Journaling is a storytelling practice. Journal writing is also a self-inquiry practice, a reflective practice, a meaning making practice. Writing about our inner lives and outer worlds helps us make sense of our experiences, helps us heal, and helps us grow. Journal writing is a way of noticing and acknowledging the mystery, wonder, complexity ... Read More >>
On Remembrance day, we join the large turnout of witnesses to our ceremonies at the Cenotaph in Centennial Park on our island. It is always a moving ceremony-often in miserable driving rain. The parade includes veterans, legion members, the police force, fire department, search and rescue, cadets and Brownies all marching in step. There ... Read More >>
Meditation Musings by Peter Allan I’ve been meditating a lot about meditation. I think it’s fair to share that for the last number of years my meditation practice is tied to the 1st cup of morning coffee (see photo). My ritual begins by lifting the lid of the large Bialetti ... Read More >>
The Tale of the Traveling Group Journal By Peter Allan I’ve been thinking about one of the best jobs that I have ever had. This was in my mid 20’s (see photo above - Peter Allan, Tour Leader on a break in Aspen, Colorado, 1983), and yes this will relate to journaling. I was hired ... Read More >>
Pursuing Simultaneity by Peter Allan A story about journaling, connection and more. Have you ever noticed how sometimes with a person you have a deep connection with, that you seem to be thinking the same thoughts at the same time? Or your partner shares something and you finish her sentence? An old friend says I was just ... Read More >>
Whale Breath by Peter Allan In my previous role as a kayak guide for 15 years, I was fortunate to experience chance encounters with whales on the outer coast of Vancouver Island and also in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico. To be floating in a small watercraft designed many thousands of years ago to hunt sea ... Read More >>
I am a father to two sons. I still get a deep subtle rush of feeling when I hear myself called dad. I was, as the musician Ron Sexsmith sang, a late bloomer and our first child was born when I was 48 years of age.I always knew that I wanted to be a father ... Read More >>
Marking International Women’s Day today March 8th, is an opportunity to give tribute to women, to womankind, and recognize the other half of the sky. As a man I am writing this today as a form of honouring. "The other half of the sky" reference is derived from a dictum from the Chinese leader Mao Zedong's ... Read More >>
By Peter Allan I have been thinking about the power of flags recently and the subtle difference between flying a flag and waving a flag. I have been flying a lot of different flags lately and waving none. We all know the power of the image of our own national flag. The flag ceremony at ... Read More >>
How Conversations with Your Dog (or cat, or stuffy) Can Inspire Journaling By Peter Allan I was a reluctant dog owner at first. Since my childhood I have taken very little interest in domestic pets. In the past, observers would likely say of me that I was not an animal lover. I think this is ... Read More >>