Mar. 30, 2010 - Switch by Chip and Dan Heath

"For anything to change, someone has to start acting differently." Why is it so difficult for change to happen? The older we get, the more set in our ways we are. The way we act has become an engrained habit which is difficult if not impossible to change. Have you ever noticed that people tend to sit in the same spot on the bus or the same table at a conference, even though there is no seating plan? How are traditions established? Because, people like a certain activity and don't want that to change - they make it a part of their family routine. If change is so difficult to accomplish, why bother at all? Let's just agree to be consistent and leave it at that. But sometimes change is necessary for our personal growth, our health or our emotional state. The authors identify three ways to establish change in your family life, personal life, career or community - direct the rider, motivate the elephant and shape the path.

We've all experienced changes in our lives and gotten through them. Life is indeed a series of big changes - childhood, adulthood, new job, a baby's birth, and even death which is inevitable. There is a comfort in doing things the same way you always have but this causes people to stagnate and be unmotivated. If we are to grow and learn, we need to start embracing change and looking for opportunities that will help us evolve. As long as we are not changing for the sake of change, but rather for improvement or to update an outdated system or way of thinking.

The concept of change is difficult for many to embrace but nevertheless, it is important in our lives. Without any change, improvements cannot be made and lessons cannot be learned. As the famous Ghandi quote says, "Be the change you want to see in the world." It all starts with you.

Mar. 29, 2010 - The Bully Wears Heels, Chatelaine magazine, April 2010

"Workplace bullying is defined as deliberate and focused mistreatment of an employee" or "repeated, vexatious behaviour that erodes a worker's dignity." Reminiscent of school bullying, I was not really surprised to discover that the behaviours associated with bullying at school continue in the workplace - exclusion, isolation, rumours, defamation, and violent outbursts. When someone is bullied, the result may be depression, high blood pressure, anxiety, low self-esteem, lack of confidence or even post-traumatic stress disorder. It's difficult enough to deal with bullying as a child in school, let alone in an environment that should be professional. Telling "the teacher" about it won't help in this situation, especially if the bully is your boss. So what strategies can be used?

The article suggests spotting the signs, then making a record of incidents involving the bully as well as writing down health issues and related doctor's appointments. If you have cause for concern, report the incidents to a supervisor, the HR department or a union representative - someone you can trust to support you. Make sure to protect your reputation, financial security and personal relationships above all. If necessary, looking for a new job, in order to remove yourself from the situation, may alleviate the daily stress experienced in this environment. You shouldn't have to leave a job you love, but in the long run, another opportunity may be just what is needed to restore your confidence and peace of mind.

Mar. 28, 2010 - Modern Manners, Real Simple Magazine, April 2010

This article gives suggestions on how to deal with people who want too much of your time. The advice columnist calls them "Time Suckers" and makes them sound like leeches, sucking up your valuable free time. Although some people have hectic schedules, it is no reason to dismiss people who want to spend time with you. I still think it is important to make time for others. Perhaps, a friend needs support or just wants to spend quality time with you. Even though we are busy, if we do not make the time now, these friends will not be there for us in the future when we need them. What will happen when our children are grown and go out into the world to start their own lives? We'll need a friend to ask us out for lunch or to go to a movie together. If you see someone on the street and it's not a good time to talk, arrange to call each other at another time. If you don't have time for an extended visit, suggest a shorter get together; but, avoiding them entirely is not a healthy way of interacting socially. Since when should we be so choosy or stuck up to insinuate that we are the only ones who are busy or that our time is more valuable than anyone else's? So next time you decide to shun that "time sucker", think twice about the message you are sending. As the golden rule states, "Treat others the way you would like to be treated."

Mar. 27, 2010 - The Twelve by William Gladstone

Based on the Mayan prediction that the world will end on December 12, 2012, one can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of doom while reading the preface of this book. "There are ancient legends...all pointing to 2010 as the beginning or end of life as humanity has lived it...Christianity has long awaited the second coming that will be heralded by end-times of fire, as well as the promise of heaven on earth. The Jews wait for the coming of the Messiah, and many aboriginal spiritual traditions have anticipated the transformation of the planet in some magical way. All in or around this sacred year of 2012."

Despite knowing that these doom and gloom predictions are usually wrong, the preface immediately put me on edge. Many have predicted the eventual end of the world and it is certainly likely, although hopefully far in the future, that it will eventually happen. Movies with this "end of the world" theme have tended to hook audiences quite easily and there have certainly been many of them - The Day After Tomorrow, Deep Impact, I am Legend, Knowing and the recent 2012, which I have yet to see.

In this particular story, the birth of the main character Max is the "Big Bang" that is the focus of the first chapter. This is immediately followed by two contrasting chapters, The Death of Max Doff and Max Lives, both taking place in 1965. This suspenseful way of beginning the story immediately hooks the reader. How will Max's near death experience change his life and provide the opportunity to meet the 12 people who will determine the fate of the world? I am excited to read further to find out.

Mar. 26, 2010 - The Killing Way by Tony Hays

By combining a mystery with the historical genre, Tony Hays has created a book that is part CSI, part medieval epic. From Sherlock Holmes to Hercule Poirot, Columbo to Monk, detectives in books and movies are portrayed as having unique characteristics that endear them to the reader. In the tradition of quirky detectives, comes a medieval anti-hero named Malgwyn, a one-armed farmer and warrior, fallen on bad luck due to his perception of worthlessness since the loss of his arm in battle. His appointment by Arthur to solve the murder of a serving girl is a race against the clock to clear the magician Merlin before he must be executed. As the investigation continues, the stakes become higher and danger surrounds everyone involved. Can Malgwyn find the murderer and discover his motive before it is too late?

Mar. 25, 2010 - The Killing Way by Tony Hays

Although this novel is set during the time of King Arthur, it does not tell the story of his life and achievements. Instead, it uses characters and events from his time as a backdrop for a murder mystery. A young girl has been killed, the sister-in-law of Malgwyn, whose wife was ravaged and killed by the Saxons in a raid. Because of this, Malgwyn has become an alcoholic and has sent his only daughter away to be raised by his brother and his wife. His rage over the killing of his wife sent him on many raids with King Arthur. During one of the battles, he lost his arm and was saved by Arthur, who he now says he hates. Without his arm, he feels useless. He is not a real man because he can't fight, he can't farm, he can't do anything. Arthur sends him to Avalon to be healed and to be taught how to scribe so that he may feel useful. With the ability to read and write, the medical skills he picked up from the monks and his cunning strategy in battle, Malgwyn is a useful comrade.

This background information is important so that the reader understands why Arthur has chosen Malgwyn to solve the murder. Arthur is worried that his friend and mentor, Merlin, is being framed in order to discredit Arthur and prevent him from becoming the next Nostradamos or High King of Britain. Indeed, much of the evidence points to Merlin, but it is all circumstantial - a mutilated body, a missing heart, Merlin's knife. Malgwyn notices important details easily and is able to make inferences that will help him eventually solve this tragic mystery. But time is running out. The leaders of the consilium are all gathered for the vote so Malgwyn must work quickly to save not only Merlin but also Arthur's hopes of becoming High King.

Mar. 24, 2010 - The Killing Way by Tony Hays

The mythical character King Arthur has been the focus of many books over the years. Each time, the basic story remains the same but the details, settings or characters can be depicted quite differently. For example, Rosalind Miles has written a trilogy which is from Guinevere's point of view rather than Arthur's. Jack Whyte's Dream of Eagles series is from a more historical perspective and traces the history of King Arthur back to Roman times. Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy, beginning with The Crystal Cave, is from the point of view of the legendary magician. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley is from the perspective of several of the female characters, Gwenhwyfar, Viviane, and Morgause.

In this particular novel, a new character, Malgwyn, is the narrator of the story. He recounts the legend in flashback as he records his account of past times in a journal. Having reached the age of 90, he is remembering what happened during Arthur's rise to power and the part he played in it, for better or for worse. Many of the characters are names I recognize from other versions of the story - Guinevere, Gawain, Gaheris, Bedevere, and Mordred to name a few. What part Malgwyn plays and how the author weaves him into the legend of King Arthur, remains to be seen.