The term “erosion of ownership” stuck with me when I recently came across an article about automakers charging subscription fees for basic features like heated seats or remote start. It put words to something I’ve felt for a long time: the creeping loss of what it means to truly own anything.

This year has been one of challenges and quiet glimmers of hope. It’s been a year where I dared to aim higher, putting my name forward for public service, fueled by a belief that change is possible when thousands of people in my riding, and beyond, were sickened by the lack of empathy, humanity, and leadership from their MP. Though I lost, it’s not the end of that journey. It’s a chapter in a story still being written. Read more…

I believe populism isn’t the problem, empty populism is. Genuine populism listens to people’s concerns and channels them into real solutions, like holding corporations accountable, addressing the affordability crisis, and prioritizing fairness in Canada. Empty populism, however, relies on slogans without substance. I’m here to advocate for leadership that doesn’t just talk but takes action to create a Canada where everyone can thrive.

Almost a year has passed since the onset of unprecedented destruction in Gaza, and genocide of the Palestinian people, and now, attention shifts back to Lebanon. The story seems all too familiar, at least for the Lebanese, a recurring nightmare of conflict that traces back through 2006, 2000, 1982, and even 1978. History repeats itself, relentlessly and ruthlessly. Read More...

In November 2023, I decided to follow my dreams and pursue a political path with the NDP, inspired by a newfound connection with Jagmeet Singh and a deep belief in the party's values. Despite past doubts and setbacks, including turning down a lucrative job to finish my book, I’m committed to creating a vision for myself, my family, and my community. This journey has been challenging, but it’s fueled by courage and a desire to serve. This is why I am seeking the nomination as the NDP candidate in Edmonton Manning. Read More...

I have always been politically inclined, as far back as I can remember. Growing up in Smoky Lake shaped me into a pragmatic person, or at least as pragmatic as I like to think I am. Like everyone, I have made mistakes, learned, and grown, and for many of us, that includes our politics.

Alan Watts, a renowned interpreter of Eastern philosophy, often drew from Hindu mythology to explain profound concepts about life and reality. One of his key insights is the idea of Satcitananda, a Sanskrit term that encompasses the essence of existence: Sat (that which is), Cit (consciousness), and Ananda (bliss)…

In my debut book, “You’re Already Dead,” I take the experience and lessons from my dad’s life, and passing, and delve into some of the themes that come to define our lives. Or I should say, how we live, all intertwined with the transient nature of life. Based on his beliefs, I could have titled the book: “You Only Live Forever.”

As we mark the 162nd day of the ongoing onslaught in Gaza, the heavy weight of sadness has settled over the world, the community around me, and my own shoulders. The barrage of unending horrors, massacre after massacre, and the inaction of our Canadian Prime Minister, along with his Conservative Party counterpart, have led to a profound sense of powerlessness and despair.

Today marks not just International Women’s Day, but also the birth of my eldest daughter. She chose March 8 to make her grand entrance, a week overdue, as if aligning her arrival with the moon and this significant day…

The videos I’ve been sharing on Instagram from Beirut and South Lebanon, inspired by the themes in my book “You’re Already Dead,” focus on the beauty of everyday life. My father captured not every detail, but those ordinary moments between family and friends. It’s these scenes that now strike a chord with me…

I recently read an article from the BBC titled “Why you shouldn’t ask people what they do,” and it got me thinking about a specific chapter in my book, “You’re Already Dead,” particularly the chapter “The Things We Do for Money.” This reflection brings forth my viewpoint about the deeper significance of our interactions when meeting strangers or catching up with old acquaintances.

This guest post, written by a friend from Smoky Lake, explores the journey of finding happiness amidst grief. It recounts their personal experience of losing a father to suicide, struggling with loss and mental health, and eventually finding healing and joy. The story highlights the importance of professional help and the therapeutic power of nature, offering a powerful reminder of resilience and hope in the face of sorrow.

In “116,” I reflect on the devastating events that began on October 7, 2023, and how they resonate with the themes of mortality and resilience in my book “You’re Already Dead.” Amid personal challenges and global turmoil, I emphasize the importance of living with dignity and hope, and the responsibility to make a positive impact in a world marked by conflict and adversity.

In “You’re Already Dead,” a chapter titled “Perseverance,” which was initially written about grief and being lost with where we perceive our place to be in life, can also be interpreted for the age of social media, where the onslaught of positivity can blur our individual journeys. This chapter, and this post, serve as a reminder that our paths of perseverance and self-improvement are deeply personal…

In my recent book’s chapter on purpose, I delve into the complex interplay of existence and meaning that each of us navigates. This journey takes on new significance in our world, increasingly filled with uncertainty and turmoil. I often find myself reflecting on lyrics from the song…

In the sterile silence of his hospital room in the palliative care ward, I stood beside Bayee, Jim, his presence hanging between this world and the next. He spent the holidays here, and now, approaching mid-January 2011, he lay in a coma. The festive lights and songs of December had faded, but the weight of the holiday season lingered, its shadow extending into the new year as we grappled with the impending loss….

Today, I’m going to write about something a bit different from my last posts, but related to them in a way. First, as you know from the blog post “Echoes Of A Last Tear” I mentioned my professional crisis, existential crisis, trauma, grief, and unfinished business from losing my father. Along with the way I was born—a stubborn, entrepreneurial know-it-all—led me to find healing in writing a book…

For years, I often said, “When I finish my book…” or “One day when I write a book…” Now, that moment has extended just over 30 days, and it’s been over three months since I first announced the book’s impending release on Instagram. The world has witnessed significant changes during this time…

In my debut book, I touched on the story of a family pilgrimage to Khalwat Al-Bayada in the summer of 2001, a journey initiated by my father. This pilgrimage, while a physical journey, was deeply rooted in the virtues of my dad’s Druze faith…