Lebanon is not exactly a hopping wine destination. However as a former French colony, like Algeria, it does produce a limited amount of wine. Two of its wines are available at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Château Ksara is perhaps one of the best-known labels at least here in Canada. And not surprisingly weContinue reading “The Lonely Lebanese; Château Ksara”
Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)
Beyond Me Mindfulness: What is it?
After practicing mindfulness over the past few years I am coming to the conclusion that much of it is about the self. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a technique used to control and manage your stress. Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is about managing psychiatric issues one may have. It seems to be aContinue reading “Beyond Me Mindfulness: What is it?”
Beyond Me Mindfulness: Principles
While politics are often driven by ideologies human life is guided by principles or a personal ideology if you like. Your principles can be misguided and fallacious or they can be evil and entirely selfish somewhat like former President Donald Trump where his principles were staying in power and threatening and bullying those who haveContinue reading “Beyond Me Mindfulness: Principles”
Mindfulness: Compassion as a key foundation and compassion vs. empathy
Practitioners of mindfulness soon realize compassion is a key component of mindfulness. There is self-compassion and compassion for others. If you can’t be compassionate with yourself how can you be compassionate to others? In fact there are even specialized meditations that focus on compassion. I would argue if you can’t exercise compassion for yourself youContinue reading “Mindfulness: Compassion as a key foundation and compassion vs. empathy”
Beyond Me Mindfulness; “Service”
Service means a giving of yourself to others for the purpose of helping their purpose and goals. The mere fact you are giving yourself immediately enables you to traverse the “me” barrier. One hopes humans have the ability to determine if the service is for a worthy cause. In this regard there are bad purposesContinue reading “Beyond Me Mindfulness; “Service””
Beyond Me Mindfulness: Delight
Do you notice when you are delighted much of your anger, frustration, jealously and all sorts of bad emotions get shunted aside. Delight is a powerful tool. It is rather up to you how you want to feel. Of course, you can’t be like a zombie with glazed eyes walking about in a state ofContinue reading “Beyond Me Mindfulness: Delight”
Poetry Corner: “Donald J. Trump: The Far Right Joan of Arc”
Donald J. Trump: The Far-Right Joan of Arc It could be very well true that Trump is responsible for the attempted overthrowof the United States Government or at least inciting a riotwhatever the case history will label him a bumbling foolperhaps even a Russian toolto the far-right in anticipation of his command they started toContinue reading “Poetry Corner: “Donald J. Trump: The Far Right Joan of Arc””
Poetry Corner: “DDR (East Germany) Circus Memories
DDR (East German Democratic Republic) Circus Memories My feelings debased on the circus ringsubordinated to DDR beer breath mouthssoon the master with the whip and the back ripping brushbut I’ll look so prettyshiny fur and gleaming coat They came to see the untamed beastruffian and uncouth champion of the jungleI attempt a roarthe tears chokeiContinue reading “Poetry Corner: “DDR (East Germany) Circus Memories”
“Anna”: Greek Short Film Has You Wondering Who Anna is?
Poor Papou ( translated in English as grandfather), Michalis Maratheftis, (Spiros Stavrinides) is an aged Greek famer apparently in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s. Being unable to care for himself his family has hired Maria (Imee Lysandrou), a Filipina domestic, as live-in caregiver. Papou is often in an agitated state as Alzheimer’s patients can be.Continue reading ““Anna”: Greek Short Film Has You Wondering Who Anna is?”
Ontario Extends Lockdown….yet again
NEWS RELEASE Ontario Extending Stay-at-Home Order across Most of the Province to Save Lives Public Health Units to Gradually Return to the COVID-19 Response Framework February 8, 2021 Office of the Premier Table of Contents Content Quick Facts Additional Resources Related Topics TORONTO — In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the governmentContinue reading “Ontario Extends Lockdown….yet again”
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 