Dr. Michael R. MacDonald This is an update to one of my favourite articles, How to Live a Creative Life When You are "Not Creative'. I wanted to add a few anecdotes and to tie these ideas into the new focus (A Warm Heart, A Strong Mind) of this site and blog. A warm heart and strong mind can help you become more creative. It can help people who are already quite creative. Seth Godin is a prime example. He defines creativity as a generous act of giving something of yourself to the world. I wrote about this powerful idea…

Camille Johnson On behalf of A Warm Heart, a big thank you to Camille for your guest article. In the heart of every community lies the potential to forge a brighter future for its most vulnerable members — the children. These young minds, when nurtured by the collective efforts of their community, can flourish beyond the shadows of adversity.  This article, delves into the multifaceted approaches communities can adopt to uplift, educate, and protect these young lives. From local volunteer initiatives to comprehensive support networks, every action taken is a pivotal step toward sculpting a world where every child has the opportunity…

Dr. Michael R. MacDonald June 2024 I used to get so much done before my retirement. I was motivated and full of energy. I would get up each day and really get going. This is not who I see in the mirror now - what happened to me? Well, a lot of things happened. And probably quite quickly. What Happened Without a daily work routine, you now have little structure to your day. No one is pushing you, no deadlines. You may not even set an alarm to wake up each morning. All of this is a recipe for motivation…

Michael R. MacDonald, PhD It is not helpful to discount or diminish anyone's pain or suffering. By discounting, you are (thinking) or saying to this person, I think you are suffering a lot less than you say you are. What you are saying, with your attitude, is that you know more about this person’s inner experience than they do. This is quite an arrogant position to take, even if you are just thinking it. And, understandably, it is hurtful and offensive. A more useful way to think about another person’s pain is to think about the problem as being more than, not less than. …

Teresa Jackson A big thank you to Teresa Jackson for guest writing this post. You can see more about her, below. In the pursuit of self-improvement and personal development, individuals often find themselves overwhelmed by a flurry of tasks and objectives, risking burnout in the process. However, prioritizing well-being alongside growth is essential. By strategically navigating this journey and maintaining a balance between ambition and self-care, individuals can pursue self-enhancement without compromising their mental and physical health. Let's delve deeper into effective strategies for achieving sustainable personal growth. Set Achievable Goals Establish specific, measurable, and time-bound objectives to guide your…

Michael R. MacDonald, PhD Some of my writings can be a little heavy. So, I thought a big smile from young Michael might lighten the tone. This photo brings up fond memories of my Uncle Irving. Always with a big laugh, he used to call me Michael the Upright. I am smiling as I think of him. He was quite a character and we miss him. Inspired by Barrett Brooks I was inspired to write a little more about my goals and ideas when I read about Barrett Brooks and his exciting new podcast. I recently came upon Barrett and…

Dr. Michael R. MacDonald We can easily slip (or decay) into a life that we do not want. We may not even know how it has happened. Like the saying goes, the life we counted on can “just slip away". Our health can deteriorate. Our mental state can become confused and dull. Our friends and family may get tired of helping us. These are the dangers of a passive and sedentary life. And as we age, the dangers become more real. The choice is ours - every day. Do we want to grow or decay. Feeling Younger Every Day I…

Dr. Michael R. MacDonald Birds do it. Bees do it. Even billionaires do it. This is a take-off on a famous song by Cole Porter, called Let’s do it (Let’s fall in love). I bet you even have that tune humming in your head right now. You can start doing it too by allocating as little as 1% of your estate in your will. You may even fall in love with the idea - and feel like a billionaire. BILL AND MELINDA DO IT Here's an excerpt from a recent Gates Foundation newsletter. This year the Bill & Melinda Gates…

Michael R. MacDonald, PhD Moses Znaimer has been creating magic for decades. His creative work has always been new, edgy and highly successful. The creation of Citytv and MuchMusic are well-known examples. His original vision for television led him to launch several new stations, including Bravo, FashionTelevision, Space and many others. Still going strong, he then created Zoomer Media and Zoomer Magazine. A NEW MOVEMENT And with Zoomer Media, he didn't just create multiple media sources, he also built a movement celebrating our lives and successes as we age. This included his writings on Zoomer philosophy, where he challenges us…

Her actions in life, the lessons her sons took from their time with her, and the play “Casey and Diana” demonstrate the compassion and the defiant kindness of Princess Diana. A couple of months ago, I went to see a very moving play, “Casey and Diana.” It was performed, brilliantly, to a packed house at the Stratford Festival in Stratford Ontario. Casey and Diana told the true story of Princess Diana’s courageous visit to Casey House in 1991. THE COURAGE TO CARE Check out the full story, first published in Boomer Magazine, December 19, 2023.