Today is Municipal Election Day. We’ve had the chance to gather information and reflect on the choices we can make. It’s a privilege to play a small but important role in determining the future of my city.

To love is to recognize and maintain the ties that bind us together and to say genuinely “I will help you, care about you, and protect you.“

When I need to understand an issue that is unclear, stepping back to research, discern and reflect will always bring clarity. Being genuinely informed takes time, patience and work. But it is always worth it.

Happy Thanksgiving! It’s another day to accept God’s gifts and to commit to never taking for granted all we have been given. Enjoy the presence of those you love and who love you. You

It’s the same for civic and faith communities. We need to learn much about what our future will ask of us because we all have a responsibility to take part. It would be a good thing for everyone if each of us accepted the invitation to participate and contribute our share.

Deliberately attempting to be generous and kind will take away much of the anxiety of each day.

Whom do you hold in high esteem? Why?

Generosity can be made a difficult issue when we believe it should only be granted to those who deserve it.

While we may crave instant change, the most meaningful growth often happens through small steps overtime. In the process of transformation, it is good to be patient in situations as well as with others and ourselves.

On the anniversary of 9/11 we remember those who died, their families and friends along with first responders and all who showed courage and brought healing. What matters most in life is caring for every human in our path. May resilience support us and hope strengthen us.

As school begins I’m grateful for those who nurture the minds, hearts and faith of our students while caring for their safety and health every day. Be well. Be kind. Be safe.

Happy Labour Day. This is a day we can think of the talent given us and use it, grateful for being able to work and care for others while not forgetting those who are weary, overworked, underpaid or unemployed.

Do we influence each other with kindness and respect? If someone criticizes me, I hope I will have the humility to see what is true in their words and to learn from them. And if I need to give feedback to someone else, I need to try to do so in a way that is kind yet effective.

As I rapidly scroll through social media, it is possible to not feel the suffering of others. It’s easy to ignore the brokenness of our world. But I can change that if I regularly stop and ask how my kindness and attitude can make a difference to those in need.

Every day is a chance to meet hatred with love, initiate healing, where there is brokenness, and promote hope wherever there is despair. It’s always good to determine if my participation is characterized by control of the situation or by service of others.

Who gets placed outside my circle? Whose story have I never bothered to hear? Who have I judged before I even have a conversation? Dialogue is risky because it takes away control, but I may discover someone is far more complex than I imagined. I can then grow.

Why is it that the need for constant communication regularly appears to win out over the gift of occasionally being silent. Authentic listening is a skill.

What can be done today to relieve the hunger of one person?

Every now and again it helps to stop and seek insight in order to recognize what is truly valuable and develop the courage to pursue it.

In times of conflict evil may hurt us, but it has no grip over us. We need to stand back from the messages that bombard us every day and seek the wisdom to differentiate between what is valuable and what is destructive and how to approach each situation with fairness.