While there are times for being alone, the true state of people is in community, doing things. From humankind's earliest days around the fire, we have continued to benefit from the joys and strengths of being and building together. Listen to the CBC Ideas show, Left Behind. While we all need close friends and cohesive… Continue Reading
Author Archives: Rob Hueniken
A new way of helping
There is a movement afoot that is taking a look at how charity and aid might be done better at both the local and global levels. It is based on the 2009 book, "When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor…and Yourself", by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. The authors… Continue Reading
The Gift of Caring
Christmas time is a special time of the year, regardless of one's faith. It provides a time to remember people we care about, to travel to see family and friends, and to pause and reflect on years old and new. There are endless variations on gifts to buy, and it's easy to be sold on… Continue Reading
Occupy a Better Future
We are all part of our society – benefitting and struggling within the system we share. We might think of ourselves as isolated from the rest of the world, but our lives are entwined – connected to the world through our supply chain of food and materials, and to people around the world through our… Continue Reading
Don’t Forget About the Price Tag
In her cheerful yet poignant song, Price Tag, Jessie J helps shine some light on our society's obsession with money. In an age of endless encouragement to buy things, it is refreshing to hear a musical artist reminding us there are simpler, priceless aspects of life. Teaming up with American rapper B.o.B. and producer Dr… Continue Reading
The leaf is proud when it does fall
While it is still summer and the leaves are green, I thought I would present a poem I wrote about The Leaf. It is a testament to the life span of leaves, and their group contribution to the success of the tree. In many ways we are each a leaf of the tree of life… Continue Reading
Willpower – It’s about starting not finishing
The concept of willpower shows up when we become aware that our actions are under our own control. As small children we spend a lot of time playing and eating, with small interruptions for mandatory activities like bathing and sleeping. As we grow, we have additional duties, including helping at home, grooming ourselves, and going… Continue Reading
Nickel and Diming our Lives
We're a society that explores things — that tries things out. Some things cost a lot, some things are cheap, and some things seem to be free. Tucked into many of the things we use and buy are transaction costs — hidden costs that are added on. Whether it's putting gas in the car (which… Continue Reading
Seeing the Good in it
I was with friends last night, and we heard a strange popping sound in the kitchen. We looked up, wondered, then continued talking. Another popping sound had us suggesting that the ice maker might be dropping ice cubes on the ground. But when two more quick pops occured our host headed to the kitchen and… Continue Reading
The Bakery of Life and Love
I came upon some images of heart-shaped cookies and a cookie-cutter image of a person with outstretched arms. It reminds me that even though each of us is unique – with our own decisions and life journey – that we value the same good and basic ingredients: love, peace, freedom, harmony, joy, music and community.… Continue Reading