Dec 1, 2012

It’s all in the stars by Mac McLaughlin • I guess we’re holding our collective breath as we ponder the significance of the much-anticipated apocalyptic date of December 21, 2012. The Mayan calendar ends on that date and all kinds of predictions have sprung up. Some say the world will end and others believe Armageddon is in the works. Some chime in with...

by Joseph Roberts • Gift giving on your mind? Mulling over your options for the season? There are many unique ways to give. Gifts that heal or bring the recipient into a deeper relationship with themselves, such as seminars, workshops, personal coaching, and healing sessions, are thoroughly appreciated. Consider a gift that supports our local community...

Dec 1, 2012

embracing uncertainty in vaccine policy DRUG BUST by Alan Cassels • The people’s briefing note on prescription drugs I have to make an admission: I’m somewhat of a coward in that I’m not particularly crazy about getting in the middle of a war. That’s why I don’t really like writing about vaccines; there are few things in healthcare as polarizing,...

Dec 1, 2012

the key to increasing it by Claire Maisonneuve, MA • I have had the privilege in my life of knowing a few people with a deep sense of self-worth and what I saw was they all had something in common, in their relationship to others and themselves – a sincere and genuine kindness, a readiness to be of service and a lack of negative judgments. ...

by Zamir Dhanji • It is possible that the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community – a community practising understanding and loving kindness, a community practising mindful living. This may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of the earth.– Thich Nhat Hanh In Africa there is a...

Dec 1, 2012

SCIENCE MATTERS by David Suzuki • When I canoe or hike along the edge of lakes or oceans and see trees that seem to be growing out of rock faces, I am blown away. How do they do it? Think about a seed. Once it lands, it’s stuck. It can’t move to find better soil, moisture or sunlight. It’s able to create every part of itself to grow and reproduce. After...

Dec 1, 2012

FILMS WORTH WATCHING by Robert Alstead • There’s a point early on in off-beat romcom Silver Linings Playbook where the protagonist, Pat, who has been feverishly reading Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell To Arms through the night, picks up the book in a fit of rage and hurls it straight through the top floor window of his parents’ house. It lands with a slap...

Dec 1, 2012

UNIVERSE WITHIN by Gwen Randall-Young • Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive. – The Compassionate Life, the Dalai Lama At the same time the media was flooded with stories about teen suicide as a result of bullying, I had a mom bring in her seven-year-old daughter to talk about friends. It seems her best...

Dec 1, 2012

A NEW EARTH by Eckhart Tolle • To read Eckhart Tolle’s latest column, please see the current print edition of Common Ground For copyright reasons, we are authorized to publish this column in our print version only. More than 1/4 million people read Common Ground every month! Pick up your copy today. This article appeared in the DECEMBER 2012 print...

Dec 1, 2012

ON THE GARDEN PATH by Carolyn Herriot • On September 10, 1939, Canada joined World War II to fight against Germany. By the end of the war in 1945, one out of 10 (1.1 million) Canadian citizens would have served in military uniform and Canada would possess the fourth largest air force and the third largest naval surface fleet in the world. As...

Dec 1, 2012

NUTRISPEAK by Vesanto Melina MS, RD • What comes to mind when you think of holiday meals? Gravy? The aroma of sage and other herbs? Being so stuffed you require a forklift to get up from the chair after dinner? It is appealing to know we can celebrate with those we love and have healthful fare and not overindulge to the point of discomfort. In last...

Dec 1, 2012

by Mac McLaughlin • Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra Scorpio | Sagitarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces Happy New Year! Out with the old and in with the new is a mantra we’re all familiar with. Now, we are determined to stick to our New Year’s resolutions, which, of course, are generally totally forgotten by early February. Things...

Dec 1, 2012

La Dolce Vita article by Alastair Gregor • “A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!” With these words from O Holy Night, I ask you this season to release all the conditioning you have learned, discharge all notions of control and instead find freedom and...