ignite 'n inspire

the bus. A mode of transportation that I used to see but never sit in. Being from Markham, Unionville, I was an oblivious child who was fortunate enough to have my parents drive me around to places I would want to go and visit. There was never an urge to step into these mysterious blue vehicles that were known to me as 'pricey' and 'foreign'. Stepping into this new stage of life, my parent were unable to drive me to school every day...and marked the beginning of my new discovery in what happens inside these loud steaming viva buses. In this place, people come, people go. They listen to music, some rap, others classical. Having their own destinations in mind, the bus seems to be a temporarily stop to an ever-changing world of jobs and opportunities that lies in commercial building and these social institutions. I have discovered that it is a place of rest and communication. Every now and then, there will be the one individual, that speaks loudly in another language tal

This summer has been an exciting roller coaster, one filled with laughter, love, adventure and growth. Volunteering at numerous summer camps have given me an opportunity to learn how to deal with individuals with various characteristics and backgrounds. But most certainly, I was granted with a lifetime privilege to work alongside my brother and sister for four whole weeks. As the summer dies down and the autumn winds begin to blow, signs of school and stress begin to linger around in malls and amongst my conversations with friends. The countdown begins and as the CNE closes its door, I seem to be enjoying my time in silence, contemplation and quiet conversations. When Oprah interviewed Nelson Mandela, he said that 27 years in prison gave him the opportunity to think . That really spoke to me because this week felt like my personal time of 'reflection'. Instead of running around the church taking care of kids, I got to think about my commitment on leadership teams, see what God

As individuals who are fundamentally sinful and imperfect, I have come to realize that conflicts and arguments that occur within teams/co-workers aren't always preventable. In fact, in a typical family, conflict always occurs. I mean, who has ever seen a family where two brothers don't yell or boss each other around? In today's society, where we are often incredibly foolish and self-centered, fights have become a form of communication. The same goes for a leadership team or group. I strongly believe that it is through these tough conversations that we learn more about our own flaws and the importance of listening. Coming from experience, serving in many teams before, I have been confronted through long (and maybe loud) conversations that YOUR way may not always be the fastest, easiest and best route. And remember, at the end of the day, no matter how heated the argument may have been, you guys are still a family, a group of people placed together with a single purpose! May