#harleenkaurdhillon — Public Fediverse posts

EDITOR’S NOTE: COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION AMID TIMES OF DREAD

In April, I had the pleasure of attending the launch of The Walldog, a new local online outlet. This is a critical arts project, one that focuses on the creation of cultural memory and imagination for the future. 

“The Walldog reads public art, ghost signs, murals, textiles, protest aesthetics, and vernacular design as openings into potential histories and yet-to-be-imagined futures, […]

PAUL DROTOS’ GUIDE FOR YOUR IMPROV JOURNEY

Your Improv Journey is Paul Drotos’ treatise meant for beginners, veterans and randos. It is an easy read and is relevant even when considering teamwork, community and art in general.   

Improv is an art form where actors create scenes on the spot. In a show, troupes will usually have games they play with varying levels of audience input.   

When the scene ends, that is the end of […]

PAUL DROTOS’ GUIDE FOR YOUR IMPROV JOURNEY

Your Improv Journey is Paul Drotos’ treatise meant for beginners, veterans and randos. It is an easy read and is relevant even when considering teamwork, community and art in general.   

Improv is an art form where actors create scenes on the spot. In a show, troupes will usually have games they play with varying levels of audience input.   

When the scene ends, that is the end of […]

PAUL DROTOS’ GUIDE FOR YOUR IMPROV JOURNEY

Your Improv Journey is Paul Drotos’ treatise meant for beginners, veterans and randos. It is an easy read and is relevant even when considering teamwork, community and art in general.   

Improv is an art form where actors create scenes on the spot. In a show, troupes will usually have games they play with varying levels of audience input.   

When the scene ends, that is the end of […]

PAUL DROTOS’ GUIDE FOR YOUR IMPROV JOURNEY

Your Improv Journey is Paul Drotos’ treatise meant for beginners, veterans and randos. It is an easy read and is relevant even when considering teamwork, community and art in general.   

Improv is an art form where actors create scenes on the spot. In a show, troupes will usually have games they play with varying levels of audience input.   

When the scene ends, that is the end of […]

PAUL DROTOS’ GUIDE FOR YOUR IMPROV JOURNEY

Your Improv Journey is Paul Drotos’ treatise meant for beginners, veterans and randos. It is an easy read and is relevant even when considering teamwork, community and art in general.   

Improv is an art form where actors create scenes on the spot. In a show, troupes will usually have games they play with varying levels of audience input.   

When the scene ends, that is the end of […]

EDITOR’S NOTE: THE WORLD IS BURNING, BUT WE DANCE

I think we can all agree to some extent—the world is burning. Or, at least, it seems like it.   

I am of the opinion that it has always been on fire, the flames just get wilder or tamer at different times in different generations. But we continue to burn and then we die.  

Now, the flames are getting wilder. So many people following world news are stressed about World War 3, Ford has made massive drawbacks to OSAP and here in the region, we have to be concerned about our water supply in the region and the housing crisis is still ongoing and, and, and…  

On top of that, there are the Epstein Files. I have been going out of my way to avoid too much information about them at once—it is simply too much for me to process. I know that sounds awful coming from a journalist, but I am also a person and the things the people in those files will not change whether I read them now or later, they will just traumatize me more all at once.   

I think over the last few years, the Epstein Files had become a bit of a joke. It was a meme for years and, now that they have been released, their heavily redacted nature is a joke in and of itself. Why release them at all if you’re going to keep protecting the perpetrators?   

So, the world sucks and I don’t know what to do about it.  

Knowing more and learning more doesn’t seem to be helping, it seems to just be increasing this feeling of helplessness—look at the leaders of our world, look what they did, look at the lack of consequences, the depths of monstrous depravity. What can we even do anymore?   

The thing about knowledge is that it is useful and necessary, but it can add to the feeling of helplessness. If you don’t know anything, you are at a disadvantage; if you have incomplete knowledge, you know enough to guess at what to be afraid of. The latter is still more useful than the former.   

We must continue to learn. This is important. This is also your world, when it feels like you have no agency, you must remind yourself that you do, that little actions add up to major results; and also support the people around you.   

I am terrified—as are many of the people I have spoken to. But this existential dread is not unique to our time or generation. We live in the worst kind of time—an interesting one. For many of us, our worldviews are being altered. In the words of Jessi, our creative director, “the world is rotten to the core”.   

Negative things are hard to measure. That is, the absence of something is difficult to measure since you cannot reliably say how much of it there would have been in other situations. Still, it is logical to work toward the world you want, because doing the opposite will work against you.   

All of these awful things that are happening are part of our reality, but in order to survive mentally, we must also focus on the good and beautiful things. As much as the world sucks right now and we are bombarded with all the terrible things, there are good and beautiful things. They exist, they are part of our reality as much as the terrible things.   

The good and beautiful things, a sense of whimsy to contrast the despair keep me sane. But I will not pretend to have all the answers.   

This is not the best timeline. I also hope it’s not the worst one.   

We have this little spot in the middle of the vastness, we do our best in our little spot in the middle of the vastness. The flames are getting hotter, but we will dance around them and we will make it through.   

MINI-DOSES OF AWE AND WONDER

A staycation is a vacation you can take in your home country, rather than abroad. For the sake of this piece and my wallet, I’ll be focusing on staying in your own city or, better yet, your own home.   

These mini vacations are useful because they’re easier on the budget but also help you learn about your own community.  

As you explore your city, you can create more relationships that flow into your everyday life and deepen your connection to the place that you live. Staycations are also much easier to plan, considering you don’t have to worry about accommodations, flights, trains, packing, etc.   

Like all vacations, a staycation requires deviation from your regularly scheduled programming. If you can, empty your schedule in advance—take a couple days off work or have a weekend where you have no other plans. I will sit down with a monthly and weekly calendar to help me visualize. I also try to set aside at least three days because I tend to be restless the first day that I deviate from my regular work, so I need some time to get into a more relaxed mindset.   

Then, consider what you need. Are you tired of monotony and want to add something interesting to your life? Or are you just tired and need some rest. Pay attention to your body and your thoughts in the days leading up to your time off.   

The answer is usually not so complicated. For example, if you find yourself bored at mealtimes, you might want to explore more food options either at home or outside. If you keep wishing that everyone would leave you alone, then you probably need some rest and alone time.   

Doing a brain dump of all the thoughts you have (especially all your complaints) can help with understanding the stressors of your life, which might change the type of staycation you choose to take.   

Now, you can decide what it is that you need in a staycation. Do you need more time with friends or time alone? Do you want to meet new people or deepen the connections you may have been neglecting? Does exploration and social time rejuvenate or exhaust you?   

Considering these questions can help you decide whether you want to spend your staycation exploring your city or exploring your home.   

If you choose the former, it is possible to explore your surroundings spontaneously. Choose a starting point—e.g. downtown Kitchener or brunch at your favourite cafe—then let the day take you where it will. I especially like doing this with friends, since I am not very adventurous.   

Another method is to make a list of all the places you either never get a chance to go back to, or that you wanted to explore, but never got a chance. This could be cute cafes (cafe-hopping!), bookstores, parks, trails or any number of places. What has caught your attention before, but you weren’t able to go back to it?  

Other people’s houses can also be on that list. So many social plans rely on us going out, but visiting a friend in their own space can be just as fun. It also means another way of learning more about them, especially if this is a new friend.   

Finally, a staycation can happen in the confines of your own home. This is my personal favourite and is the most versatile type of staycation.   

I like to start by deep cleaning my spaces, doing my laundry and dusting, maybe even rearranging some furniture. Freshening up your space also helps refresh your mind.   

Now, I know that most people are not like me. Where I would include cleaning and reorganizing as part of my vacation, but for others, it would be considered work. If you’re in the latter group, I would suggest doing all the cleaning and chores as preparation for your staycation.   

Then, the world (or your house or your room) is your oyster. Exploring your home can take many forms—you can go through all those old photos and clothes and declutter, or just bask in the nostalgia. Go shopping in different rooms to change things around, create new outfits from all your clothes, bust out the puzzle you never got to do or the art supplies you haven’t used in the two years since you bought them.   

The goal is to rest, but also to see your own space in a new light. What is your house like when you’re usually not home? For example, over quarantine, I discovered that the leaves of the tree in our backyard cast shadows on my wall during sunset and to this day, that is one of my favourite aspects of my room. It is incredibly calming to watch the shadows of those leaves swaying while I’m not doing anything in particular.   

Some other things I like finding are hiding places, places to sit that you haven’t thought of before, what space is the most relaxing, what seat is the most comfortable. Forget about everything you know about your space, and rediscover how charming a place you live in.   

If that’s too much work, just lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. That’s super fun.   

My favourite thing about staycations is that they don’t have to end. That new cafe you liked, you can revisit as often as you like. You can keep making the new dish you discovered, you can go back to the bookstore you fell in love with, you can spend 10 minutes lying there and watching the leaves swaying on the wall when you need to.   

A staycation is a reminder to take a step back, look at your life and your space from a fresh perspective, and maintain a sense of awe in the regular, the common and the everyday. 

MINI-DOSES OF AWE AND WONDER

A staycation is a vacation you can take in your home country, rather than abroad. For the sake of this piece and my wallet, I’ll be focusing on staying in your own city or, better yet, your own home.   

These mini vacations are useful because they’re easier on the budget but also help you learn about your own community.  

As you explore your city, you can create more relationships that flow into your everyday life and deepen your connection to the place that you live. Staycations are also much easier to plan, considering you don’t have to worry about accommodations, flights, trains, packing, etc.   

Like all vacations, a staycation requires deviation from your regularly scheduled programming. If you can, empty your schedule in advance—take a couple days off work or have a weekend where you have no other plans. I will sit down with a monthly and weekly calendar to help me visualize. I also try to set aside at least three days because I tend to be restless the first day that I deviate from my regular work, so I need some time to get into a more relaxed mindset.   

Then, consider what you need. Are you tired of monotony and want to add something interesting to your life? Or are you just tired and need some rest. Pay attention to your body and your thoughts in the days leading up to your time off.   

The answer is usually not so complicated. For example, if you find yourself bored at mealtimes, you might want to explore more food options either at home or outside. If you keep wishing that everyone would leave you alone, then you probably need some rest and alone time.   

Doing a brain dump of all the thoughts you have (especially all your complaints) can help with understanding the stressors of your life, which might change the type of staycation you choose to take.   

Now, you can decide what it is that you need in a staycation. Do you need more time with friends or time alone? Do you want to meet new people or deepen the connections you may have been neglecting? Does exploration and social time rejuvenate or exhaust you?   

Considering these questions can help you decide whether you want to spend your staycation exploring your city or exploring your home.   

If you choose the former, it is possible to explore your surroundings spontaneously. Choose a starting point—e.g. downtown Kitchener or brunch at your favourite cafe—then let the day take you where it will. I especially like doing this with friends, since I am not very adventurous.   

Another method is to make a list of all the places you either never get a chance to go back to, or that you wanted to explore, but never got a chance. This could be cute cafes (cafe-hopping!), bookstores, parks, trails or any number of places. What has caught your attention before, but you weren’t able to go back to it?  

Other people’s houses can also be on that list. So many social plans rely on us going out, but visiting a friend in their own space can be just as fun. It also means another way of learning more about them, especially if this is a new friend.   

Finally, a staycation can happen in the confines of your own home. This is my personal favourite and is the most versatile type of staycation.   

I like to start by deep cleaning my spaces, doing my laundry and dusting, maybe even rearranging some furniture. Freshening up your space also helps refresh your mind.   

Now, I know that most people are not like me. Where I would include cleaning and reorganizing as part of my vacation, but for others, it would be considered work. If you’re in the latter group, I would suggest doing all the cleaning and chores as preparation for your staycation.   

Then, the world (or your house or your room) is your oyster. Exploring your home can take many forms—you can go through all those old photos and clothes and declutter, or just bask in the nostalgia. Go shopping in different rooms to change things around, create new outfits from all your clothes, bust out the puzzle you never got to do or the art supplies you haven’t used in the two years since you bought them.   

The goal is to rest, but also to see your own space in a new light. What is your house like when you’re usually not home? For example, over quarantine, I discovered that the leaves of the tree in our backyard cast shadows on my wall during sunset and to this day, that is one of my favourite aspects of my room. It is incredibly calming to watch the shadows of those leaves swaying while I’m not doing anything in particular.   

Some other things I like finding are hiding places, places to sit that you haven’t thought of before, what space is the most relaxing, what seat is the most comfortable. Forget about everything you know about your space, and rediscover how charming a place you live in.   

If that’s too much work, just lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. That’s super fun.   

My favourite thing about staycations is that they don’t have to end. That new cafe you liked, you can revisit as often as you like. You can keep making the new dish you discovered, you can go back to the bookstore you fell in love with, you can spend 10 minutes lying there and watching the leaves swaying on the wall when you need to.   

A staycation is a reminder to take a step back, look at your life and your space from a fresh perspective, and maintain a sense of awe in the regular, the common and the everyday. 

MINI-DOSES OF AWE AND WONDER

A staycation is a vacation you can take in your home country, rather than abroad. For the sake of this piece and my wallet, I’ll be focusing on staying in your own city or, better yet, your own home.   

These mini vacations are useful because they’re easier on the budget but also help you learn about your own community.  

As you explore your city, you can create more relationships that flow into your everyday life and deepen your connection to the place that you live. Staycations are also much easier to plan, considering you don’t have to worry about accommodations, flights, trains, packing, etc.   

Like all vacations, a staycation requires deviation from your regularly scheduled programming. If you can, empty your schedule in advance—take a couple days off work or have a weekend where you have no other plans. I will sit down with a monthly and weekly calendar to help me visualize. I also try to set aside at least three days because I tend to be restless the first day that I deviate from my regular work, so I need some time to get into a more relaxed mindset.   

Then, consider what you need. Are you tired of monotony and want to add something interesting to your life? Or are you just tired and need some rest. Pay attention to your body and your thoughts in the days leading up to your time off.   

The answer is usually not so complicated. For example, if you find yourself bored at mealtimes, you might want to explore more food options either at home or outside. If you keep wishing that everyone would leave you alone, then you probably need some rest and alone time.   

Doing a brain dump of all the thoughts you have (especially all your complaints) can help with understanding the stressors of your life, which might change the type of staycation you choose to take.   

Now, you can decide what it is that you need in a staycation. Do you need more time with friends or time alone? Do you want to meet new people or deepen the connections you may have been neglecting? Does exploration and social time rejuvenate or exhaust you?   

Considering these questions can help you decide whether you want to spend your staycation exploring your city or exploring your home.   

If you choose the former, it is possible to explore your surroundings spontaneously. Choose a starting point—e.g. downtown Kitchener or brunch at your favourite cafe—then let the day take you where it will. I especially like doing this with friends, since I am not very adventurous.   

Another method is to make a list of all the places you either never get a chance to go back to, or that you wanted to explore, but never got a chance. This could be cute cafes (cafe-hopping!), bookstores, parks, trails or any number of places. What has caught your attention before, but you weren’t able to go back to it?  

Other people’s houses can also be on that list. So many social plans rely on us going out, but visiting a friend in their own space can be just as fun. It also means another way of learning more about them, especially if this is a new friend.   

Finally, a staycation can happen in the confines of your own home. This is my personal favourite and is the most versatile type of staycation.   

I like to start by deep cleaning my spaces, doing my laundry and dusting, maybe even rearranging some furniture. Freshening up your space also helps refresh your mind.   

Now, I know that most people are not like me. Where I would include cleaning and reorganizing as part of my vacation, but for others, it would be considered work. If you’re in the latter group, I would suggest doing all the cleaning and chores as preparation for your staycation.   

Then, the world (or your house or your room) is your oyster. Exploring your home can take many forms—you can go through all those old photos and clothes and declutter, or just bask in the nostalgia. Go shopping in different rooms to change things around, create new outfits from all your clothes, bust out the puzzle you never got to do or the art supplies you haven’t used in the two years since you bought them.   

The goal is to rest, but also to see your own space in a new light. What is your house like when you’re usually not home? For example, over quarantine, I discovered that the leaves of the tree in our backyard cast shadows on my wall during sunset and to this day, that is one of my favourite aspects of my room. It is incredibly calming to watch the shadows of those leaves swaying while I’m not doing anything in particular.   

Some other things I like finding are hiding places, places to sit that you haven’t thought of before, what space is the most relaxing, what seat is the most comfortable. Forget about everything you know about your space, and rediscover how charming a place you live in.   

If that’s too much work, just lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. That’s super fun.   

My favourite thing about staycations is that they don’t have to end. That new cafe you liked, you can revisit as often as you like. You can keep making the new dish you discovered, you can go back to the bookstore you fell in love with, you can spend 10 minutes lying there and watching the leaves swaying on the wall when you need to.   

A staycation is a reminder to take a step back, look at your life and your space from a fresh perspective, and maintain a sense of awe in the regular, the common and the everyday. 

MINI-DOSES OF AWE AND WONDER

A staycation is a vacation you can take in your home country, rather than abroad. For the sake of this piece and my wallet, I’ll be focusing on staying in your own city or, better yet, your own home.   

These mini vacations are useful because they’re easier on the budget but also help you learn about your own community.  

As you explore your city, you can create more relationships that flow into your everyday life and deepen your connection to the place that you live. Staycations are also much easier to plan, considering you don’t have to worry about accommodations, flights, trains, packing, etc.   

Like all vacations, a staycation requires deviation from your regularly scheduled programming. If you can, empty your schedule in advance—take a couple days off work or have a weekend where you have no other plans. I will sit down with a monthly and weekly calendar to help me visualize. I also try to set aside at least three days because I tend to be restless the first day that I deviate from my regular work, so I need some time to get into a more relaxed mindset.   

Then, consider what you need. Are you tired of monotony and want to add something interesting to your life? Or are you just tired and need some rest. Pay attention to your body and your thoughts in the days leading up to your time off.   

The answer is usually not so complicated. For example, if you find yourself bored at mealtimes, you might want to explore more food options either at home or outside. If you keep wishing that everyone would leave you alone, then you probably need some rest and alone time.   

Doing a brain dump of all the thoughts you have (especially all your complaints) can help with understanding the stressors of your life, which might change the type of staycation you choose to take.   

Now, you can decide what it is that you need in a staycation. Do you need more time with friends or time alone? Do you want to meet new people or deepen the connections you may have been neglecting? Does exploration and social time rejuvenate or exhaust you?   

Considering these questions can help you decide whether you want to spend your staycation exploring your city or exploring your home.   

If you choose the former, it is possible to explore your surroundings spontaneously. Choose a starting point—e.g. downtown Kitchener or brunch at your favourite cafe—then let the day take you where it will. I especially like doing this with friends, since I am not very adventurous.   

Another method is to make a list of all the places you either never get a chance to go back to, or that you wanted to explore, but never got a chance. This could be cute cafes (cafe-hopping!), bookstores, parks, trails or any number of places. What has caught your attention before, but you weren’t able to go back to it?  

Other people’s houses can also be on that list. So many social plans rely on us going out, but visiting a friend in their own space can be just as fun. It also means another way of learning more about them, especially if this is a new friend.   

Finally, a staycation can happen in the confines of your own home. This is my personal favourite and is the most versatile type of staycation.   

I like to start by deep cleaning my spaces, doing my laundry and dusting, maybe even rearranging some furniture. Freshening up your space also helps refresh your mind.   

Now, I know that most people are not like me. Where I would include cleaning and reorganizing as part of my vacation, but for others, it would be considered work. If you’re in the latter group, I would suggest doing all the cleaning and chores as preparation for your staycation.   

Then, the world (or your house or your room) is your oyster. Exploring your home can take many forms—you can go through all those old photos and clothes and declutter, or just bask in the nostalgia. Go shopping in different rooms to change things around, create new outfits from all your clothes, bust out the puzzle you never got to do or the art supplies you haven’t used in the two years since you bought them.   

The goal is to rest, but also to see your own space in a new light. What is your house like when you’re usually not home? For example, over quarantine, I discovered that the leaves of the tree in our backyard cast shadows on my wall during sunset and to this day, that is one of my favourite aspects of my room. It is incredibly calming to watch the shadows of those leaves swaying while I’m not doing anything in particular.   

Some other things I like finding are hiding places, places to sit that you haven’t thought of before, what space is the most relaxing, what seat is the most comfortable. Forget about everything you know about your space, and rediscover how charming a place you live in.   

If that’s too much work, just lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. That’s super fun.   

My favourite thing about staycations is that they don’t have to end. That new cafe you liked, you can revisit as often as you like. You can keep making the new dish you discovered, you can go back to the bookstore you fell in love with, you can spend 10 minutes lying there and watching the leaves swaying on the wall when you need to.   

A staycation is a reminder to take a step back, look at your life and your space from a fresh perspective, and maintain a sense of awe in the regular, the common and the everyday. 

MINI-DOSES OF AWE AND WONDER

A staycation is a vacation you can take in your home country, rather than abroad. For the sake of this piece and my wallet, I’ll be focusing on staying in your own city or, better yet, your own home.   

These mini vacations are useful because they’re easier on the budget but also help you learn about your own community.  

As you explore your city, you can create more relationships that flow into your everyday life and deepen your connection to the place that you live. Staycations are also much easier to plan, considering you don’t have to worry about accommodations, flights, trains, packing, etc.   

Like all vacations, a staycation requires deviation from your regularly scheduled programming. If you can, empty your schedule in advance—take a couple days off work or have a weekend where you have no other plans. I will sit down with a monthly and weekly calendar to help me visualize. I also try to set aside at least three days because I tend to be restless the first day that I deviate from my regular work, so I need some time to get into a more relaxed mindset.   

Then, consider what you need. Are you tired of monotony and want to add something interesting to your life? Or are you just tired and need some rest. Pay attention to your body and your thoughts in the days leading up to your time off.   

The answer is usually not so complicated. For example, if you find yourself bored at mealtimes, you might want to explore more food options either at home or outside. If you keep wishing that everyone would leave you alone, then you probably need some rest and alone time.   

Doing a brain dump of all the thoughts you have (especially all your complaints) can help with understanding the stressors of your life, which might change the type of staycation you choose to take.   

Now, you can decide what it is that you need in a staycation. Do you need more time with friends or time alone? Do you want to meet new people or deepen the connections you may have been neglecting? Does exploration and social time rejuvenate or exhaust you?   

Considering these questions can help you decide whether you want to spend your staycation exploring your city or exploring your home.   

If you choose the former, it is possible to explore your surroundings spontaneously. Choose a starting point—e.g. downtown Kitchener or brunch at your favourite cafe—then let the day take you where it will. I especially like doing this with friends, since I am not very adventurous.   

Another method is to make a list of all the places you either never get a chance to go back to, or that you wanted to explore, but never got a chance. This could be cute cafes (cafe-hopping!), bookstores, parks, trails or any number of places. What has caught your attention before, but you weren’t able to go back to it?  

Other people’s houses can also be on that list. So many social plans rely on us going out, but visiting a friend in their own space can be just as fun. It also means another way of learning more about them, especially if this is a new friend.   

Finally, a staycation can happen in the confines of your own home. This is my personal favourite and is the most versatile type of staycation.   

I like to start by deep cleaning my spaces, doing my laundry and dusting, maybe even rearranging some furniture. Freshening up your space also helps refresh your mind.   

Now, I know that most people are not like me. Where I would include cleaning and reorganizing as part of my vacation, but for others, it would be considered work. If you’re in the latter group, I would suggest doing all the cleaning and chores as preparation for your staycation.   

Then, the world (or your house or your room) is your oyster. Exploring your home can take many forms—you can go through all those old photos and clothes and declutter, or just bask in the nostalgia. Go shopping in different rooms to change things around, create new outfits from all your clothes, bust out the puzzle you never got to do or the art supplies you haven’t used in the two years since you bought them.   

The goal is to rest, but also to see your own space in a new light. What is your house like when you’re usually not home? For example, over quarantine, I discovered that the leaves of the tree in our backyard cast shadows on my wall during sunset and to this day, that is one of my favourite aspects of my room. It is incredibly calming to watch the shadows of those leaves swaying while I’m not doing anything in particular.   

Some other things I like finding are hiding places, places to sit that you haven’t thought of before, what space is the most relaxing, what seat is the most comfortable. Forget about everything you know about your space, and rediscover how charming a place you live in.   

If that’s too much work, just lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. That’s super fun.   

My favourite thing about staycations is that they don’t have to end. That new cafe you liked, you can revisit as often as you like. You can keep making the new dish you discovered, you can go back to the bookstore you fell in love with, you can spend 10 minutes lying there and watching the leaves swaying on the wall when you need to.   

A staycation is a reminder to take a step back, look at your life and your space from a fresh perspective, and maintain a sense of awe in the regular, the common and the everyday. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: YOU’RE ALLOWED TO CRY ABOUT IT, AS LONG AS YOU KEEP GOING

As 2025 draws to a close and 2026 approaches, we are also entering a period of reflection brought on by endings and new beginnings, punctuated with the formation of goals and resolutions.   

There is a temptation to think that in the new year, you will change EVERYTHING and be BETTER.  

However, reflection is a process that must be approached with honesty, without judgment. We must consider what we are, separate from what we wish to have been. That will come later.   

Honestly consider what parts of your life are unsatisfactory. List as many as you want, but prioritize only one. If you are a more motivated person than I am, choose your top two or three, but not more. Too many areas of focus can become overwhelming.  

During this process, it might be tempting to give up—thinking only about what is bad can make your whole life feel worse than it is.  

Accept the dark thoughts and move on—they are useful only for understanding how you feel, not for getting you out of that feeling. If you’re sad, just cry about it.  

The focus for the moment is making that list.    

Now, go through your areas of focus and go into more detail about specific behaviours or facts of your situation that are bothering you the most.   

For example, at the beginning of this year, I looked into my finances and did not like what I saw. I broke it down into different categories, including debt repayment, savings and lower anxiety around paying bills. The unpredictability of my method of payment meant there were times I overspent, times where I didn’t have enough money to cover the bills that were due in the next week or times where I didn’t have enough money to do the activities I wanted to do.   

Once again, prioritize top one, two or three sub-areas of focus.   

There are two options for the next step. Option one is to create a very basic plan without too many details. For me, that meant creating a rudimentary budget that included all my bills and major expenses with dates. This does not have to be perfect—it’s a first draft so it’s meant to be edited. I also find it helpful to have a list of other task, like calling the bank.   

The second option is to have a breakdown. This is incredibly important—one of the most common causes of procrastination is avoidance of negative feelings, so we must feel them before we get started.  

I like to schedule my breakdowns for after I make a rough plan because then I have something to hold on to when I’m overwhelmed. If looking at my credit card balance makes me feel bad about letting it get to that point, then I know that the financial advisor will help me make a plan to pay it off.   

I’m still allowed to cry about it, though.   

You can have as many breakdowns as you want. Don’t feel bad about it because it’s not helpful—you’re working on solving the problem, feeling bad about feeling sad is superfluous and useless. Let go of that shame, move forward with the knowledge that even if you don’t meet your own standards, you will meet them and that is good enough.   

Throughout this process, remember to treat yourself with compassion. You may have made some mistakes, you might be disappointed in yourself, but remember: the way out of that is to make a plan and enact it. Forgive yourself for your mistakes, even if you knew better, there is no point to dwelling on the past, on what you wish you hadn’t done, beyond recognizing it to prevent it from happening again.   

Now, after identifying focus areas and making a rough plan and crying, you can make a resolution. Making them too early in the process risks making such broad resolutions that they are impossible to follow. Resolutions should be specific goals, ideally ones where you can measure the progress.  

If I had started the year with, “I must have better finances,” that would not have led to any improvement because that is not actionable. However, my goal was, instead, to make a budget that I stick to. I made that budget, sometimes stuck to it and sometimes did not. I tweaked it a lot in the beginning to better fit my lifestyle and also to meet certain goals, such as paying off my credit card by the end of the year. In order to pay off the credit card, I had to take certain steps: I made an appointment at the bank, learned what interest meant for me, what actual amount I would be paying off, how much I must pay out of each paycheque and how to understand my credit score. I went on to make a schedule to make sure my bills are actually paid (I don’t always stick to it, but it’s there and I adhere to it as closely as I can) and to track my credit score on an app.   

Emotions are a major part of this process. Of course, there is the breakdown mentioned earlier, but success in these specific goals has a great emotional impact. When I don’t feel good about something, even if it isn’t related to my finances, I can look at my banking app to see that the amount of money I owe has gone down. A couple months ago, as I was going through a particularly rough time, I took a screenshot of the graph portraying my credit score rising and made it my phone’s wallpaper. Even though my stressors at the time were not at all related to finances, it helped me continue maintaining faith in myself because there was evidence that I am a good person and that I am reliable and competent.   

These goals are incredibly personal. I am nothing if not an oversharer, so my support group knew everything—what my budget looked like, what I cried about, what the bank people said. You may not be as open, but having an accountability group is incredibly helpful, especially where everyone has their own goals that they are working toward. Don’t be afraid to share with your friends and also strangers you meet on the street that you are on a self-improvement arc; who knows, they might end up helping you or you them.    

A year later, as I look forward to 2026, I am able to build off those previous resolutions. I am reflecting on what is still unsatisfactory, but also on what I have changed and how I have grown. Although I had many breakdowns this year, I haven’t had any while I make these resolutions (so far).   

Remember, this is a marathon. Have compassion for yourself; be honest with what you need to change, but don’t dwell on your shortcomings such that they remain and you never break those cycles. If you are working toward being better, you are already good enough.   

And if you’re sad about something, cry about it and then move on.   

Happy New Year! 

#2025 #2026 #characterDevelopment #compassion #creditCards #EditorSNote #emotionalGrowth #emotions #goalSetting #HarleenKaurDhillon #KristySerpa #mainCharacterEnergy #mentalBreakdown #newYear #personalFinance #personalGrowth #Resolutions #selfImprovementArc #selfCompassion #selfImprovement #SelfLove

KHAN PHADY’S MUAY THAI

In the 1980s, faced with a lack of Muay Thai in the region, Khan Phady founded Phady’s Muay Thai. The gym is one of the earliest Muay Thai gyms in Canada and opened in Cambridge in 1987.

“There was Western kickboxing, Kung Fu, Karate and Taekwondo. At that time, that was it. And so I joined a kickboxing club…it’s not the same,” Phady said.

“I decided…I want to start up something.”

Phady was born in Vientiane, Laos while a communist revolution was underway. In 1974, he migrated to Thailand with his family as a refugee and in 1980, the Phady family made their way to Canada.

Phady’s father, Thep Phady, introduced him and his brothers to Muay Thai. Thep Phady was the owner of a construction company, who initially forayed into Muay Thai as a means to maintain his health and went on to own two stadiums in Laos. Thep Phady went on to inspire all of his children to embrace Muay Thai and the Phady family has been practicing the art for four generations.

“So my dad started it, and he just liked fighting, and he got us into it…dads always take you where [they want] to go and we would follow,” he said.

Although the gym faced some bureaucratic difficulties in the earlier years, Phady and his team navigated the system and founded the Canadian Amateur Muay Thai Association in 2003 and the World Amateur Muay Thai Association Canada in 2009.

Lukman Patel, one of the head coaches at Phady’s Muay Thai, has been surrounded by the martial art since he was a child. He started learning Muay Thai as a toddler.

Muay Thai originates from Muay Boran, an older and more brutal art taught in the Kingdom of Siam. As such, other countries, such as Laos and Cambodia, have nearly identical boxing styles. Patel said he appreciates the warrior spirit of Muay Thai, as well as the focus on community, fitness and goal-setting.

“There [are] a lot of people that are very, very shy, and this is something that gives them that confidence in themselves…it gives them a sense of being involved in something as well, too, so they feel included now,” he said. “All sports are kind of like that, right?”

Phady said Muay Thai is not about anger and conflict—respect, sportsmanship and camaraderie are major aspects.

“If you have anger problems, try to go up there and fight, it doesn’t work. You have to control yourself. It’s sports. When you lose, show respect,” he said. “You win the fight, don’t override your opponent too much, because…he’s helping you win that fight.”

Both Phady and Patel recognize the substantial cultural aspects of martial arts. For example, the Wai Kru is an interpretive dance done by fighters before a fight that acknowledges their fighting heritage, teachers and community.

“It’s tradition, culture; and it brings us together. When we’re done fighting, no matter how hard we hit each other, at the end, we apologize to each other,” Phady said. “That’s what I love about Muay Thai. It shows not just about fighting…it doesn’t create hate.”

Phady is supported by a community—his family, older students, volunteers and other members of the community. The goal is to always improve, he said. For example, as someone who has run over 150 shows, Phady strives to help others run shows as well.

“I have a lot of student who help and friends and connection is very important…All these people helping me, like before they’re not sure it’s gonna happen,” he said.

“I don’t mind sharing my knowledge. That’s what it’s about. You build a community.
If I die one day, somebody’s gonna be able to run better show than mine. And I want to see better show than [mine], not just [mine],” Phady said.

Now, Muay Thai is gaining recognition worldwide and there is a growing possibility of it being included in the Olympics. Patel said Muay Thai has grown even in Canada, with many
of Phady’s previous students opening their own gyms or becoming professional fighters and traveling to Thailand.

“We want to focus on bringing them back here to Canada, getting them working here so they can represent Canada on an international level at the World Olympics,” Patel said.

Phady said he hopes to continue growing the Muay Thai community in Canada and in the region. Eventually, he hopes to create a stadium for Muay Thai in Cambridge.

“What I want to do for City of Cambridge is to have our own stadium here…because Cambridge is a muay thai city, because we started here,” Phady said.

“That’s my dream,” he said.

For more information, visit phadysmuaythai.ca.

#boxingStyles #Cambridge #canadianAmateurMuayThaiAssociation #CityOfCambridge #communistRevolution #HarleenKaurDhillon #immigrant #karate #khanPhady #kingdomOfSiam #kungFu #localGym #localSports #martialArts #muayThai #Olympics #phadysmuaythai #Refugees #siam #taekwondo #thailand #thepPhady #vientiane #worldAmateurMuayThaiAssociationCanada

KHAN PHADY’S MUAY THAI

In the 1980s, faced with a lack of Muay Thai in the region, Khan Phady founded Phady’s Muay Thai. The gym is one of the earliest Muay Thai gyms in Canada and opened in Cambridge in 1987.

“There was Western kickboxing, Kung Fu, Karate and Taekwondo. At that time, that was it. And so I joined a kickboxing club…it’s not the same,” Phady said.

“I decided…I want to start up something.”

Phady was born in Vientiane, Laos while a communist revolution was underway. In 1974, he migrated to Thailand with his family as a refugee and in 1980, the Phady family made their way to Canada.

Phady’s father, Thep Phady, introduced him and his brothers to Muay Thai. Thep Phady was the owner of a construction company, who initially forayed into Muay Thai as a means to maintain his health and went on to own two stadiums in Laos. Thep Phady went on to inspire all of his children to embrace Muay Thai and the Phady family has been practicing the art for four generations.

“So my dad started it, and he just liked fighting, and he got us into it…dads always take you where [they want] to go and we would follow,” he said.

Although the gym faced some bureaucratic difficulties in the earlier years, Phady and his team navigated the system and founded the Canadian Amateur Muay Thai Association in 2003 and the World Amateur Muay Thai Association Canada in 2009.

Lukman Patel, one of the head coaches at Phady’s Muay Thai, has been surrounded by the martial art since he was a child. He started learning Muay Thai as a toddler.

Muay Thai originates from Muay Boran, an older and more brutal art taught in the Kingdom of Siam. As such, other countries, such as Laos and Cambodia, have nearly identical boxing styles. Patel said he appreciates the warrior spirit of Muay Thai, as well as the focus on community, fitness and goal-setting.

“There [are] a lot of people that are very, very shy, and this is something that gives them that confidence in themselves…it gives them a sense of being involved in something as well, too, so they feel included now,” he said. “All sports are kind of like that, right?”

Phady said Muay Thai is not about anger and conflict—respect, sportsmanship and camaraderie are major aspects.

“If you have anger problems, try to go up there and fight, it doesn’t work. You have to control yourself. It’s sports. When you lose, show respect,” he said. “You win the fight, don’t override your opponent too much, because…he’s helping you win that fight.”

Both Phady and Patel recognize the substantial cultural aspects of martial arts. For example, the Wai Kru is an interpretive dance done by fighters before a fight that acknowledges their fighting heritage, teachers and community.

“It’s tradition, culture; and it brings us together. When we’re done fighting, no matter how hard we hit each other, at the end, we apologize to each other,” Phady said. “That’s what I love about Muay Thai. It shows not just about fighting…it doesn’t create hate.”

Phady is supported by a community—his family, older students, volunteers and other members of the community. The goal is to always improve, he said. For example, as someone who has run over 150 shows, Phady strives to help others run shows as well.

“I have a lot of student who help and friends and connection is very important…All these people helping me, like before they’re not sure it’s gonna happen,” he said.

“I don’t mind sharing my knowledge. That’s what it’s about. You build a community.
If I die one day, somebody’s gonna be able to run better show than mine. And I want to see better show than [mine], not just [mine],” Phady said.

Now, Muay Thai is gaining recognition worldwide and there is a growing possibility of it being included in the Olympics. Patel said Muay Thai has grown even in Canada, with many
of Phady’s previous students opening their own gyms or becoming professional fighters and traveling to Thailand.

“We want to focus on bringing them back here to Canada, getting them working here so they can represent Canada on an international level at the World Olympics,” Patel said.

Phady said he hopes to continue growing the Muay Thai community in Canada and in the region. Eventually, he hopes to create a stadium for Muay Thai in Cambridge.

“What I want to do for City of Cambridge is to have our own stadium here…because Cambridge is a muay thai city, because we started here,” Phady said.

“That’s my dream,” he said.

For more information, visit phadysmuaythai.ca.

#boxingStyles #Cambridge #canadianAmateurMuayThaiAssociation #CityOfCambridge #communistRevolution #HarleenKaurDhillon #immigrant #karate #khanPhady #kingdomOfSiam #kungFu #localGym #localSports #martialArts #muayThai #Olympics #phadysmuaythai #Refugees #siam #taekwondo #thailand #thepPhady #vientiane #worldAmateurMuayThaiAssociationCanada

KHAN PHADY’S MUAY THAI

In the 1980s, faced with a lack of Muay Thai in the region, Khan Phady founded Phady’s Muay Thai. The gym is one of the earliest Muay Thai gyms in Canada and opened in Cambridge in 1987.

“There was Western kickboxing, Kung Fu, Karate and Taekwondo. At that time, that was it. And so I joined a kickboxing club…it’s not the same,” Phady said.

“I decided…I want to start up something.”

Phady was born in Vientiane, Laos while a communist revolution was underway. In 1974, he migrated to Thailand with his family as a refugee and in 1980, the Phady family made their way to Canada.

Phady’s father, Thep Phady, introduced him and his brothers to Muay Thai. Thep Phady was the owner of a construction company, who initially forayed into Muay Thai as a means to maintain his health and went on to own two stadiums in Laos. Thep Phady went on to inspire all of his children to embrace Muay Thai and the Phady family has been practicing the art for four generations.

“So my dad started it, and he just liked fighting, and he got us into it…dads always take you where [they want] to go and we would follow,” he said.

Although the gym faced some bureaucratic difficulties in the earlier years, Phady and his team navigated the system and founded the Canadian Amateur Muay Thai Association in 2003 and the World Amateur Muay Thai Association Canada in 2009.

Lukman Patel, one of the head coaches at Phady’s Muay Thai, has been surrounded by the martial art since he was a child. He started learning Muay Thai as a toddler.

Muay Thai originates from Muay Boran, an older and more brutal art taught in the Kingdom of Siam. As such, other countries, such as Laos and Cambodia, have nearly identical boxing styles. Patel said he appreciates the warrior spirit of Muay Thai, as well as the focus on community, fitness and goal-setting.

“There [are] a lot of people that are very, very shy, and this is something that gives them that confidence in themselves…it gives them a sense of being involved in something as well, too, so they feel included now,” he said. “All sports are kind of like that, right?”

Phady said Muay Thai is not about anger and conflict—respect, sportsmanship and camaraderie are major aspects.

“If you have anger problems, try to go up there and fight, it doesn’t work. You have to control yourself. It’s sports. When you lose, show respect,” he said. “You win the fight, don’t override your opponent too much, because…he’s helping you win that fight.”

Both Phady and Patel recognize the substantial cultural aspects of martial arts. For example, the Wai Kru is an interpretive dance done by fighters before a fight that acknowledges their fighting heritage, teachers and community.

“It’s tradition, culture; and it brings us together. When we’re done fighting, no matter how hard we hit each other, at the end, we apologize to each other,” Phady said. “That’s what I love about Muay Thai. It shows not just about fighting…it doesn’t create hate.”

Phady is supported by a community—his family, older students, volunteers and other members of the community. The goal is to always improve, he said. For example, as someone who has run over 150 shows, Phady strives to help others run shows as well.

“I have a lot of student who help and friends and connection is very important…All these people helping me, like before they’re not sure it’s gonna happen,” he said.

“I don’t mind sharing my knowledge. That’s what it’s about. You build a community.
If I die one day, somebody’s gonna be able to run better show than mine. And I want to see better show than [mine], not just [mine],” Phady said.

Now, Muay Thai is gaining recognition worldwide and there is a growing possibility of it being included in the Olympics. Patel said Muay Thai has grown even in Canada, with many
of Phady’s previous students opening their own gyms or becoming professional fighters and traveling to Thailand.

“We want to focus on bringing them back here to Canada, getting them working here so they can represent Canada on an international level at the World Olympics,” Patel said.

Phady said he hopes to continue growing the Muay Thai community in Canada and in the region. Eventually, he hopes to create a stadium for Muay Thai in Cambridge.

“What I want to do for City of Cambridge is to have our own stadium here…because Cambridge is a muay thai city, because we started here,” Phady said.

“That’s my dream,” he said.

For more information, visit phadysmuaythai.ca.

#boxingStyles #Cambridge #canadianAmateurMuayThaiAssociation #CityOfCambridge #communistRevolution #HarleenKaurDhillon #immigrant #karate #khanPhady #kingdomOfSiam #kungFu #localGym #localSports #martialArts #muayThai #Olympics #phadysmuaythai #Refugees #siam #taekwondo #thailand #thepPhady #vientiane #worldAmateurMuayThaiAssociationCanada

KHAN PHADY’S MUAY THAI

In the 1980s, faced with a lack of Muay Thai in the region, Khan Phady founded Phady’s Muay Thai. The gym is one of the earliest Muay Thai gyms in Canada and opened in Cambridge in 1987.

“There was Western kickboxing, Kung Fu, Karate and Taekwondo. At that time, that was it. And so I joined a kickboxing club…it’s not the same,” Phady said.

“I decided…I want to start up something.”

Phady was born in Vientiane, Laos while a communist revolution was underway. In 1974, he migrated to Thailand with his family as a refugee and in 1980, the Phady family made their way to Canada.

Phady’s father, Thep Phady, introduced him and his brothers to Muay Thai. Thep Phady was the owner of a construction company, who initially forayed into Muay Thai as a means to maintain his health and went on to own two stadiums in Laos. Thep Phady went on to inspire all of his children to embrace Muay Thai and the Phady family has been practicing the art for four generations.

“So my dad started it, and he just liked fighting, and he got us into it…dads always take you where [they want] to go and we would follow,” he said.

Although the gym faced some bureaucratic difficulties in the earlier years, Phady and his team navigated the system and founded the Canadian Amateur Muay Thai Association in 2003 and the World Amateur Muay Thai Association Canada in 2009.

Lukman Patel, one of the head coaches at Phady’s Muay Thai, has been surrounded by the martial art since he was a child. He started learning Muay Thai as a toddler.

Muay Thai originates from Muay Boran, an older and more brutal art taught in the Kingdom of Siam. As such, other countries, such as Laos and Cambodia, have nearly identical boxing styles. Patel said he appreciates the warrior spirit of Muay Thai, as well as the focus on community, fitness and goal-setting.

“There [are] a lot of people that are very, very shy, and this is something that gives them that confidence in themselves…it gives them a sense of being involved in something as well, too, so they feel included now,” he said. “All sports are kind of like that, right?”

Phady said Muay Thai is not about anger and conflict—respect, sportsmanship and camaraderie are major aspects.

“If you have anger problems, try to go up there and fight, it doesn’t work. You have to control yourself. It’s sports. When you lose, show respect,” he said. “You win the fight, don’t override your opponent too much, because…he’s helping you win that fight.”

Both Phady and Patel recognize the substantial cultural aspects of martial arts. For example, the Wai Kru is an interpretive dance done by fighters before a fight that acknowledges their fighting heritage, teachers and community.

“It’s tradition, culture; and it brings us together. When we’re done fighting, no matter how hard we hit each other, at the end, we apologize to each other,” Phady said. “That’s what I love about Muay Thai. It shows not just about fighting…it doesn’t create hate.”

Phady is supported by a community—his family, older students, volunteers and other members of the community. The goal is to always improve, he said. For example, as someone who has run over 150 shows, Phady strives to help others run shows as well.

“I have a lot of student who help and friends and connection is very important…All these people helping me, like before they’re not sure it’s gonna happen,” he said.

“I don’t mind sharing my knowledge. That’s what it’s about. You build a community.
If I die one day, somebody’s gonna be able to run better show than mine. And I want to see better show than [mine], not just [mine],” Phady said.

Now, Muay Thai is gaining recognition worldwide and there is a growing possibility of it being included in the Olympics. Patel said Muay Thai has grown even in Canada, with many
of Phady’s previous students opening their own gyms or becoming professional fighters and traveling to Thailand.

“We want to focus on bringing them back here to Canada, getting them working here so they can represent Canada on an international level at the World Olympics,” Patel said.

Phady said he hopes to continue growing the Muay Thai community in Canada and in the region. Eventually, he hopes to create a stadium for Muay Thai in Cambridge.

“What I want to do for City of Cambridge is to have our own stadium here…because Cambridge is a muay thai city, because we started here,” Phady said.

“That’s my dream,” he said.

For more information, visit phadysmuaythai.ca.

#boxingStyles #Cambridge #canadianAmateurMuayThaiAssociation #CityOfCambridge #communistRevolution #HarleenKaurDhillon #immigrant #karate #khanPhady #kingdomOfSiam #kungFu #localGym #localSports #martialArts #muayThai #Olympics #phadysmuaythai #Refugees #siam #taekwondo #thailand #thepPhady #vientiane #worldAmateurMuayThaiAssociationCanada

KHAN PHADY’S MUAY THAI

In the 1980s, faced with a lack of Muay Thai in the region, Khan Phady founded Phady’s Muay Thai. The gym is one of the earliest Muay Thai gyms in Canada and opened in Cambridge in 1987.

“There was Western kickboxing, Kung Fu, Karate and Taekwondo. At that time, that was it. And so I joined a kickboxing club…it’s not the same,” Phady said.

“I decided…I want to start up something.”

Phady was born in Vientiane, Laos while a communist revolution was underway. In 1974, he migrated to Thailand with his family as a refugee and in 1980, the Phady family made their way to Canada.

Phady’s father, Thep Phady, introduced him and his brothers to Muay Thai. Thep Phady was the owner of a construction company, who initially forayed into Muay Thai as a means to maintain his health and went on to own two stadiums in Laos. Thep Phady went on to inspire all of his children to embrace Muay Thai and the Phady family has been practicing the art for four generations.

“So my dad started it, and he just liked fighting, and he got us into it…dads always take you where [they want] to go and we would follow,” he said.

Although the gym faced some bureaucratic difficulties in the earlier years, Phady and his team navigated the system and founded the Canadian Amateur Muay Thai Association in 2003 and the World Amateur Muay Thai Association Canada in 2009.

Lukman Patel, one of the head coaches at Phady’s Muay Thai, has been surrounded by the martial art since he was a child. He started learning Muay Thai as a toddler.

Muay Thai originates from Muay Boran, an older and more brutal art taught in the Kingdom of Siam. As such, other countries, such as Laos and Cambodia, have nearly identical boxing styles. Patel said he appreciates the warrior spirit of Muay Thai, as well as the focus on community, fitness and goal-setting.

“There [are] a lot of people that are very, very shy, and this is something that gives them that confidence in themselves…it gives them a sense of being involved in something as well, too, so they feel included now,” he said. “All sports are kind of like that, right?”

Phady said Muay Thai is not about anger and conflict—respect, sportsmanship and camaraderie are major aspects.

“If you have anger problems, try to go up there and fight, it doesn’t work. You have to control yourself. It’s sports. When you lose, show respect,” he said. “You win the fight, don’t override your opponent too much, because…he’s helping you win that fight.”

Both Phady and Patel recognize the substantial cultural aspects of martial arts. For example, the Wai Kru is an interpretive dance done by fighters before a fight that acknowledges their fighting heritage, teachers and community.

“It’s tradition, culture; and it brings us together. When we’re done fighting, no matter how hard we hit each other, at the end, we apologize to each other,” Phady said. “That’s what I love about Muay Thai. It shows not just about fighting…it doesn’t create hate.”

Phady is supported by a community—his family, older students, volunteers and other members of the community. The goal is to always improve, he said. For example, as someone who has run over 150 shows, Phady strives to help others run shows as well.

“I have a lot of student who help and friends and connection is very important…All these people helping me, like before they’re not sure it’s gonna happen,” he said.

“I don’t mind sharing my knowledge. That’s what it’s about. You build a community.
If I die one day, somebody’s gonna be able to run better show than mine. And I want to see better show than [mine], not just [mine],” Phady said.

Now, Muay Thai is gaining recognition worldwide and there is a growing possibility of it being included in the Olympics. Patel said Muay Thai has grown even in Canada, with many
of Phady’s previous students opening their own gyms or becoming professional fighters and traveling to Thailand.

“We want to focus on bringing them back here to Canada, getting them working here so they can represent Canada on an international level at the World Olympics,” Patel said.

Phady said he hopes to continue growing the Muay Thai community in Canada and in the region. Eventually, he hopes to create a stadium for Muay Thai in Cambridge.

“What I want to do for City of Cambridge is to have our own stadium here…because Cambridge is a muay thai city, because we started here,” Phady said.

“That’s my dream,” he said.

For more information, visit phadysmuaythai.ca.

#boxingStyles #Cambridge #canadianAmateurMuayThaiAssociation #CityOfCambridge #communistRevolution #HarleenKaurDhillon #immigrant #karate #khanPhady #kingdomOfSiam #kungFu #localGym #localSports #martialArts #muayThai #Olympics #phadysmuaythai #Refugees #siam #taekwondo #thailand #thepPhady #vientiane #worldAmateurMuayThaiAssociationCanada

FIGHT NIGHT 2 AT GALT ARENA GARDENS

Galt Arena Gardens in Cambridge hosted Fight Night 2, a Muay Thai and Muay Lao competition by Phady’s Muay Thai, on June 21.  

Phady’s Muay Thai, established 1987, is a community staple in Cambridge. For over 35 years, Khan Phady and his team have taught Muay Thai in the region, in addition to Phady being the founder of Canadian Amateur Muay Thai Association Ontario (CAMTAO) and the World Amateur Muay Thai Association Canada (WAMTAC). 

Fight Night 2 was the second event in the series, the first being held in Laos. It featured 40 fighters from various gyms across Canada, Mexico and Laos. They fought in bouts, and national and international title fights.  

Damon Weekes from Fifth Round Muay Thai in Stratford won his bout against Cole Dougan from Soi Dogs Muay Thai in Hamilton. Weekes said that Muay Thai helped him find a purpose. He began his boxing journey at 19 and, four years later, fought his fifteenth fight at Fight Night 2. 

“I eventually started doing Muay Thai and started kicking, and I fell in love with it[…]I’m professional in Muay Thai now, so it’s only up from here,” he said. 

Weekes said smaller scale competitions are important for fighters to build skill and confidence as they become professionals.  

“The importance is the experience—because everyone’s nervous when they go in there, not everyone can get in the ring and fight,” he said.  “The losses teach you more than the wins do.” 

Some fighters represented both Canada and the countries from which either they or their families emigrated. The title fight was for an international title with Khampha Theuasavang from Lanexang Gym in Laos facing Ramzi Khatib from MAS Academy in Cambridge, representing both Canada and Palestine.  

Leo Nguyen from Return of the Dragon Martial Arts in Kitchener represented both Canada and Vietnam. He started with kung fu at age three, before moving on to other forms of martial arts, including kickboxing and Muay Thai.  

Nguyen said doing martial arts is an opportunity to be challenged both in skill, but also mentally.  

“[The biggest lesson I have learned is to] be consistent—it carries on to everything in life. Being consistent and just putting the hard work, it’ll pay off,” he said.  

Phady said he would like to see the sport continue to grow.  

“I want to see this grow further and get this sport is not just [competing and] fighting, it’s about learning discipline, control and health,” he said.  

Muay Thai and Muay Lao are the same, he said—as Muay means boxing, Thai and Lao only indicate where the sport is coming from. 

“Last 25 years, this sport is growing so fast. Now this sport is a national sport of Thailand, and I would like to make the same thing for Muay Lao,” Phady said. 

Weekes is now a coach himself and had many students attend his fight. He said martial arts have also taught him to stay calm and helped build character.  

“Stay calm[…]put a smile on your face and have fun in the ring,” he said. “It builds character, it builds heart and puts a smile on your face.” 

#atheltics #Cambridge #Canada #coleDougan #fightNight #galtArena #Hamilton #HarleenKaurDhillon #laos #Love #martialArts #mexico #muayThai #sports #Stratford

FIGHT NIGHT 2 AT GALT ARENA GARDENS

Galt Arena Gardens in Cambridge hosted Fight Night 2, a Muay Thai and Muay Lao competition by Phady’s Muay Thai, on June 21.  

Phady’s Muay Thai, established 1987, is a community staple in Cambridge. For over 35 years, Khan Phady and his team have taught Muay Thai in the region, in addition to Phady being the founder of Canadian Amateur Muay Thai Association Ontario (CAMTAO) and the World Amateur Muay Thai Association Canada (WAMTAC). 

Fight Night 2 was the second event in the series, the first being held in Laos. It featured 40 fighters from various gyms across Canada, Mexico and Laos. They fought in bouts, and national and international title fights.  

Damon Weekes from Fifth Round Muay Thai in Stratford won his bout against Cole Dougan from Soi Dogs Muay Thai in Hamilton. Weekes said that Muay Thai helped him find a purpose. He began his boxing journey at 19 and, four years later, fought his fifteenth fight at Fight Night 2. 

“I eventually started doing Muay Thai and started kicking, and I fell in love with it[…]I’m professional in Muay Thai now, so it’s only up from here,” he said. 

Weekes said smaller scale competitions are important for fighters to build skill and confidence as they become professionals.  

“The importance is the experience—because everyone’s nervous when they go in there, not everyone can get in the ring and fight,” he said.  “The losses teach you more than the wins do.” 

Some fighters represented both Canada and the countries from which either they or their families emigrated. The title fight was for an international title with Khampha Theuasavang from Lanexang Gym in Laos facing Ramzi Khatib from MAS Academy in Cambridge, representing both Canada and Palestine.  

Leo Nguyen from Return of the Dragon Martial Arts in Kitchener represented both Canada and Vietnam. He started with kung fu at age three, before moving on to other forms of martial arts, including kickboxing and Muay Thai.  

Nguyen said doing martial arts is an opportunity to be challenged both in skill, but also mentally.  

“[The biggest lesson I have learned is to] be consistent—it carries on to everything in life. Being consistent and just putting the hard work, it’ll pay off,” he said.  

Phady said he would like to see the sport continue to grow.  

“I want to see this grow further and get this sport is not just [competing and] fighting, it’s about learning discipline, control and health,” he said.  

Muay Thai and Muay Lao are the same, he said—as Muay means boxing, Thai and Lao only indicate where the sport is coming from. 

“Last 25 years, this sport is growing so fast. Now this sport is a national sport of Thailand, and I would like to make the same thing for Muay Lao,” Phady said. 

Weekes is now a coach himself and had many students attend his fight. He said martial arts have also taught him to stay calm and helped build character.  

“Stay calm[…]put a smile on your face and have fun in the ring,” he said. “It builds character, it builds heart and puts a smile on your face.” 

#atheltics #Cambridge #Canada #coleDougan #fightNight #galtArena #Hamilton #HarleenKaurDhillon #laos #Love #martialArts #mexico #muayThai #sports #Stratford

FIGHT NIGHT 2 AT GALT ARENA GARDENS

Galt Arena Gardens in Cambridge hosted Fight Night 2, a Muay Thai and Muay Lao competition by Phady’s Muay Thai, on June 21.  

Phady’s Muay Thai, established 1987, is a community staple in Cambridge. For over 35 years, Khan Phady and his team have taught Muay Thai in the region, in addition to Phady being the founder of Canadian Amateur Muay Thai Association Ontario (CAMTAO) and the World Amateur Muay Thai Association Canada (WAMTAC). 

Fight Night 2 was the second event in the series, the first being held in Laos. It featured 40 fighters from various gyms across Canada, Mexico and Laos. They fought in bouts, and national and international title fights.  

Damon Weekes from Fifth Round Muay Thai in Stratford won his bout against Cole Dougan from Soi Dogs Muay Thai in Hamilton. Weekes said that Muay Thai helped him find a purpose. He began his boxing journey at 19 and, four years later, fought his fifteenth fight at Fight Night 2. 

“I eventually started doing Muay Thai and started kicking, and I fell in love with it[…]I’m professional in Muay Thai now, so it’s only up from here,” he said. 

Weekes said smaller scale competitions are important for fighters to build skill and confidence as they become professionals.  

“The importance is the experience—because everyone’s nervous when they go in there, not everyone can get in the ring and fight,” he said.  “The losses teach you more than the wins do.” 

Some fighters represented both Canada and the countries from which either they or their families emigrated. The title fight was for an international title with Khampha Theuasavang from Lanexang Gym in Laos facing Ramzi Khatib from MAS Academy in Cambridge, representing both Canada and Palestine.  

Leo Nguyen from Return of the Dragon Martial Arts in Kitchener represented both Canada and Vietnam. He started with kung fu at age three, before moving on to other forms of martial arts, including kickboxing and Muay Thai.  

Nguyen said doing martial arts is an opportunity to be challenged both in skill, but also mentally.  

“[The biggest lesson I have learned is to] be consistent—it carries on to everything in life. Being consistent and just putting the hard work, it’ll pay off,” he said.  

Phady said he would like to see the sport continue to grow.  

“I want to see this grow further and get this sport is not just [competing and] fighting, it’s about learning discipline, control and health,” he said.  

Muay Thai and Muay Lao are the same, he said—as Muay means boxing, Thai and Lao only indicate where the sport is coming from. 

“Last 25 years, this sport is growing so fast. Now this sport is a national sport of Thailand, and I would like to make the same thing for Muay Lao,” Phady said. 

Weekes is now a coach himself and had many students attend his fight. He said martial arts have also taught him to stay calm and helped build character.  

“Stay calm[…]put a smile on your face and have fun in the ring,” he said. “It builds character, it builds heart and puts a smile on your face.” 

#atheltics #Cambridge #Canada #coleDougan #fightNight #galtArena #Hamilton #HarleenKaurDhillon #laos #Love #martialArts #mexico #muayThai #sports #Stratford

FIGHT NIGHT 2 AT GALT ARENA GARDENS

Galt Arena Gardens in Cambridge hosted Fight Night 2, a Muay Thai and Muay Lao competition by Phady’s Muay Thai, on June 21.  

Phady’s Muay Thai, established 1987, is a community staple in Cambridge. For over 35 years, Khan Phady and his team have taught Muay Thai in the region, in addition to Phady being the founder of Canadian Amateur Muay Thai Association Ontario (CAMTAO) and the World Amateur Muay Thai Association Canada (WAMTAC). 

Fight Night 2 was the second event in the series, the first being held in Laos. It featured 40 fighters from various gyms across Canada, Mexico and Laos. They fought in bouts, and national and international title fights.  

Damon Weekes from Fifth Round Muay Thai in Stratford won his bout against Cole Dougan from Soi Dogs Muay Thai in Hamilton. Weekes said that Muay Thai helped him find a purpose. He began his boxing journey at 19 and, four years later, fought his fifteenth fight at Fight Night 2. 

“I eventually started doing Muay Thai and started kicking, and I fell in love with it[…]I’m professional in Muay Thai now, so it’s only up from here,” he said. 

Weekes said smaller scale competitions are important for fighters to build skill and confidence as they become professionals.  

“The importance is the experience—because everyone’s nervous when they go in there, not everyone can get in the ring and fight,” he said.  “The losses teach you more than the wins do.” 

Some fighters represented both Canada and the countries from which either they or their families emigrated. The title fight was for an international title with Khampha Theuasavang from Lanexang Gym in Laos facing Ramzi Khatib from MAS Academy in Cambridge, representing both Canada and Palestine.  

Leo Nguyen from Return of the Dragon Martial Arts in Kitchener represented both Canada and Vietnam. He started with kung fu at age three, before moving on to other forms of martial arts, including kickboxing and Muay Thai.  

Nguyen said doing martial arts is an opportunity to be challenged both in skill, but also mentally.  

“[The biggest lesson I have learned is to] be consistent—it carries on to everything in life. Being consistent and just putting the hard work, it’ll pay off,” he said.  

Phady said he would like to see the sport continue to grow.  

“I want to see this grow further and get this sport is not just [competing and] fighting, it’s about learning discipline, control and health,” he said.  

Muay Thai and Muay Lao are the same, he said—as Muay means boxing, Thai and Lao only indicate where the sport is coming from. 

“Last 25 years, this sport is growing so fast. Now this sport is a national sport of Thailand, and I would like to make the same thing for Muay Lao,” Phady said. 

Weekes is now a coach himself and had many students attend his fight. He said martial arts have also taught him to stay calm and helped build character.  

“Stay calm[…]put a smile on your face and have fun in the ring,” he said. “It builds character, it builds heart and puts a smile on your face.” 

#atheltics #Cambridge #Canada #coleDougan #fightNight #galtArena #Hamilton #HarleenKaurDhillon #laos #Love #martialArts #mexico #muayThai #sports #Stratford

KPL AND SANGUEN HEALTH CENTRE SCREEN HAVEN, HOST PANEL ON SAFER SUPPLY

https://communityedition.ca/kpl-and-sanguen-health-centre-screen-haven-host-panel-on-safer-supply/

#AndrewScottEntwistle #CarolynShafer #CraigBecker #CrosstownClinic #DanielTower #drugPoisoningCrisis #HarleenKaurDhillon #Haven #JennaeRobins #MichaelParkinson #opioidCrisis #pain #painManagement #saferSupply #Vancouver

KPL AND SANGUEN HEALTH CENTRE SCREEN HAVEN, HOST PANEL ON SAFER SUPPLY

https://communityedition.ca/kpl-and-sanguen-health-centre-screen-haven-host-panel-on-safer-supply/

#AndrewScottEntwistle #CarolynShafer #CraigBecker #CrosstownClinic #DanielTower #drugPoisoningCrisis #HarleenKaurDhillon #Haven #JennaeRobins #MichaelParkinson #opioidCrisis #pain #painManagement #saferSupply #Vancouver

KPL AND SANGUEN HEALTH CENTRE SCREEN HAVEN, HOST PANEL ON SAFER SUPPLY

https://communityedition.ca/kpl-and-sanguen-health-centre-screen-haven-host-panel-on-safer-supply/

#AndrewScottEntwistle #CarolynShafer #CraigBecker #CrosstownClinic #DanielTower #drugPoisoningCrisis #HarleenKaurDhillon #Haven #JennaeRobins #MichaelParkinson #opioidCrisis #pain #painManagement #saferSupply #Vancouver

KPL AND SANGUEN HEALTH CENTRE SCREEN HAVEN, HOST PANEL ON SAFER SUPPLY

https://communityedition.ca/kpl-and-sanguen-health-centre-screen-haven-host-panel-on-safer-supply/

#AndrewScottEntwistle #CarolynShafer #CraigBecker #CrosstownClinic #DanielTower #drugPoisoningCrisis #HarleenKaurDhillon #Haven #JennaeRobins #MichaelParkinson #opioidCrisis #pain #painManagement #saferSupply #Vancouver

KPL AND SANGUEN HEALTH CENTRE SCREEN HAVEN, HOST PANEL ON SAFER SUPPLY

https://communityedition.ca/kpl-and-sanguen-health-centre-screen-haven-host-panel-on-safer-supply/

#AndrewScottEntwistle #CarolynShafer #CraigBecker #CrosstownClinic #DanielTower #drugPoisoningCrisis #HarleenKaurDhillon #Haven #JennaeRobins #MichaelParkinson #opioidCrisis #pain #painManagement #saferSupply #Vancouver

https://communityedition.ca/22643-2/

#2SLGBTQ_ #community #HarleenKaurDhillon #Healing #Indigenous #IndigenousAdvocacy #IndigenousArt #kitchener #kitchenerWaterloo #LocalArt #LocalArtist #MemoirsOfAnIndianAGuideToSurvivingColonialism #SarahSiembida #SexualAssault #SexualViolence #SmartWaterlooRegionInnovationLab #SWRIL #Trauma #waterlooRegion

https://communityedition.ca/22643-2/

#2SLGBTQ_ #community #HarleenKaurDhillon #Healing #Indigenous #IndigenousAdvocacy #IndigenousArt #kitchener #kitchenerWaterloo #LocalArt #LocalArtist #MemoirsOfAnIndianAGuideToSurvivingColonialism #SarahSiembida #SexualAssault #SexualViolence #SmartWaterlooRegionInnovationLab #SWRIL #Trauma #waterlooRegion

MEMOIRS OF AN INDIAN: SARAH SIEMBIDA ON WRITING AND HEALING

https://communityedition.ca/22643-2/

#2SLGBTQ_ #community #HarleenKaurDhillon #Healing #Indigenous #IndigenousAdvocacy #IndigenousArt #kitchener #kitchenerWaterloo #LocalArt #LocalArtist #MemoirsOfAnIndianAGuideToSurvivingColonialism #SarahSiembida #SexualAssault #SexualViolence #SmartWaterlooRegionInnovationLab #SWRIL #Trauma #waterlooRegion

https://communityedition.ca/22643-2/

#2SLGBTQ_ #community #HarleenKaurDhillon #Healing #Indigenous #IndigenousAdvocacy #IndigenousArt #kitchener #kitchenerWaterloo #LocalArt #LocalArtist #MemoirsOfAnIndianAGuideToSurvivingColonialism #SarahSiembida #SexualAssault #SexualViolence #SmartWaterlooRegionInnovationLab #SWRIL #Trauma #waterlooRegion

https://communityedition.ca/22643-2/

#2SLGBTQ_ #community #HarleenKaurDhillon #Healing #Indigenous #IndigenousAdvocacy #IndigenousArt #kitchener #kitchenerWaterloo #LocalArt #LocalArtist #MemoirsOfAnIndianAGuideToSurvivingColonialism #SarahSiembida #SexualAssault #SexualViolence #SmartWaterlooRegionInnovationLab #SWRIL #Trauma #waterlooRegion

WLUSP STAFF PICKS TO ADD TO YOUR SUMMER READING LIST 

https://communityedition.ca/wlusp-staff-picks-to-add-to-your-summer-reading-list/

#aCertainHunger #aSecondLookBooks #AdrianQuijano #BronteBehling #byGrandCentralStationISatDownAndWept #chelseaGSummers #deliaOwens #donDelillo #elizabethSmart #HarleenKaurDhillon #howToDoNothing #jennyOdell #JessiWood #kurtVonnegut #readingList #SangjunHan #sarahHogle #summerReadingList #tJKlune #theSirensOfTitan #underTheWhisperingDoor #whereTheCrawdadsSing #whiteNoise #youDeserveEachOther

DISKO COFFEE: A HAVEN FOR MAGAZINE LOVERS  

https://communityedition.ca/disko-coffee-a-haven-for-magazine-lovers/

#ArmanDuggal #BrettPaulin #cafe #Cambridge #CambridgeBusiness #Coffee #coffeeShop #DicksonStCambridge #DiskoCoffee #HarleenKaurDhillon #Magazines #PhidonPens #Print #printMagazine #printMagazines #printMedia #stationary #thirdPlace #triCities #UniversityOfWaterlooSchoolOfArchitecture

EDITORIAL NOTE: UW’S RESPONSE TO OCCUPY UW IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE STUDENTS AND TO THE COMMUNITY

https://communityedition.ca/editorial-note-uws-response-to-occupy-uw-is-disrespectful-to-the-students-and-to-the-community/

#2SLGBTQIA_ #AdrianQuijano #GazaHouse #GeovannyVillalbaAleman #GraduateHouse #HarleenKaurDhillon #injunction #Israel #LGBTQ_ #OccupyUW #Palestine #universityOfWaterloo #UW #wilfridLaurierUniversity

EDITORIAL NOTE: UW’S RESPONSE TO OCCUPY UW IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE STUDENTS AND TO THE COMMUNITY

https://communityedition.ca/editorial-note-uws-response-to-occupy-uw-is-disrespectful-to-the-students-and-to-the-community/

#2SLGBTQIA_ #AdrianQuijano #GazaHouse #GeovannyVillalbaAleman #GraduateHouse #HarleenKaurDhillon #injunction #Israel #LGBTQ_ #OccupyUW #Palestine #universityOfWaterloo #UW #wilfridLaurierUniversity

EDITORIAL NOTE: UW’S RESPONSE TO OCCUPY UW IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE STUDENTS AND TO THE COMMUNITY

https://communityedition.ca/editorial-note-uws-response-to-occupy-uw-is-disrespectful-to-the-students-and-to-the-community/

#2SLGBTQIA_ #AdrianQuijano #GazaHouse #GeovannyVillalbaAleman #GraduateHouse #HarleenKaurDhillon #injunction #Israel #LGBTQ_ #OccupyUW #Palestine #universityOfWaterloo #UW #wilfridLaurierUniversity

EDITORIAL NOTE: UW’S RESPONSE TO OCCUPY UW IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE STUDENTS AND TO THE COMMUNITY

https://communityedition.ca/editorial-note-uws-response-to-occupy-uw-is-disrespectful-to-the-students-and-to-the-community/

#2SLGBTQIA_ #AdrianQuijano #GazaHouse #GeovannyVillalbaAleman #GraduateHouse #HarleenKaurDhillon #injunction #Israel #LGBTQ_ #OccupyUW #Palestine #universityOfWaterloo #UW #wilfridLaurierUniversity

EDITORIAL NOTE: UW’S RESPONSE TO OCCUPY UW IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE STUDENTS AND TO THE COMMUNITY

https://communityedition.ca/editorial-note-uws-response-to-occupy-uw-is-disrespectful-to-the-students-and-to-the-community/

#2SLGBTQIA_ #AdrianQuijano #GazaHouse #GeovannyVillalbaAleman #GraduateHouse #HarleenKaurDhillon #injunction #Israel #LGBTQ_ #OccupyUW #Palestine #universityOfWaterloo #UW #wilfridLaurierUniversity

STUDENTS OCCUPY GRADUATE HOUSE GREEN; DEMAND UW DIVEST, DISCLOSE, BOYCOTT

https://communityedition.ca/students-occupy-graduate-house-green-demand-uw-divest-disclose-boycott/

#AllEyesOnRafah #BronteBehling #ColumbiaUniversity #encampment #Gaza #GradHouse #HarleenKaurDhillon #hateSpeech #Israel #JacindaReitsma #JamesRush #McGillUniversity #MosheGoldman #NicholasJoseph #OccupyUW #OntarioTechUniversity #Palestine #Rafah #RohrChabadCentreForJewishLife #studentEncampment #UmaymahSuhail #UniversityOfAlbertA #UniversityOfBritishColumbia #UniversityOfToronto #universityOfWaterloo #UW #UWVoicesForPalestine #VivekGoel #wilfridLaurierUniversity #wlu