’s brain is like a sponge for knowledge, eager to figure out how the world works. Author and educator William Arthur Ward believed that “Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.”
This made me wonder: What would the world be like if adults maintained this mindset throughout their lives? Too often, we become comfortable with what we know (or think we know) and focus on defending it, leaving little room for wisdom or dialogue to flourish.
The “Beginner’s Mind,” or shoshin in Japanese Zen philosophy, encourages
Balance
“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” —Dan Millman
While I typically steer away from writing about politics, the recent election south of the border and the ongoing events in Ukraine and the Middle East have inspired me to reflect on the importance of addressing my anxiety.
Anxious tension exists within individuals, families, communities, and countries. This weekend is American Thanksgiving, and there are too many stories of families not coming together because of significant differences in opinions on how the government should be managed.
We seem to be splintering into tribes more than ever.
The flip side of anxiety is calm and confidence — where we feel secure and capable of handling life’s uncertainties. The question is how to get there. Anxiety often arises from a desire to feel safe and secure. And Plato said, “Courage is knowing what not to fear.”
Renewal
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” - Anne Lamott
I last wrote to share at the beginning of the new year. The downtime since has been rewarding, allowing me to read, reflect, explore the art of retiring, and recover from intense burnout.
One of the books I read was Bird by Bird, authored by Anne Lamott, an American writer known for her reflections on writing and life. In her book, she emphasizes the importance of writing as a means to understand and transform personal pain. Author Mary Anne Radmacher adds to that wisdom, noting, “Writing during burnout is not about perfection but about permission—permission to pause, to heal, and to rediscover yourself.
Journaling helped combat my burnout by providing a space for reflection and a private outlet to vent my frustrations. Writing down what I was grateful for allowed me to see the beauty around me, even in minor details. I am learning that a journal is a friend who listens without judgment and transforms my wounds into sources of hope.