Since March 2020, weve been in what has been called a housing crisis in Sarnia-Lambton (and the rest of the country). Before the pandemic, Sarnia-Lambton had 60 shelter beds and in the last year and a half weve seen that increase to 200 individuals that are living in our shelter system. It was just announced

Lambton County and Emergency Funds: Where Is The Money Really Going? Read More »

On June 19, around 930pm, my friend and I drove by Reggaes Caribbean Restaurant a new Jamaican restaurant on Christina St, and they had a full patio. The owner is from out of town and moved to Sarnia to set up this business with his family, and it was exciting to see a new restaurant

Reggaes Noise Complaints Exposes Sarnias Racism Read More »

I dont mindliftingthe weightof manyif its what we want It is lightwhen you are thereand you look me inthe eyesand see me It is easywhen we are together Not untilone day Imstill carrying it alland you are staring through mewondering why im doing it at alland you forgotits what we wanted

Last year in Downtown Sarnia, the Chamber of Commerce made a bold suggestion, that council approved, to shut down Christina St on the weekends during the summer. For the most part it was an excellent success. Restaurants let their patios flow onto the street, people had space to socially distance while they walked and explored

Turning Christina St Into Pedestrian-Only For Weekends Is A Good Idea Read More »

This is part of Fire! Ready! Aim! Series: Essays on Lessons Learned by an Enneagram Social 8w7 For the last five years Ive been meeting with an EMDR therapist. Its a type of therapy that has been primarily used for those with PTSD but can also be used for more micro-traumas. There are different criticisms

Lessons Im Trying To Learn: Dont Avoid Sadness Read More »

i dont want today to be about yesterdayi want more than memoriesi want futureshopevisionoptions when today is about tomorrow it brings life when all i have already has beenwhat is left? there is one thingmemoryprovidesthat sets the table fortomorrow gratitude for each momentand personand shared care there is another thingthat lurks behind gratitude loss and

Tomorrow Read More »

This is part of Fire! Ready! Aim! Series: Essays on Lessons Learned by an Enneagram Social 8w7 One of the books that really impacted me was Awareness by Anthony De Mello. He was an Indian Jesuit priest and psychotherapist who died in 1987. This book reads like you are eavesdropping on someone who just took

Being Bored And Not Paying Attention Read More »

This is part of Fire! Ready! Aim! Series: Essays on Lessons Learned by an Enneagram Social 8w7 From my point of view, I don’t think Eights are very judgmental (humility isn’t our strong suit either if you can tell). We tend to have an open mind about things and are quick to empathy if we

A Curious Instinct Read More »

This is part of Fire! Ready! Aim! Series: Essays on Lessons Learned by an Enneagram Social 8w7 The vice of an Eight is lust, or what Richard Rohr would call intensity. The ego tries to force life into feeling real and alive again and looks for any opportunity to do that. The vice of the

Lessons Im Trying To Learn: Life Wont End If I Dont Get Dopamine Read More »

This is part of Fire! Ready! Aim! Series: Essays on Lessons Learned by an Enneagram Social 8w7 Ever since I can remember, Ive been way too confident. I was in my early teens when my mother looked me in the eye and said, you know Nathan, there are so many great things about you, and

Lessons Im Trying To Learn: Confidence Is A Burden Read More »