Blog or white ... because it never is.

I have been in the work force for three decades.   Workplaces have changed a great deal in that time.  At my first "adult" job, I remember a co-worker telling me how wonderful our boss was and that it was too bad that this was my first job because I would never be able to appreciate how great he was.  She was right. Dennis was an extraordinary boss.  Long before the workplace was researched and analyzed as a sociological entity, Dennis was a leader and a manager.  He way decades ahead of the curve.  He actually led by example.  He was transparent and explained his decisions.  When he was able, he consulted prior to making decisions.  When he made decisions we didn't like, we still respected him as he explained what led to them.  He didn't ask him staff to do anything that he wasn't willing to do himself.  He was methodical and had a vision.  He defended his staff publicly even he didn't privately.  He earned our tr...

This Canadian believes that I live in the best country in the world.  There are so many things to be proud of;  our natural beauty; our diversity not only in people but in natural wonders; our commitment to social justice; our work ethic; our compassion, to name just a few.  I heard on the news today that we now have factor of which we are the number one country in the world.   We, as Canadians, have more debt per capita, than any other country in the world.  My guess we are not so proud of this one.  The new figures released say that we all have $1.70 in debt for every $1.00 we earn.  I have disclosed that my partner and I were "above average" when it came to debt at the start of 2017.  We are now well "below average" as we have successfully retired over $20,000 of our debt so far this year.  When my partner blogged about our financial "diet" and how it was working for us, a number of people reached out to him asking for help in p...

I think most of our mommas gave us the advice that if we can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. When we were young, that seemed fairly black and white.  If we didn't have a compliment for someone, we should be silent.  As we age, that advise seems harder to follow. The easiest example that reflects this dilemma is when you have a friend who wears something proudly that doesn't flatter her.  How do you tell someone, yes, you do look fat in those pants?  Well, it depends on a number of factors.   If you are a casual friend or a new friend, that will probably put the brakes on that friendship.  You don't have enough "friend equity" to make such a statement.  What happens if you are a good friend?  Don't you have a responsibility to tell your friend this?   Now, that's complicated.  I don't ride the bus very often but every time I do, I see a woman dressed in such a fashion that I can't help think, "doesn't that woman ...

So, this just happened...... My partner is physically ill today.  Believe me, there is a significant part of me that is not feeling any sympathy at all for him, but, that's another blog.  However, I am willing to go through the motions of being a caring spouse.  He wanted a McDonald's breakfast this afternoon and I felt obligated enough to get it for him. I entered out on my 15 minute quest. First, I had to make a quick stop at my ATM.  There was a time when going to an ATM was a quick impersonal experience.  A time to take a break from the pressure of having to make small talk with a teller.  Now, even going to an ATM is an experience.  The ATM now knows my name and thanks me for my visit and before I can withdraw a measly $20 of my own money, it has to engage in a conversation with me.  It has to tell me information.  Today, it told me that bank fees were changing on June 15.  Well, I know what that means.  I've had that con...

People often ask me how I work with people with dementia?  They perceive that it must be really difficult and think that I must have a great deal of patience.  They think my days are really stressful. Personally, I can't believe how lucky I am that I work with people with dementia.  My work days are very rich and full of joy.   Here are a few reasons why my days are so fulfilling: First of all, I never think that I am working with people with dementia.  I just think that I am working with people.  In fact, many days I wish more people had dementia.  People with a diagnosis of dementia seldom have a hidden agenda and are genuine in their thoughts.  They rarely have an intent to hurt you with their words.  Every day when I am work someone tells me I'm beautiful, and I know they really mean it.  Every day, I get hugs and I know they are sincere expressions of compassion.  It is very fulfilling and I don't know many workplac...