In the United States, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated on the third Monday of January. It’s a federal holiday, and government offices, schools and banks are closed. Here in Canada, Toronto recognizes the day, although most businesses and government offices remain open. King was important to the civil rights fight in the United States, but his legacy is international. He insisted on social change and asked the government to re-prioritize its efforts to focus on Americans instead of a war around the world.
It was 1967, Canada’s 100th birthday, when King was invited to speak at the Massey Lectures, an annual series dedicated to thinkers and philosophers. Here’s just one section from the famous lecture penned by King:
“Canada is not merely a neighbor to Negroes. Deep in our history of struggle for freedom Canada was the north star. The Negro slave, denied education, de-humanized, imprisoned on cruel plantations, knew that far to the north a land existed where a fugitive slave if he survived the horrors of the journey could find freedom. The legendary underground railroad started in the south and ended in Canada. The freedom road links us together.”
Janet Somerville, who would go on to become the General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, believed King was a living prophet. She worked with King to record his message to the Canadian people, and a friendship was forged. In January 1968, King would ask her to come to America and work with him to “heal a sick nation.” Somerville deferred the appointment, requesting until fall to make a decision.
Just three months later, in April, King was assassinated. Somerville said the man was instrumental to finding her path in the church. Canada was a safe haven for African-Americans during the Civil War of the United States, and our country has fought for civil rights for all for a long time.
King’s Legacy
In 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At the time, he was the youngest person to receive the award. He held at least 50 honorary doctorates and degrees from universities around the world. One is from Newcastle University, in the United Kingdom. He was the first African-American so honoured by the University. He was given a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom. Time magazine named him as the Person of the Year in 1963. Thirty-seven years later, he was listed as number six in the Person of the Century poll by the magazine.
His legacy is not limited to the United States, although he does have many monuments, schools and landmarks in his honor. Internationally, he’s remembered for his activism. In New Delhi, India, a plaza commemorates King and Gandhi together. There’s a school named after King in Accra, Ghana. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, both have forests named for them in Israel. In Debrecen, Hungary, there is a church named in his honour.
Do something this year in his memory. It might be something as simple as reading one of his speeches or biographies. Find the documentary “To Heal a Sick Nation” by Harry Belafonte, who was a close friend of King. The documentary delves into King’s activism.
Here’s another quote from King’s Massey Lecture:
“One of our spirituals, Follow the Drinking Gourd, in its disguised lyrics contained directions for escape. The gourd was the big dipper, and the north star to which its handle pointed gave the celestial map that directed the flight to the Canadian border. So standing today in Canada I am linked with the history of my people and its unity with your past.”
Our country is directly connected to the civil rights movement in the United States. We should remember this man who worked so hard.
May 21 is the United Nations designated international holiday to promote inclusivity and diversity. The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was adopted after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C. This year, the Third World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue takes place in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan on the theme: “Sharing Culture for a Shared Security” in May. Five different international organizations have planned this conference for world leaders to promote cultural awareness.
Why Is Diversity Important?
Almost all of the world’s major conflicts have an aspect of cultural dimension. Understanding the differences in cultures and religions builds bridges on what is common to everyone. Acknowledging the value of all cultures and ethnicities promotes inclusivity, according to Peter Mousaferiadis, creator of the 1st prize in the #DoOneThing video contest, “Diversified We Grow.” The video is available on YouTube, and it is a nice introduction to the question of why diversity is so vital in today’s multiracial world.
What Can You Do to Promote Diversity?
The UN offers these 10 suggestions for individuals and families who can’t attend an international conference.
Watch a movie or read a book about a religion other than your own.
Have dinner with another family whose background is much different than yours.
Visit museums and art exhibits that celebrate other cultures and traditions.
Study philosophers and historians from other countries to gain a different perspective.
Attend a worship service outside of your own religion. Contact the leader before you attend if you are concerned about the worship traditions and participation.
Play a game in which you put a post-it with the name of country on it on your forehead. Others tell you stereotypes about the country and you have to guess which one it is.
Read the ULC blog and others for information about celebrations around the world, such as Hanukkah, the Holi Festival of Colors, or the Chinese New Year.
Talk about your own culture with your family.
Listen to music from around the world.
Invite others to speak to your group about their traditions.
Join the Facebook campaign at “Do One Thing For Diversity and Inclusion” for more ideas about encouraging inclusivity in your community. This grassroots campaign encourages people to take action for diversity and promotes concrete ideas to do just that. There may be no way for you to change a conflict in Bangladesh, but you can prevent arguments in your community.
This campaign also sponsored the #DoOneThing video contest. The second place winner, “Tomato Story” By Lidiia Kozhevnikova is a very powerful story of how differences can be attractive. After you’ve found the first two videos, catch the third place winner, “Me and the differences” By Francesco Lucantoni. The contest is from 2013, but the message is timeless. Keep scrolling down the timeline and you’ll find a number of other cute videos with the same message.
Small Steps by Individuals Make Changes
A person’s cultural background affects their behavior and performance, but a person’s behavior and performance can also affect their culture. It’s important to understand how the dynamics of culture and religion shape a person, in order to challenge stereotypes and remove barriers between misunderstandings. None of these things happen overnight. It’s the small changes individuals make in their own lives that shifts the country’s thinking over time.
Join the celebration on May 21 by doing one thing to promote cultural diversity. Work within your own organization or church to encourage unity amid the differences in your community. The United Nations webpage on Cultural Diversity Day offers numerous resources both globally and locally. Promoting diversity discourages racism and intolerance. It starts with each person making strides to understand their neighbors.
On December 6, 1989, at l’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, 14 young women were gunned down by a man who was deliberately targeting women on the campus. This year marks the 26th anniversary of this tragic event, which is now commemorated by the Rose Campaign. The message heard around the country after this tragedy was “First Mourn, Then Work for Change.” Take this day as a message of hope for women who deal with violence.
Domestic Violence Statistics
Research indicates that more than 50 percent of women in Canada will experience some form of violence within their life. Younger women are more often targets of violence, and most women know their abuser. It’s estimated that this violence against women costs Canadians over $7 billion annually. It’s not just medical costs, but social services fees and lost productivity.
Women are not the only victims of domestic violence. Children witness these attacks, and it affects their own development. They cannot learn in school when they are scared of what will happen at home. When a child does see violence in the home, he or she is likely to develop long-term behavioral issues. This increases the costs associated with domestic violence, because the child may require therapy to address these issues and to be able to cope with the stress.
Who Is at Risk?
According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, violence against women is not limited to certain ethnic or religious groups, nor is it limited to any particular age or income group. Whether you’re atheist or Christian, this problem relates to everyone in the country. Unfortunately, there is one group in Canada that has an increased risk. Women of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis are 3.5 times more likely to be victims of violence than non-Aboriginal women. In fact, they are eight times more likely to be killed by their partner. Immigrant women and those with a disability are also higher-risk victims. Sadly, often when women go to get help, they may be dismissed by the police, the medical team, or family members who don’t want to acknowledge that there is a problem.
December 6 Activities
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women was established in 1991 by Parliament. The flag is flown at half-mast on federal buildings. The day is also known as White Ribbon Day. Canadians wear white or purple ribbons to show their support to end violence against women. In some locations, a moment of silence is observed in remembrance of the victims and to demonstrate support.
The Rose Campaign is the main advocacy program that drives awareness of domestic violence in Canada. It started a Light the Night Against Violence movement across the nation as another way to draw attention. Many monuments, bridges, and buildings will be lit up in red to take a stand. Vancouver City Hall, Yellowknife City Hall, CN Tower, and Science World are just a few of the buildings that will be alight that night. In Ontario, there will be memorial services and candlelight vigils as part of the commemoration.
How You Can Take Action Against Violence
Reflect on these statistics to understand the problem. Consider your circle of female friends. Half of them have probably experienced some form of domestic violence over their lifetime. What would you do if they admitted it to you?
Participate in the activities on December 6 to show your support for ending domestic violence. The response cannot stop there. It’s important to speak up about violence when you see it in your community. Those who commit violence need to be encouraged to get help. Women who experience violence need a place to be safe. Be a beacon of light in your community and help to fight this awful crime that transcends age, ethnicity, race, and religion.
The United Nations has designated October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. According to Globalissues.org, over three billion people, or half of the world’s population, live on less than $3.29CAD per day. In Canada, according to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, about 14 percent of the population have what is called “low income.” That means they make less than half of the median income, but the group is not truly labeled poor. Lack of income is just one way of measuring poverty. Because Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, we shouldn’t have almost five million people living without food or housing.
Although organizations measure poverty differently, it is agreed that certain subsets of Canadians are worse off than others. Aboriginal Canadians tend to make about 30 percent less than the rest of the population. Immigrants, seniors and those with disabilities are also at a higher risk of being affected by poverty. UNICEF measures child poverty, even in rich nations. Canada has 13.3 percent of its children living in poverty, compared to the average 11 percent in the other 35 economically advanced countries.
How Are You Affected By Poverty?
You may have a roof over your head and food in your refrigerator and get regular health care. However, poverty is a significant burden on the economy. It’s estimated that poverty costs Ontario about 6 percent of its Gross Domestic Product each year. Those who live in poverty have higher health care expenses, because their health is exacerbated by not having their basic needs met. Poverty shortens a person’s life by about 21 years. About 200,000 Canadians experience homelessness each year, and the figures are increasing due to the rising costs of housing and rising debt levels.
Personally, you may not ever experience poverty or have a reason to be concerned about knowing where your next meal is coming from. That’s not the reality for many of your neighbors. Whether or not you know these people, you should be aware of the effects of poverty on your community and the country. It takes more resources to help those individuals. Students who don’t have enough don’t learn effectively. Men and women who don’t have a home often don’t have a job. It hurts everyone when those people have to be supported.
A Plan to Reduce Poverty
In 2016, the Standing Committee on Human Resources developed a National Anti-Poverty Plan that recommends how poverty can be eradicated in our country. It’s been argued that investing in reducing child poverty has a huge return on future spending by the government in social assistance, criminal justice and the health system. This plan is comprehensive and considerate. It is guided by human rights, ensuring that those in need have dignity in getting assistance. It includes:
Early childhood education and care that is publicly funded
Investment for indigenous education and economic development
Improvements to the Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement programs to lift seniors out of poverty
Development of a policy concerning right to food
Improving the nutritional programs in the country
Implementing a national pharmacy program for prescription drug care for everyone
Federal minimum wage increases
Many organizations will be pushing the government to make steps in reducing poverty in Canada. The plan has been released but not accepted by Parliament. Join the Twitter or Facebook feed of Citizens for Public Justice to follow its progress and to learn how you can help. It’s going to take each of us to work together to make a difference in the lives of all. “It is never acceptable for a rich country to do nothing about poverty, and now is certainly not the time,” said Leilani Farha, Canada Without Poverty’s Executive Director. “The rights of 4.8 million people are being violated and yet the Federal Government hardly seems concerned. Our plan lays out the framework for a successful national anti-poverty plan.”
Summer might be half over, but there is still plenty of travel time before the snow flies to visit some great sites in our country. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting places to see to learn more about other faiths and to experience the peace and power of the past.
Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec
The peak season to make a pilgrimage to this stunning basilica along the Saint Lawrence River is July 26, the feast of St. Anne, who is the patron saint of Quebec. Many believe St. Anne intercedes for the pious to obtain miracles. Building began on the present-day basilica in 1926 and was finished in 1946, but the land where the building sits was donated to the Catholic Church in 1658. The building is not only home to the Catholic Church, it’s also a beautiful piece of architecture. Over half a million people come to the basilica annually.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal
Saint Joseph’s Oratory is a minor basilica, but it is the largest church in Canada. Construction began on a small chapel in 1904. In 1924, construction started on the basilica, but this was not completed until 1967. The dome of the basilica is the third-largest in the world. About two million visitors come to the basilica each year. On the 100th anniversary of the Oratory, it was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park, Woodview, Ontario
The Park is another National Historic Site, designated as the largest collection of First Nation rock carvings in Ontario. The glyphs are an important part of the history, but the rock site is a sacred place to the local Ojibwe people. The visitor center offers a great deal of information about the site and has a children’s hands-on activity room and a movie about the site. You won’t be allowed to photograph or videotape the rock carvings out of respect for the spirituality of the site.
Valley of the Ten Peaks, Banff National Park, Alberta
When you think of crystal-clear water, you might think of the Caribbean. But there’s a site right in this great country that features a crystal-clear blue-green lake surrounded by ten mountains giving you beautiful scenes and a calm atmosphere. The secluded valley is thought to be the home of the Nakoda, who are also known as the Stoney Indians. Although the mountains have been given individual names, at one time they were simply known by the numbers one through 10.
Majorville Medicine Wheel, South Alberta
A medicine wheel is a stone circle built by the First Nation tribes. Sites containing them are thought to have religious, astronomical and calendrical significance for the tribes. The one at Majorville features one of the most complex designs for a site of this nature. The aesthetic value is preserved because it overlooks an undisturbed native prairie. There are many other medicine wheels to visit in Canada. Saskatchewan boasts three:
Roy Rivers medicine wheel
Turtle medicine wheel
Tipperary Creek medicine wheel
Martyrs’ Shrine, Ontario
The Canadian Jesuit Martyrs’ Shrine is consecrated to the memory of Canadian and Jesuit martyrs, including Isaac Jogues (1607-1646), who was captured by the Iroquois, tortured and lost his fingers before being made a slave. He escaped and went to France, then returned to Canada to be a missionary. He was martyred at the age of 39. The shrine was consecrated in 1926. It’s only open through the summer season, because it was not built with insulation. There are a number of guided walking tours throughout the grounds to explore the monuments that have been erected.
You don’t have to be Catholic or a native First Nations people to visit one of these beautiful sites and experience the spirituality associated with the location. Take some time to see what’s in our great nation.
For some engaged or newly married Canadians, life’s journey will take them south of the border on a more permanent basis. Employment opportunities, enterprise, education or even the union itself may mean a move to the United States. Thousands of Canadians leave the Great White North each year to parts south. Almost 2% of the 42 million immigrants within the US hail from the nation whose name descends from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word Kanata, which translates to “village” or “sentiment.” While the two nations share the world’s longest border and other cultural elements, there’s a lot that you might not know about life in the States. Here are some things you should do before and right after you move.
Deciding Where To Live In The U.S.
The United States is the world’s third-most-populous nation behind China and India. It’s also the third in size by total area. It’s a place that has diverse regions in terms of climate and culture. You shouldn’t assume that you know what a place is like based on media and literature. The largest city, New York City, is itself a collection of various neighborhoods with various influences and personalities. If work and education are bringing you south of the border, the location may dictate your choices. Canada is a place that is intimately familiar with very cold temperatures in the winter. Parts of the Southern and Western United States have mild winters and extremely hot summers. The cost of living varies greatly from place to place. Keep all these in mind as you plan.
Applying for a Social Security Number
A social security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number assigned to citizens, permanent residents and temporary workers by the Social Security Administration, an agency of the federal government. This number acts sort of as a national ID for taxation and other purposes. Often various records for credit, education, health care and employment are sorted and indexed using the SSN. You will need an SSN to do the following:
Open an account with a financial institution
Complete a tax return
Apply for a driver’s license
Apply for a federal loan
Secure some types of public assistance
Opening a Bank Account In The U.S.
Having a checking account with a US bank is convenient for depositing paychecks and withdrawing money to pay bills and make purchases. Once you have your SSN and a mailing address, you’ll need to pick a bank or credit union for your money. Think about the type of personal banking features you’ll need, such as debit cards, automatic teller machines, branch locations and online access. You should go with an institution that has locations and amenities that are convenient to your lifestyle.
Establishing Credit
Building credit in the United States is an important part of putting down roots. If you want to finance a home or car purchase, lenders will look at your credit history to see how likely you are to repay your debts in full. If you want to rent an apartment, open an account with a utility provider or even work for some companies, your credit history will be reviewed. Having Canadian credit may not be enough for you to do all the things you need to do. Consider applying for a secured or prepaid credit card to start building a borrowing history stateside. By paying your balance on time each month, you’ll slowly build good credit to be eligible for the most favorable loan terms and conditions.
Starting a new phase of life in a new place can be very exciting, especially in the United States. There is much to offer, but it’s important to attend to a few matters as soon as possible. Think carefully about the life that you and your partner want to have and plan accordingly.
It’s hard enough to create a guest list for just adults, but dealing with kids at a wedding can be more complicated. When comes to young people, you have to decide first whether you want to and can include them at the affair. If you have space limitations, excluding children is a good place to start to keep the head count in check. If you decide to invite children, you do need to make some arrangements for them. Here are some thoughts to help you plan for children, or not, at your ceremony and reception.
Not Inviting Children
You should be prepared for people to ask you if their children are included on the invitation, even when it’s specifically addressed to just the parents. Have an answer ready, like, “no, we just can’t include children this time due to space parameters,” or “we need to limit the guest list.” If you’re allowing nieces, nephews or family members who are younger, say so. “We are only able to invite the children of our family.” It is very difficult to exclude children, but it is appropriate to only have those individuals at your wedding who you want. Just be tactful when you respond to people.
One additional note: It might be tempting to invite the kids to the ceremony only, but this isn’t recommended. Imagine how you would feel attending the service only to watch your friends or family go off to a party without you.
Inviting Children
Kids add a certain magic to a wedding because they experience it in a way adults cannot. Still, unattended children could easily turn into a black magic moment. You have to plan for kids in attendance.
Make sure you are clear about which children are invited from each family. If space isn’t an issue, then just put “and family” on the invitation. When space is an issue, you’ll need to write out each person’s name.
Dictate seating appropriately. Don’t put one adult at a table with lots of kids. Certainly reconsider placing all the children at a table without supervision. You might even consider having a designated adult or teenager, or a hired babysitter, keep an eye on things. It would be a small price to pay to maintain semblance and order while allowing parents to dance and enjoy the party too.
Talk to the caterer about offering a separate child’s meal that is simple and easy and something little ones will eat, such as chicken fingers or pizza. You might also request that the kids get served first because they won’t be as patient as adults. A sundae bar makes a great dessert option.
Keep the kids entertained. Set up a movie room or have goodie bags with crayons and color books. Place a few board games off to the side for after dinner. Provide diversions to keep everyone occupied.
Stay calm and have a sense of humor about the way the kids act. Ask your photographer to get those special moments of the kids dancing or sticking their fingers in the cake when no one’s looking. You can’t control every moment, so you might as well relax and just have fun with them.
Don’t apologize for giving your young friends the opportunity to take part in your wedding day. Children need to see these special moments to understand the world. However, you also don’t need to apologize for limiting your guest list and not allowing every child to attend. It’s your wedding and you need to make the best choices for you and your spouse. Do what needs to be done and stand firm. Just be prepared to deal with whichever option you choose to make the most of your ceremony and reception.
On March 20, people around the world will take steps to be happy and promote happiness for everyone. The initiative began in 2013, adopted by the UN. It was a campaign that began due to a consciousness that happiness should be a personal goal for everyone. It’s a basic human right. The American forefathers identified the pursuit of happiness as a right in the 18th century, and the UN finally got on board. In 2013, Ndaba Mandela and Chelsea Clinton, children of international political figures, kicked off the first celebration at the UN. In 2014, Pharrell Williams took over. Make sure to check out what Google does on March 20. Last year, Pharrell would randomly pop up in the search engine and dance.
Defining Happiness
Miriam-Webster defines happiness as “the state of being happy” or a “pleasurable or satisfying experience.” Synonyms include words such as pleasure, contentment, and well-being. These things are a bit subjective. When asking people how to measure happiness, scientists ask two questions:
How happy are you with your life as a whole?
How happy are you now?
Unfortunately, no one can really tell you how to be happy, but they also can’t tell you that you can’t be happy. Philosophers have tried for generations to find the secret to happiness, but it is an elusive concept that depends on so much more than just life status or money. Some people can be happy through circumstances that might crush another.
World Happiness Report
Scientists have tried to measure the happiness around the world. The first report was issued in 2013, In 2015, Canada ranked in the top 10 happiest countries in the world. Other countries that showed a great deal of happiness were Switzerland, Iceland, and Australia. These researchers did find that the global recession affected a country’s happiness score. Nicaragua and Ecuador showed increases in their happiness score, coinciding with their coming out of a recession. The World Happiness Report for 2016 will be released on March 16. It should be interesting to see where Canada places this year.
Get Involved
In 2015, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “The pursuit of happiness is serious business.” The UN offers a few ideas on how to take action on International Day of Happiness:
Do what makes you happy
Spread happiness
Tell people about the day
Celebrate the day
#internationaldayofhappiness to find what others are sharing
At dayofhappiness.org, they recommend sharing the day with others. Happinessday.org is the official site of the initiative, and they have a number of resources and information promoting happiness in your own life and in the community. One campaign asks you to cheer on happy heroes and take part in the day. At Happiness International, they have a happiness planner. It’s offered free to help you select your action plan toward being well.
Make March 20 a day of happiness. It’s a Sunday, which means most people will be off work. Do something that creates satisfaction in your life. Just for one day. If you find you aren’t happy with your life in general, ask yourself what you could do to be happy. Use the spring to make one change. Take a class. Make a friend. Pick up a hobby that helps you relax when you’re not a work. Change your attitude. Only you know what is going to make the difference in your life. Only you can take the steps toward your goals.
Remember that your happiness is part of something bigger. Human connection is one thing that has been found to increase happiness and satisfaction in people’s lives. When you are connected to friends and family, you not only increase your own well-being, but theirs as well. Share positive messages to those you love to defeat the feeling of isolation that has become so predominate in today’s culture.
Maybe you’ve heard of feng shui – creating balance with the natural world in one’s indoor spaces. Tied to some important Chinese cultural beliefs, this fascinating art is a few thousand years old. But how exactly does it work? Once you understand the basics, feng shui can be a little easier to grasp. This quick guide introduces its concepts and their applications.
Taoist Principles Behind Feng Shui
New York architect Anjie Cho explains feng shui’s roots. The term comes from two separate Chinese words — “feng” means wind and “shui” means water. It’s related to Tao, a principle underlying all creation and calling for harmony with its natural order.
Tao is an extensive philosophy, but some of its basics play out in feng shui. Qi, pronounced as “chi,” is a fundamental life energy flowing through the world. You may have heard of yin and yang – these refer to complementary opposite forces that must remain in balance. And then there’s Wu Xing, a cycle in which life moves through five states: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
With Wu Xing, creative or destructive effects occur based on the order in which the cycle moves. The Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia details how this works. Starting with wood, one state helps create the next. Wood can fuel a fire, which can produce ashes to create earth, and so on. But there’s also a controlling or suppressive cycle. Fire melts metal, metal cuts wood, and wood grows through earth. As this cycle continues, earth hems in water, which in turn extinguishes fire.
How the Five Elements Work
In another piece for The Spruce, Cho further describes how the five states work in feng shui. These states have physical properties, but they also represent intangible things. Earth, for instance, stands for nourishment, self-care, and boundaries. These states also have their own sets of colors:
Fire: red and orange
Earth: yellow and neutral earth tones
Metal: gray and silver
Water: black, darker gray, and navy
Wood: green and light blue tones
Shapes can also represent these element states. Fire shapes are very angular – usually triangles. Squares symbolize earth. Circles and round shapes recall the metal element. Irregular and wavy shapes point to water – like waves in a pond or lake. Tall shapes and columns represent wood, like the trunks of trees.
Thoughtful choices can help bring needed elements into your spaces. Sometimes, these choices are obvious. You could add a wooden desk and houseplants as wood elements in a home office. But sometimes, an item symbolizes one of the elements. Maybe you don’t have a brick oven in your kitchen, but your stove represents fire just the same. You shouldn’t bring a pile of dirt into your living room, but a square yellow rug can stand in for earth.
Positions in Feng Shui
Cho adds that placement makes a huge difference in feng shui. There’s the commanding position – the spot in each room located the farthest from the door. The commanding position is not in direct line with the door, but you can still see the door itself. It’s where you’d place objects that you use the most – the stove in your kitchen, your desk in a home office, and so forth.
Feng shui also uses a map to locate eight key areas in a space. This map, called a bagua, assigns each area to an aspect of life. The central southern area, for example, is red and represents one’s fame and reputation. There’s also a central area that stands for the individual – specifically, wellness and health.
More Than Interior Design
Feng shui comes from Taoist philosophies: important ideas that helped shape Chinese culture. While using feng shui can create beautiful interior spaces, the central goal is achieving balance with nature. Today’s practitioners have adapted its ancient concepts to modern interiors, building design, and lifestyles.
When you die, your debts don’t follow you beyond the grave. But that doesn’t mean that you can ignore them – at least not in Canada, anyway. Not all liabilities are the same, so you need to understand how Canadian law treats different types of debt. This vital understanding can help you make wise choices while planning for your family’s future.
Secured and Unsecured Debt
Most debt falls into one of two categories – secured or unsecured. Secured debt involves assets used as collateral, as Investopedia explains. Should the borrower default, the lender can seize the asset to help pay for the loan. Mortgages and auto loans are the two most common kinds of secured debt.
Most consumer debt, like credit cards or personal loans, is unsecured. This type doesn’t rely on collateral, so it tends to carry higher interest rates. Certain monthly expenses are also unsecured debts. Some examples include medical bills, revolving store credit, and gym memberships.
Unpaid Debts and Your Estate
Your estate contains both your assets and liabilities. Think of it this way: Anything you own is an asset, and anything you owe is a liability. Most creditors will still want repayment after you die, and they’ll hit up your estate to collect.
Secured or unsecured, your estate must pay debts before your heirs receive anything. Statistics from StatCan, HuffPost Canada, and CBC News may put things into perspective:
Nearly 68% of Canadians own their homes.
The average home price is currently $586,000.
The average Canadian owes $73,552 in debt.
The order in which debts are paid can vary. Home mortgages usually get priority, followed by auto loans and other secured debt. Unsecured debt is next on the list. Depending on how much you owe, your debts could total more than the value of your estate, in which case, under Canadian law, your estate is either declared insolvent or placed into bankruptcy. Mondaq explains that these estates must pay funeral expenses first. Estate administrative costs are next, followed by government debts and other remaining liabilities.
Debts and Your Family
Creditors can make claims against your estate, but what happens when there’s nothing left to pay? Can they come after your family for payment? Not in most cases, as Credit Canada explains. If you’re the sole borrower with no cosigners, your creditors are out of luck if your estate can’t pay them. Unscrupulous creditors may still try to collect anyway – they know the law but still want their money. Your family can file complaints with their provincial or territorial consumer affairs office. The national Office of Consumer Affairs offers tips for filing complaints.
People who cosign or jointly apply for debt are still on the hook for repayment if the primary borrower dies. Some creditors also hold supplementary cardholders responsible for payment. If you’re worried about lingering debt, you can give your heirs “living inheritances” while you’re still alive. Global News clarifies that Canada does not tax either inheritances or gifts. Capital gains taxes may apply if you’re gifting an asset and its value grows.
A Quick Word About Student Loans
Student loans are technically unsecured debt, but they’re treated a little differently. Employment and Social Development Canada explains that federal student loans are forgiven upon a borrower’s death. With private student loans, it’s a different story. Loans Canada reveals that private lenders have no legal obligation to forgive their loans after a borrower dies. While some do discharge these loans, others may make claims against your estate.
Nothing in our world is certain except death and taxes, quipped American statesman Benjamin Franklin. Understanding your debt and having a solid estate plan can prevent your family from being saddled with burdens after you’re gone.
In the United States, the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. is celebrated on the third Monday of January. It’s a federal holiday, and government offices, schools and banks are closed. Here in Canada, Toronto recognizes the day, although most businesses and government offices remain open. King was important to the civil rights fight in the United States, but his legacy is international. He insisted on social change and asked the government to re-prioritize its efforts to focus on Americans instead of a war around the world.
It was 1967, Canada’s 100th birthday, when King was invited to speak at the Massey Lectures, an annual series dedicated to thinkers and philosophers. Here’s just one section from the famous lecture penned by King:
“Canada is not merely a neighbor to Negroes. Deep in our history of struggle for freedom Canada was the north star. The Negro slave, denied education, de-humanized, imprisoned on cruel plantations, knew that far to the north a land existed where a fugitive slave if he survived the horrors of the journey could find freedom. The legendary underground railroad started in the south and ended in Canada. The freedom road links us together.”
Janet Somerville, who would go on to become the General Secretary of the Canadian Council of Churches, believed King was a living prophet. She worked with King to record his message to the Canadian people, and a friendship was forged. In January 1968, King would ask her to come to America and work with him to “heal a sick nation.” Somerville deferred the appointment, requesting until fall to make a decision.
Just three months later, in April, King was assassinated. Somerville said the man was instrumental to finding her path in the church. Canada was a safe haven for African-Americans during the Civil War of the United States, and our country has fought for civil rights for all for a long time.
King’s Legacy
In 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At the time, he was the youngest person to receive the award. He held at least 50 honorary doctorates and degrees from universities around the world. One is from Newcastle University, in the United Kingdom. He was the first African-American so honoured by the University. He was given a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom. Time magazine named him as the Person of the Year in 1963. Thirty-seven years later, he was listed as number six in the Person of the Century poll by the magazine.
His legacy is not limited to the United States, although he does have many monuments, schools and landmarks in his honor. Internationally, he’s remembered for his activism. In New Delhi, India, a plaza commemorates King and Gandhi together. There’s a school named after King in Accra, Ghana. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, both have forests named for them in Israel. In Debrecen, Hungary, there is a church named in his honour.
Do something this year in his memory. It might be something as simple as reading one of his speeches or biographies. Find the documentary “To Heal a Sick Nation” by Harry Belafonte, who was a close friend of King. The documentary delves into King’s activism.
Here’s another quote from King’s Massey Lecture:
“One of our spirituals, Follow the Drinking Gourd, in its disguised lyrics contained directions for escape. The gourd was the big dipper, and the north star to which its handle pointed gave the celestial map that directed the flight to the Canadian border. So standing today in Canada I am linked with the history of my people and its unity with your past.”
Our country is directly connected to the civil rights movement in the United States. We should remember this man who worked so hard.
May 21 is the United Nations designated international holiday to promote inclusivity and diversity. The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was adopted after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington D.C. This year, the Third World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue takes place in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan on the theme: “Sharing Culture for a Shared Security” in May. Five different international organizations have planned this conference for world leaders to promote cultural awareness.
Why Is Diversity Important?
Almost all of the world’s major conflicts have an aspect of cultural dimension. Understanding the differences in cultures and religions builds bridges on what is common to everyone. Acknowledging the value of all cultures and ethnicities promotes inclusivity, according to Peter Mousaferiadis, creator of the 1st prize in the #DoOneThing video contest, “Diversified We Grow.” The video is available on YouTube, and it is a nice introduction to the question of why diversity is so vital in today’s multiracial world.
What Can You Do to Promote Diversity?
The UN offers these 10 suggestions for individuals and families who can’t attend an international conference.
Watch a movie or read a book about a religion other than your own.
Have dinner with another family whose background is much different than yours.
Visit museums and art exhibits that celebrate other cultures and traditions.
Study philosophers and historians from other countries to gain a different perspective.
Attend a worship service outside of your own religion. Contact the leader before you attend if you are concerned about the worship traditions and participation.
Play a game in which you put a post-it with the name of country on it on your forehead. Others tell you stereotypes about the country and you have to guess which one it is.
Read the ULC blog and others for information about celebrations around the world, such as Hanukkah, the Holi Festival of Colors, or the Chinese New Year.
Talk about your own culture with your family.
Listen to music from around the world.
Invite others to speak to your group about their traditions.
Join the Facebook campaign at “Do One Thing For Diversity and Inclusion” for more ideas about encouraging inclusivity in your community. This grassroots campaign encourages people to take action for diversity and promotes concrete ideas to do just that. There may be no way for you to change a conflict in Bangladesh, but you can prevent arguments in your community.
This campaign also sponsored the #DoOneThing video contest. The second place winner, “Tomato Story” By Lidiia Kozhevnikova is a very powerful story of how differences can be attractive. After you’ve found the first two videos, catch the third place winner, “Me and the differences” By Francesco Lucantoni. The contest is from 2013, but the message is timeless. Keep scrolling down the timeline and you’ll find a number of other cute videos with the same message.
Small Steps by Individuals Make Changes
A person’s cultural background affects their behavior and performance, but a person’s behavior and performance can also affect their culture. It’s important to understand how the dynamics of culture and religion shape a person, in order to challenge stereotypes and remove barriers between misunderstandings. None of these things happen overnight. It’s the small changes individuals make in their own lives that shifts the country’s thinking over time.
Join the celebration on May 21 by doing one thing to promote cultural diversity. Work within your own organization or church to encourage unity amid the differences in your community. The United Nations webpage on Cultural Diversity Day offers numerous resources both globally and locally. Promoting diversity discourages racism and intolerance. It starts with each person making strides to understand their neighbors.
On December 6, 1989, at l’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, 14 young women were gunned down by a man who was deliberately targeting women on the campus. This year marks the 26th anniversary of this tragic event, which is now commemorated by the Rose Campaign. The message heard around the country after this tragedy was “First Mourn, Then Work for Change.” Take this day as a message of hope for women who deal with violence.
Domestic Violence Statistics
Research indicates that more than 50 percent of women in Canada will experience some form of violence within their life. Younger women are more often targets of violence, and most women know their abuser. It’s estimated that this violence against women costs Canadians over $7 billion annually. It’s not just medical costs, but social services fees and lost productivity.
Women are not the only victims of domestic violence. Children witness these attacks, and it affects their own development. They cannot learn in school when they are scared of what will happen at home. When a child does see violence in the home, he or she is likely to develop long-term behavioral issues. This increases the costs associated with domestic violence, because the child may require therapy to address these issues and to be able to cope with the stress.
Who Is at Risk?
According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, violence against women is not limited to certain ethnic or religious groups, nor is it limited to any particular age or income group. Whether you’re atheist or Christian, this problem relates to everyone in the country. Unfortunately, there is one group in Canada that has an increased risk. Women of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis are 3.5 times more likely to be victims of violence than non-Aboriginal women. In fact, they are eight times more likely to be killed by their partner. Immigrant women and those with a disability are also higher-risk victims. Sadly, often when women go to get help, they may be dismissed by the police, the medical team, or family members who don’t want to acknowledge that there is a problem.
December 6 Activities
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women was established in 1991 by Parliament. The flag is flown at half-mast on federal buildings. The day is also known as White Ribbon Day. Canadians wear white or purple ribbons to show their support to end violence against women. In some locations, a moment of silence is observed in remembrance of the victims and to demonstrate support.
The Rose Campaign is the main advocacy program that drives awareness of domestic violence in Canada. It started a Light the Night Against Violence movement across the nation as another way to draw attention. Many monuments, bridges, and buildings will be lit up in red to take a stand. Vancouver City Hall, Yellowknife City Hall, CN Tower, and Science World are just a few of the buildings that will be alight that night. In Ontario, there will be memorial services and candlelight vigils as part of the commemoration.
How You Can Take Action Against Violence
Reflect on these statistics to understand the problem. Consider your circle of female friends. Half of them have probably experienced some form of domestic violence over their lifetime. What would you do if they admitted it to you?
Participate in the activities on December 6 to show your support for ending domestic violence. The response cannot stop there. It’s important to speak up about violence when you see it in your community. Those who commit violence need to be encouraged to get help. Women who experience violence need a place to be safe. Be a beacon of light in your community and help to fight this awful crime that transcends age, ethnicity, race, and religion.
The United Nations has designated October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. According to Globalissues.org, over three billion people, or half of the world’s population, live on less than $3.29CAD per day. In Canada, according to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, about 14 percent of the population have what is called “low income.” That means they make less than half of the median income, but the group is not truly labeled poor. Lack of income is just one way of measuring poverty. Because Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, we shouldn’t have almost five million people living without food or housing.
Although organizations measure poverty differently, it is agreed that certain subsets of Canadians are worse off than others. Aboriginal Canadians tend to make about 30 percent less than the rest of the population. Immigrants, seniors and those with disabilities are also at a higher risk of being affected by poverty. UNICEF measures child poverty, even in rich nations. Canada has 13.3 percent of its children living in poverty, compared to the average 11 percent in the other 35 economically advanced countries.
How Are You Affected By Poverty?
You may have a roof over your head and food in your refrigerator and get regular health care. However, poverty is a significant burden on the economy. It’s estimated that poverty costs Ontario about 6 percent of its Gross Domestic Product each year. Those who live in poverty have higher health care expenses, because their health is exacerbated by not having their basic needs met. Poverty shortens a person’s life by about 21 years. About 200,000 Canadians experience homelessness each year, and the figures are increasing due to the rising costs of housing and rising debt levels.
Personally, you may not ever experience poverty or have a reason to be concerned about knowing where your next meal is coming from. That’s not the reality for many of your neighbors. Whether or not you know these people, you should be aware of the effects of poverty on your community and the country. It takes more resources to help those individuals. Students who don’t have enough don’t learn effectively. Men and women who don’t have a home often don’t have a job. It hurts everyone when those people have to be supported.
A Plan to Reduce Poverty
In 2016, the Standing Committee on Human Resources developed a National Anti-Poverty Plan that recommends how poverty can be eradicated in our country. It’s been argued that investing in reducing child poverty has a huge return on future spending by the government in social assistance, criminal justice and the health system. This plan is comprehensive and considerate. It is guided by human rights, ensuring that those in need have dignity in getting assistance. It includes:
Early childhood education and care that is publicly funded
Investment for indigenous education and economic development
Improvements to the Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement programs to lift seniors out of poverty
Development of a policy concerning right to food
Improving the nutritional programs in the country
Implementing a national pharmacy program for prescription drug care for everyone
Federal minimum wage increases
Many organizations will be pushing the government to make steps in reducing poverty in Canada. The plan has been released but not accepted by Parliament. Join the Twitter or Facebook feed of Citizens for Public Justice to follow its progress and to learn how you can help. It’s going to take each of us to work together to make a difference in the lives of all. “It is never acceptable for a rich country to do nothing about poverty, and now is certainly not the time,” said Leilani Farha, Canada Without Poverty’s Executive Director. “The rights of 4.8 million people are being violated and yet the Federal Government hardly seems concerned. Our plan lays out the framework for a successful national anti-poverty plan.”
Summer might be half over, but there is still plenty of travel time before the snow flies to visit some great sites in our country. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting places to see to learn more about other faiths and to experience the peace and power of the past.
Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Quebec
The peak season to make a pilgrimage to this stunning basilica along the Saint Lawrence River is July 26, the feast of St. Anne, who is the patron saint of Quebec. Many believe St. Anne intercedes for the pious to obtain miracles. Building began on the present-day basilica in 1926 and was finished in 1946, but the land where the building sits was donated to the Catholic Church in 1658. The building is not only home to the Catholic Church, it’s also a beautiful piece of architecture. Over half a million people come to the basilica annually.
Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Montreal
Saint Joseph’s Oratory is a minor basilica, but it is the largest church in Canada. Construction began on a small chapel in 1904. In 1924, construction started on the basilica, but this was not completed until 1967. The dome of the basilica is the third-largest in the world. About two million visitors come to the basilica each year. On the 100th anniversary of the Oratory, it was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park, Woodview, Ontario
The Park is another National Historic Site, designated as the largest collection of First Nation rock carvings in Ontario. The glyphs are an important part of the history, but the rock site is a sacred place to the local Ojibwe people. The visitor center offers a great deal of information about the site and has a children’s hands-on activity room and a movie about the site. You won’t be allowed to photograph or videotape the rock carvings out of respect for the spirituality of the site.
Valley of the Ten Peaks, Banff National Park, Alberta
When you think of crystal-clear water, you might think of the Caribbean. But there’s a site right in this great country that features a crystal-clear blue-green lake surrounded by ten mountains giving you beautiful scenes and a calm atmosphere. The secluded valley is thought to be the home of the Nakoda, who are also known as the Stoney Indians. Although the mountains have been given individual names, at one time they were simply known by the numbers one through 10.
Majorville Medicine Wheel, South Alberta
A medicine wheel is a stone circle built by the First Nation tribes. Sites containing them are thought to have religious, astronomical and calendrical significance for the tribes. The one at Majorville features one of the most complex designs for a site of this nature. The aesthetic value is preserved because it overlooks an undisturbed native prairie. There are many other medicine wheels to visit in Canada. Saskatchewan boasts three:
Roy Rivers medicine wheel
Turtle medicine wheel
Tipperary Creek medicine wheel
Martyrs’ Shrine, Ontario
The Canadian Jesuit Martyrs’ Shrine is consecrated to the memory of Canadian and Jesuit martyrs, including Isaac Jogues (1607-1646), who was captured by the Iroquois, tortured and lost his fingers before being made a slave. He escaped and went to France, then returned to Canada to be a missionary. He was martyred at the age of 39. The shrine was consecrated in 1926. It’s only open through the summer season, because it was not built with insulation. There are a number of guided walking tours throughout the grounds to explore the monuments that have been erected.
You don’t have to be Catholic or a native First Nations people to visit one of these beautiful sites and experience the spirituality associated with the location. Take some time to see what’s in our great nation.
For some engaged or newly married Canadians, life’s journey will take them south of the border on a more permanent basis. Employment opportunities, enterprise, education or even the union itself may mean a move to the United States. Thousands of Canadians leave the Great White North each year to parts south. Almost 2% of the 42 million immigrants within the US hail from the nation whose name descends from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word Kanata, which translates to “village” or “sentiment.” While the two nations share the world’s longest border and other cultural elements, there’s a lot that you might not know about life in the States. Here are some things you should do before and right after you move.
Deciding Where To Live In The U.S.
The United States is the world’s third-most-populous nation behind China and India. It’s also the third in size by total area. It’s a place that has diverse regions in terms of climate and culture. You shouldn’t assume that you know what a place is like based on media and literature. The largest city, New York City, is itself a collection of various neighborhoods with various influences and personalities. If work and education are bringing you south of the border, the location may dictate your choices. Canada is a place that is intimately familiar with very cold temperatures in the winter. Parts of the Southern and Western United States have mild winters and extremely hot summers. The cost of living varies greatly from place to place. Keep all these in mind as you plan.
Applying for a Social Security Number
A social security number (SSN) is a nine-digit number assigned to citizens, permanent residents and temporary workers by the Social Security Administration, an agency of the federal government. This number acts sort of as a national ID for taxation and other purposes. Often various records for credit, education, health care and employment are sorted and indexed using the SSN. You will need an SSN to do the following:
Open an account with a financial institution
Complete a tax return
Apply for a driver’s license
Apply for a federal loan
Secure some types of public assistance
Opening a Bank Account In The U.S.
Having a checking account with a US bank is convenient for depositing paychecks and withdrawing money to pay bills and make purchases. Once you have your SSN and a mailing address, you’ll need to pick a bank or credit union for your money. Think about the type of personal banking features you’ll need, such as debit cards, automatic teller machines, branch locations and online access. You should go with an institution that has locations and amenities that are convenient to your lifestyle.
Establishing Credit
Building credit in the United States is an important part of putting down roots. If you want to finance a home or car purchase, lenders will look at your credit history to see how likely you are to repay your debts in full. If you want to rent an apartment, open an account with a utility provider or even work for some companies, your credit history will be reviewed. Having Canadian credit may not be enough for you to do all the things you need to do. Consider applying for a secured or prepaid credit card to start building a borrowing history stateside. By paying your balance on time each month, you’ll slowly build good credit to be eligible for the most favorable loan terms and conditions.
Starting a new phase of life in a new place can be very exciting, especially in the United States. There is much to offer, but it’s important to attend to a few matters as soon as possible. Think carefully about the life that you and your partner want to have and plan accordingly.
It’s hard enough to create a guest list for just adults, but dealing with kids at a wedding can be more complicated. When comes to young people, you have to decide first whether you want to and can include them at the affair. If you have space limitations, excluding children is a good place to start to keep the head count in check. If you decide to invite children, you do need to make some arrangements for them. Here are some thoughts to help you plan for children, or not, at your ceremony and reception.
Not Inviting Children
You should be prepared for people to ask you if their children are included on the invitation, even when it’s specifically addressed to just the parents. Have an answer ready, like, “no, we just can’t include children this time due to space parameters,” or “we need to limit the guest list.” If you’re allowing nieces, nephews or family members who are younger, say so. “We are only able to invite the children of our family.” It is very difficult to exclude children, but it is appropriate to only have those individuals at your wedding who you want. Just be tactful when you respond to people.
One additional note: It might be tempting to invite the kids to the ceremony only, but this isn’t recommended. Imagine how you would feel attending the service only to watch your friends or family go off to a party without you.
Inviting Children
Kids add a certain magic to a wedding because they experience it in a way adults cannot. Still, unattended children could easily turn into a black magic moment. You have to plan for kids in attendance.
Make sure you are clear about which children are invited from each family. If space isn’t an issue, then just put “and family” on the invitation. When space is an issue, you’ll need to write out each person’s name.
Dictate seating appropriately. Don’t put one adult at a table with lots of kids. Certainly reconsider placing all the children at a table without supervision. You might even consider having a designated adult or teenager, or a hired babysitter, keep an eye on things. It would be a small price to pay to maintain semblance and order while allowing parents to dance and enjoy the party too.
Talk to the caterer about offering a separate child’s meal that is simple and easy and something little ones will eat, such as chicken fingers or pizza. You might also request that the kids get served first because they won’t be as patient as adults. A sundae bar makes a great dessert option.
Keep the kids entertained. Set up a movie room or have goodie bags with crayons and color books. Place a few board games off to the side for after dinner. Provide diversions to keep everyone occupied.
Stay calm and have a sense of humor about the way the kids act. Ask your photographer to get those special moments of the kids dancing or sticking their fingers in the cake when no one’s looking. You can’t control every moment, so you might as well relax and just have fun with them.
Don’t apologize for giving your young friends the opportunity to take part in your wedding day. Children need to see these special moments to understand the world. However, you also don’t need to apologize for limiting your guest list and not allowing every child to attend. It’s your wedding and you need to make the best choices for you and your spouse. Do what needs to be done and stand firm. Just be prepared to deal with whichever option you choose to make the most of your ceremony and reception.
On March 20, people around the world will take steps to be happy and promote happiness for everyone. The initiative began in 2013, adopted by the UN. It was a campaign that began due to a consciousness that happiness should be a personal goal for everyone. It’s a basic human right. The American forefathers identified the pursuit of happiness as a right in the 18th century, and the UN finally got on board. In 2013, Ndaba Mandela and Chelsea Clinton, children of international political figures, kicked off the first celebration at the UN. In 2014, Pharrell Williams took over. Make sure to check out what Google does on March 20. Last year, Pharrell would randomly pop up in the search engine and dance.
Defining Happiness
Miriam-Webster defines happiness as “the state of being happy” or a “pleasurable or satisfying experience.” Synonyms include words such as pleasure, contentment, and well-being. These things are a bit subjective. When asking people how to measure happiness, scientists ask two questions:
How happy are you with your life as a whole?
How happy are you now?
Unfortunately, no one can really tell you how to be happy, but they also can’t tell you that you can’t be happy. Philosophers have tried for generations to find the secret to happiness, but it is an elusive concept that depends on so much more than just life status or money. Some people can be happy through circumstances that might crush another.
World Happiness Report
Scientists have tried to measure the happiness around the world. The first report was issued in 2013, In 2015, Canada ranked in the top 10 happiest countries in the world. Other countries that showed a great deal of happiness were Switzerland, Iceland, and Australia. These researchers did find that the global recession affected a country’s happiness score. Nicaragua and Ecuador showed increases in their happiness score, coinciding with their coming out of a recession. The World Happiness Report for 2016 will be released on March 16. It should be interesting to see where Canada places this year.
Get Involved
In 2015, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “The pursuit of happiness is serious business.” The UN offers a few ideas on how to take action on International Day of Happiness:
Do what makes you happy
Spread happiness
Tell people about the day
Celebrate the day
#internationaldayofhappiness to find what others are sharing
At dayofhappiness.org, they recommend sharing the day with others. Happinessday.org is the official site of the initiative, and they have a number of resources and information promoting happiness in your own life and in the community. One campaign asks you to cheer on happy heroes and take part in the day. At Happiness International, they have a happiness planner. It’s offered free to help you select your action plan toward being well.
Make March 20 a day of happiness. It’s a Sunday, which means most people will be off work. Do something that creates satisfaction in your life. Just for one day. If you find you aren’t happy with your life in general, ask yourself what you could do to be happy. Use the spring to make one change. Take a class. Make a friend. Pick up a hobby that helps you relax when you’re not a work. Change your attitude. Only you know what is going to make the difference in your life. Only you can take the steps toward your goals.
Remember that your happiness is part of something bigger. Human connection is one thing that has been found to increase happiness and satisfaction in people’s lives. When you are connected to friends and family, you not only increase your own well-being, but theirs as well. Share positive messages to those you love to defeat the feeling of isolation that has become so predominate in today’s culture.
Maybe you’ve heard of feng shui – creating balance with the natural world in one’s indoor spaces. Tied to some important Chinese cultural beliefs, this fascinating art is a few thousand years old. But how exactly does it work? Once you understand the basics, feng shui can be a little easier to grasp. This quick guide introduces its concepts and their applications.
Taoist Principles Behind Feng Shui
New York architect Anjie Cho explains feng shui’s roots. The term comes from two separate Chinese words — “feng” means wind and “shui” means water. It’s related to Tao, a principle underlying all creation and calling for harmony with its natural order.
Tao is an extensive philosophy, but some of its basics play out in feng shui. Qi, pronounced as “chi,” is a fundamental life energy flowing through the world. You may have heard of yin and yang – these refer to complementary opposite forces that must remain in balance. And then there’s Wu Xing, a cycle in which life moves through five states: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
With Wu Xing, creative or destructive effects occur based on the order in which the cycle moves. The Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia details how this works. Starting with wood, one state helps create the next. Wood can fuel a fire, which can produce ashes to create earth, and so on. But there’s also a controlling or suppressive cycle. Fire melts metal, metal cuts wood, and wood grows through earth. As this cycle continues, earth hems in water, which in turn extinguishes fire.
How the Five Elements Work
In another piece for The Spruce, Cho further describes how the five states work in feng shui. These states have physical properties, but they also represent intangible things. Earth, for instance, stands for nourishment, self-care, and boundaries. These states also have their own sets of colors:
Fire: red and orange
Earth: yellow and neutral earth tones
Metal: gray and silver
Water: black, darker gray, and navy
Wood: green and light blue tones
Shapes can also represent these element states. Fire shapes are very angular – usually triangles. Squares symbolize earth. Circles and round shapes recall the metal element. Irregular and wavy shapes point to water – like waves in a pond or lake. Tall shapes and columns represent wood, like the trunks of trees.
Thoughtful choices can help bring needed elements into your spaces. Sometimes, these choices are obvious. You could add a wooden desk and houseplants as wood elements in a home office. But sometimes, an item symbolizes one of the elements. Maybe you don’t have a brick oven in your kitchen, but your stove represents fire just the same. You shouldn’t bring a pile of dirt into your living room, but a square yellow rug can stand in for earth.
Positions in Feng Shui
Cho adds that placement makes a huge difference in feng shui. There’s the commanding position – the spot in each room located the farthest from the door. The commanding position is not in direct line with the door, but you can still see the door itself. It’s where you’d place objects that you use the most – the stove in your kitchen, your desk in a home office, and so forth.
Feng shui also uses a map to locate eight key areas in a space. This map, called a bagua, assigns each area to an aspect of life. The central southern area, for example, is red and represents one’s fame and reputation. There’s also a central area that stands for the individual – specifically, wellness and health.
More Than Interior Design
Feng shui comes from Taoist philosophies: important ideas that helped shape Chinese culture. While using feng shui can create beautiful interior spaces, the central goal is achieving balance with nature. Today’s practitioners have adapted its ancient concepts to modern interiors, building design, and lifestyles.
When you die, your debts don’t follow you beyond the grave. But that doesn’t mean that you can ignore them – at least not in Canada, anyway. Not all liabilities are the same, so you need to understand how Canadian law treats different types of debt. This vital understanding can help you make wise choices while planning for your family’s future.
Secured and Unsecured Debt
Most debt falls into one of two categories – secured or unsecured. Secured debt involves assets used as collateral, as Investopedia explains. Should the borrower default, the lender can seize the asset to help pay for the loan. Mortgages and auto loans are the two most common kinds of secured debt.
Most consumer debt, like credit cards or personal loans, is unsecured. This type doesn’t rely on collateral, so it tends to carry higher interest rates. Certain monthly expenses are also unsecured debts. Some examples include medical bills, revolving store credit, and gym memberships.
Unpaid Debts and Your Estate
Your estate contains both your assets and liabilities. Think of it this way: Anything you own is an asset, and anything you owe is a liability. Most creditors will still want repayment after you die, and they’ll hit up your estate to collect.
Secured or unsecured, your estate must pay debts before your heirs receive anything. Statistics from StatCan, HuffPost Canada, and CBC News may put things into perspective:
Nearly 68% of Canadians own their homes.
The average home price is currently $586,000.
The average Canadian owes $73,552 in debt.
The order in which debts are paid can vary. Home mortgages usually get priority, followed by auto loans and other secured debt. Unsecured debt is next on the list. Depending on how much you owe, your debts could total more than the value of your estate, in which case, under Canadian law, your estate is either declared insolvent or placed into bankruptcy. Mondaq explains that these estates must pay funeral expenses first. Estate administrative costs are next, followed by government debts and other remaining liabilities.
Debts and Your Family
Creditors can make claims against your estate, but what happens when there’s nothing left to pay? Can they come after your family for payment? Not in most cases, as Credit Canada explains. If you’re the sole borrower with no cosigners, your creditors are out of luck if your estate can’t pay them. Unscrupulous creditors may still try to collect anyway – they know the law but still want their money. Your family can file complaints with their provincial or territorial consumer affairs office. The national Office of Consumer Affairs offers tips for filing complaints.
People who cosign or jointly apply for debt are still on the hook for repayment if the primary borrower dies. Some creditors also hold supplementary cardholders responsible for payment. If you’re worried about lingering debt, you can give your heirs “living inheritances” while you’re still alive. Global News clarifies that Canada does not tax either inheritances or gifts. Capital gains taxes may apply if you’re gifting an asset and its value grows.
A Quick Word About Student Loans
Student loans are technically unsecured debt, but they’re treated a little differently. Employment and Social Development Canada explains that federal student loans are forgiven upon a borrower’s death. With private student loans, it’s a different story. Loans Canada reveals that private lenders have no legal obligation to forgive their loans after a borrower dies. While some do discharge these loans, others may make claims against your estate.
Nothing in our world is certain except death and taxes, quipped American statesman Benjamin Franklin. Understanding your debt and having a solid estate plan can prevent your family from being saddled with burdens after you’re gone.
