Introspection, Life Mathew Jammaz Introspection, Life Mathew Jammaz

‘Happy’ New Year

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…

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Politics, Career, Life Mathew Jammaz Politics, Career, Life Mathew Jammaz

The Courage to Try

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...

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Life, Faith, Introspection Mathew Jammaz Life, Faith, Introspection Mathew Jammaz

You Only Live Forever.

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.”

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Lebanon, Life, Introspection Mathew Jammaz Lebanon, Life, Introspection Mathew Jammaz

We are all different. We are all the Same.

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.

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Life Mathew Jammaz Life Mathew Jammaz

March 8

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…

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Books, Lebanon, Life Mathew Jammaz Books, Lebanon, Life Mathew Jammaz

Scenes from the Unseen

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…

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Interesting Articles, Work, Entrepreneurship, Life Mathew Jammaz Interesting Articles, Work, Entrepreneurship, Life Mathew Jammaz

So What Do You Do?

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.

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World, Life Mathew Jammaz World, Life Mathew Jammaz

116.

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.

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World, Life Mathew Jammaz World, Life Mathew Jammaz

Climbing Our Own Mountains

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…

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Grief, Life, World Mathew Jammaz Grief, Life, World Mathew Jammaz

Grief in the Glow: Navigating the Holidays Through Loss and Remembrance

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….

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Life, Entrepreneurship, Work, Books Mathew Jammaz Life, Entrepreneurship, Work, Books Mathew Jammaz

The Magic of Being Your Own Boss

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…

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Mathew Jammaz Mathew Jammaz

A Pilgrimage Beyond Borders

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…

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Introspection, Life, World Mathew Jammaz Introspection, Life, World Mathew Jammaz

The Only Certainty: Embracing Life Amid Conflict and Loss

As I sit down to write this, the heart-wrenching images of the conflict in Gaza, especially the innocent lives lost, weigh heavily on my mind. My recent book, “You’re Already Dead,” alongside the enduring message to “be like Jim,” finds a challenging, almost conflicting place in the face of such overwhelming tragedy…

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Life, World, Introspection Mathew Jammaz Life, World, Introspection Mathew Jammaz

Clouds Over Jabal Al-Sheikh

I wrote, in my debut book, “You’re Already Dead,” about my recollection and experience visiting Lebanon as a seven-year-old in 1992. I hint about my current understanding of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East as a grown man, but in the chapter on community, as I recall my first-ever trip to Lebanon as a seven-year-old, it was one of childhood ignorance…

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World, Life, Books Mathew Jammaz World, Life, Books Mathew Jammaz

Living Amongst Chaos

Finding meaning in day-to-day life, especially when confronted with the harsh realities of the current state of the world, can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Even with the constant barrage of news, opinions, and disturbing videos, it’s important to ground ourselves and our emotions…

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Books, Life, World Mathew Jammaz Books, Life, World Mathew Jammaz

Shadows Of War

Both of my parents left Lebanon in 1976. They were young; my father at the time was only 19. They met here, fell in love, got married, and started a family. But they both were driven to leave Lebanon—my father on his own, and my mother with her parents and siblings—because of the looming threat of the war in Lebanon…

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Books, Life, Introspection, Grief, Music Mathew Jammaz Books, Life, Introspection, Grief, Music Mathew Jammaz

My Father’s Kite

The song “Kite” by U2 resonates deeply within me, reflecting the bond I share with my dad and the profound transitions in my life. Its lyrics mirror the lessons he instilled in me — the delicate balance between control and surrender, steering our destinies while embracing life’s unpredictabilities. Now, that very kite symbolizes my journey, a journey intertwined with the teachings of my father…

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Grief, Life Mathew Jammaz Grief, Life Mathew Jammaz

Fatherhood

In the areas my father thrived in his role as a dad, I drew inspiration. Where he stumbled in fatherhood, not from intent but simply from not knowing, I saw those gaps. For my children, I’m determined to fill them.

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