Culture

Modern New Age: Cottage Inspiration

Modern Cottage Inspiration 

Nature is my Church where the soul truly feels at home, I’m a fan of the city grew up in big urban environments but nothing feels more natural to me than being surrounded by awesome trees, hiking trails and lakes. I’ve been listening and reading a lot of  personal development and motivational authors such as Brian Tracey, Alana Watts, and my personal favorite James Allen this year. As a result of this growth I’ve re-engineered my personal definition of success, happiness and true contentment. 

 I’ve been researching and looking at cottage lots in Ontario and they are reasonably priced between $7,000 – $20,000 for over an acre of land. The container-ship style of Cottage-Home has really caught my eye, I think it is awesome. The name of the project below was called Containers of Hope I could not agree more with name. 

The Architect of this development is Benjamin Garcia Saxe. Designed and built for under $45K! 

The Morning Vow

 

The following passage is from the Book titled The Carpenter. I read an article by Geoffrey James via Inc Magazine a few months ago and have found it very inspirational. Each morning I read the passage below and can’t help but feel the power of positive thought when reciting it.  I’ve wanted to share this for sometime however have been so busy the last few months I have not gotten the chance until now. I hope you might find it empowering and it has as positive affect on you as it has for me. 

positive-thinking-b

Western Mission Complete

Ottawa_-_ON_-_Parliament_Hill

Photo Credits: Wikipedia

Today is Canada Day, I feel it is very appropriate to deliver this post on the Nations birthday, I feel more nationalistic than ever before. Like many of my peers and friends who live and work in the major urban centers of our country like Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Halifax the focus today is all about uniting under one flag, one country, and one land. It is a time when provincial rivirialies and regionalism is set aside and we celebrate the amazing opportunities, freedom and beauty our country has to offer the world, we are an example of how modern civil society should function,where democracy and liberty reign as the core values of who we are as a people, “True North Strong and Free!”

I left Ottawa, Ontario roughly  a year ago today. I went to discover and understand the depths of the Canadian Energy sector, a business move that turned extremely personal. My work in the office led me into the field, a strategic and rational decision considering the reality of the economic landscape of Ontario. I wanted to know what was so special about Alberta it was a tremendously powerful learning opportunity and I took advantage with the support of my friends, family and loved ones. Living in the Nation’s Capital you really start to feel a sense of Nationalism, and although we are a Civic Nation unlike our American cousins to the south, I wanted to know more about Canada’s deep wealth of energy that was stored beneath the ground, I knew that if I was going to truly become an expert on the topic I should have the necessary credentials, experience, and knowledge to truly understand what is going on and that is why I choose the Trade of Pipefitting, a trade that ranked a respectable 23 out of 50 top jobs in Canada according to Canadian Business Magazine 2013 survey.  I had simple questions such as; are the “Oil Sands” developments in Fort McMurray an evil place of greed, deceit and environmental destruction? Or a wonder of human ingenuity, engineering, and scientific discovery?  The answer is personal depending on your cultural learned values and or perspective but having been on the ground I feel Canada should be extremely proud of it’s responsible energy development. The opportunities that will be available for individuals who take personal responsibility for their own welfare and diversify their labour skill set to enhance their standard of living especially over the next 30 years is incredible.  Alberta is expected to grow from a province of 4M today into 7M+ by 2050, that is still less than the population of the Greater Toronto Area alone, however an incredible influx of people nonetheless which will drive further growth and business in many different sectors.  

Emotional Freedom and The Self

“If you truly want to be happy in life, you should tie it to a goal not to people or objects” – Alberta Einstein

Peace in Oneself 

Who are you? A simple question that many find difficult to answer, our identities can be tied to many different things, in the field of entrepreneurship where ideas are encouraged, the “idea”, “concept” or outside projection can begin to influence who a person truly is. The key to overcoming being lost in any journey is to find a true sense of inner peace and self fulfillment within one’s own being. When you tie your happiness to an individual or object you will find that this feeling of happiness or sadness (emotion) is impermanent. When you tie your happiness to any independent source outside yourself, you have thus lost yourself and will in turn not be able to genuinely connect with other people. In business, trades, life in general it is all about relationships no matter the audience. I am starting to find that all too often the most important relationship that matter the most is ignored. This is the relationship within oneself, something that would seem elementary but that is easily forgotten especially when focused on impermanent ideas and concepts. 

Quiet Space and Reflection

Quiet Space and Reflection 

In my heart I hear the beat of the plains, the vast wild space that enlightened my heart to the possibilities and endless opportunities that live within the open heart. Quite spaces where an individual can reflect on what is most important in life, not business, politics, or a new idea but the relationships that define and help make us who we are. It is almost one full year of quiet spaces and reflection, and the loss of love burns the heart. However more than ever it is important to sink deep into thought to acknowledge and protect the best of what was lost. – Jerome L. Downey, April 2014

     

PeaceCountry

A Real Love Story, Alana & Jerome

A Personal Love Letter, By: Alana Sharpe, to Jerome Downey, training in North West Alberta.

Love is a powerful emotion, and opposites attract.

Winter Wonderland

JFK 50 Years Later: America Remembers

Kennedy, “Inaugural Address,” Speech Text

Kennedy, “Inaugural Address,” Speech Text

 

JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY, INAUGURAL ADDRESS (20 JANUARY 1961)

[2] We observe today not a victory

John_F__Kennedy_Wallpaper_by_OckGal of party but a celebration of freedom–symbolizing an end as well as a beginning–signifying renewal as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.

[3] The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe–the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.

[4] We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans–born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage–and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

[5] Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

A Brotherhood Of Hard Workers

Boilermaker

For more information viisit www.boilermakers.org

Sometimes I feel that modern digital technology has made our society forget about the original and real innovators in our time. Understanding the scope and importance of traditional trades is important to the long term stability, strength and integrity of our modern domestic city infrastructures.

Computers assist and aid in productivity of our work  there is zero debate about that, however in the end we need strong men and women to execute and build the things we dream of. Manpower is something that can’t be replaced no matter how much technologist try.

What is a Boilermaker?

Many boilermakers are employed in repairing, repiping, and re-tubing commercial steam and hot water boilers used for heating and domestic hot water in commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings. Sometimes these boilers are referred to as pressure vessels. Generally, a pressure vessel is a storage tank or vessel that has been designed to operate at pressures above 15 p.s.i.g. The two main tasks of boilermakers involve using oxy-acetylene gas torch sets to cut or gouge steel plate and tubes, followed by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), or gas metal arc welding (GMAW) to attach and mend the cut sections of tubes and steel plates. 

Funny But Important Political Commentary

Distinguished_gentleman

I came across  gold the other night,  The Distinguished Gentlemen had me in stitches  I thought it was such a great comedic social political commentary almost to good to believe. I was 7 years old when this movie hit the theatres back in 1992 way to young at the time to appreciate its whit and comedic flare.  However I am happy I can watch it now and don’t have to dig for a VHS or DVD copy.  Thank you Google and YouTube your the best! 

Plot 

A Florida con man uses the passing of the long time Congressman from his district who he just happens to share a name with, to get elected to his version of paradise, Congress, where the money flows from lobbyists. But soon he learns the nature of the game and decides to fight back the only way he knows how, with a con.

 

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNE4_L2rKNk”]

Canadian Health Report: Intimate Partner Abuse Against Men

Introduction

Domestic abuse of women has been in the public eye for many years. Many studies have examined its nature and extent, shelters for abused women have been set up, and legislation and police charging policies have evolved in response to the growing appreciation of the extent of the problem. The extent of the comparable issue of domestic abuse of men is not as well known and understood by the general public. However, recent findings have become available that contribute to a better understanding of domestic or intimate partner abuse of men.domestic-violence-300a-090610

Statistics Canada first collected data on intimate partner abuse of both men and women through its 1999 General Social Survey (GSS). Respondents were asked 10 questions concerning abuse by their current and/or previous spouses and common-law partners during the 12-month and 5-year periods preceding the telephone interview.1 According to their responses, almost equal proportions of men and women (7% and 8% respectively) had been the victims of intimate partner physical and psychological abuse (18% and 19% respectively). These findings were consistent with several earlier studies which reported equal rates of abuse by women and men in intimate relationships.2-16

Some scholars suggest that the motives for intimate partner abuse against men by women may differ from those for abuse against women by men,17 and that women suffer more severe injuries than men.18 Nonetheless, the occurrence of abuse by women against men, and its consequences, warrant attention. It is important for the victims of abuse, whether they be men or women, to know that they are not alone –that is, that such experience is not unique to their personal situation. It is also important for the perpetrators of intimate partner abuse – men or women – to recognize that violence in any form is both morally and legally wrong.