To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. —Ralph Waldo Emerson​ [read more]

Thought you knew all there was to know about the true north strong and free? These surprising facts about Canada will have you seeing our beautiful country in a whole new way. Canada’s lowest recorded temperature is as cold as Mars One of the most common facts about Canada is that it can get pretty cold in the winter (anyone who’s ever had to chisel their car out of a block of ice in the morning knows this to be true). The average low for the month of January in Ottawa is... [read more]

Are you always running late?  Maybe you’re legitimately busy, but sometimes chronic lateness springs from other factors.  The danger is that being late all the time will give you a reputation for being undependable and/or careless. Take better control of your time by considering these psychological causes for being constantly behind schedule: Adrenalin.  For some people, rushing to every meeting and event provides excitement.  If you’re enjoying the chase... [read more]

Here’s another reason to warn adolescents about the dangers of drinking:  According to a report by the American Medical Association, the brain appears to be  especially susceptible to alcohol damage during a person’s high school and college years.  While the brain physically stops growing when a person reaches the age of five, its cells continue to refine and realign themselves until a person is 20 years old. The late-teen/early adulthood period is recognized as... [read more]

According to numerous interviews with police and fire departments, photo albums are the number one possession that people regret losing in a flood or fire.  The professionals recommend putting photo negatives or CDs in a watertight envelope and placing it in a fireproof box, or storing the material offsite – in a safe deposit box, for example.  If you’re using an online storage system it’s still a good idea to backup all your files on CDs or a flash drive and then... [read more]