Money can't buy you happiness - are you doing what you love?

Do you spend your days doing exactly what makes you feel fulfilled?

It's in those enlightenment books that we read, in Oprah's life classes and in many, many religions. But it’s something that is still hard for us to grasp. Life should not be spent chasing dollars, it should be spent living!

We spend our days shuffling back and forth to jobs that we hate, so that we can pay the mortgage on our dream home (which we never have the time to enjoy), own the fanciest phone (yet we ignore our friends’ calls because we’re always too busy) and drive the flashiest car (which takes premium gas which, of course, is just another expense). And even when we are in jobs that "we like" we count down the days until the weekend so that we an escape the office. 

Imagine what the world might be like if money, and all of the things that money can buy, didn’t matter. If we all had our basic necessities and there was plenty of everything for everyone. We could all do the things that we love all of the time and no one would have to be stuck in a job that they hate. 

But it's not only the fact that money is a necessity that makes this idea impossible. More importantly is the fact that in reality most of us don’t even know what our passion is, and way too many people go through their whole lives not realizing what it is that they love.  

My work is my passion – I do it because I love it and it excites me. Which doesn’t mean it’s never hard, but in general I enjoy what I do. And yet, some of the decisions I make are because of money – for example it’s hard not to think about ticket sales while working on marketing for a play. Even as I am able to do the thing I love daily, I realize that money has more of an effect on my choices than I realize.

Check out the video below and meet me in the comments section to let me know if you know what you would be doing if money were not an issue or if you are already doing it every day!

PS. The recording, and this concept, is not new. You’re hearing the voice of the late Alan Watts, a philosopher who was way ahead of his time. 

Pursue Your Passion

I saw this poem on YouTube and I just want to encourage you to pursue your passions!  I think it's important that don't take our talents to the grave!  We only have one life and in most cases, one chance to get it right. But you will live a happier more fulfilled life if you pursue your passions.  It's not always the easiest road, there will be rejection at times - in fact this video gives countless examples of some of the most successful people in the world who simply pursued their passions and never gave up!


Today what do you chose?  To live your passion? or your excuse?

TEDTalks - Touré Aalks About Dealing With Racial Slights

I love watching TEDTalks.  They can be so inspiring, uplifting, informative, funny....you name it!

If you've never heard about TEDTalks, they are a series of conferences delivered by people from round the world, on various subjects.  TED (Technology Entertainment and Design) was formed to dissect "ideas worth spreading."  It started in California, where the main conference is still held,  but now many major cities host their own TEDx Talks locally.  There's even a TEDWomen and TEDMED (that focusses on health and medicine.)

And for those who don't know, here's my TEDxToronto talk:

What I like about TedTalks is that you get a chance to hear from speakers who have wonderful ideas, and are very passionate about their platform.

I stumbled on this audition from Touré (writer and TV personality) for TED2013: The Young. The Wise. The Undiscovered.  He was speaking on how to deal with racial slights.  (I'll let you watch the video below to fully grasp his concept)

We've all come across our share of racial slights in our lives and it's how we deal with them that dictates our character.

My favorite part of his audition was when he said: "Look for existence proof role models: people went before us, who succeeded. So you're not dealing with the entire race on your shoulders as you try to get through something."

Also, if you have a chance, go through some of the TED and TEDx talks that are available on YouTube.  I guarantee you'll find something you'll enjoy!

Who knows, maybe this will inspire some of you to speak at a TEDx event near you!