Philosophy

On time.

“Time is eternity that sees its own implementations.” – Plato

I know I have been posting a lot about Portugal in the past couple of months, but there was more to the trip than just photographs and style. I would say that out of any vacation I have been on, this one had me reflecting the most, especially in regards to time. The idea of time wasn’t really on mind until we reached the town of Evora. As I mentioned in a previous post, Evora was a very quiet town. So quiet in fact, that hardly any people were seen wandering the streets, and restaurants closed rather early. Many guidebooks and websites recommended this city because its old town is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. But what really drew me to Evora was its chapel made out of bones, Capela dos Ossos. Anyone who knows me well knows that I have an affinity to bones and death. Yes, it may seem really morbid and bizarre, but it’s definitely the philosophical wonderer in me. The chapel did not disappoint. Seeing the rows and stacks of bones and skulls caused me to reflect on the small amount of time that each person has on Earth. Our time is short, but it can be profound. What we do with our time while we are alive is important. We can live our life with a negative attitude, or one that is positive. We need to make the best out of the situations we are given. The impact that one person in one period of time can make, can affect the world for hundreds, or maybe thousands of years. This reflection was the reason why the chapel was built, to ponder about our limited existence.

After our visit to the bone chapel, Brandon and I continued to roam the city, in which we saw another one of its landmarks, a Roman temple known as the Templo de Diana. Seeing this large ancient structure had me thinking about how old it was, and how it was still standing, though in ruins. It was constructed in the first century CE, almost two thousand years ago, and here I was in 2018 looking up it its magnificence. I would be surprised if a structure built today would be around for tourists to gawk at thousands of years from now. But what if that were to happen? It’s interesting for me to consider my place in the timeline of our planet. Am I near the end, or am I merely the beginning? What will stand and remain in the future? Will these what we consider to be ancient structures, disappear? Once again, time was on my mind. And this temple was not the oldest artifact that we saw.

Brandon and I took a 20 minute drive out of the city to see Almendres Cromlech, a megalithic site built two thousand year before Stonehenge. While some people may look at the site as just a bunch of big rocks, I saw it as something humbling and beautiful. Built around 5500-4500 BCE, the site was a just a small glimpse into humanity’s past. What exactly were these rocks here for? Why were they arranged this particular way? Historians have their assumptions about community gatherings the sun and moon’s movements. While I stood in awe of these structures, I just kept thinking about time as a whole, and once again my place in it. As someone who struggles with anxiety and can too easily get caught up in a moment, it’s important for me to remember that time goes on. As George Harrison sang, “Life flows on within you and without you”. So, what did I learn from all this reflecting? Well for one, I learned that I have to make the most of my time. I need to savour and enjoy it. I need to pass on my knowledge and experience to others. Time can feel like it’s moving slowly or quickly, but it really is just constant. Our time will end one day, but time itself won’t.

Where are you going in such a hurry traveler?
Stop … do not proceed;
You have no greater concern,
Than this one: that on which you focus your sight.

Recall how many have passed from this world,
Reflect on your similar end,
There is good reason to reflect
If only all did the same.

Ponder, you so influenced by fate,
Among the many concerns of the world,
So little do you reflect on death;

If by chance you glance at this place,
Stop … for the sake of your journey,
The more you pause, the more you will progress.

by Fr. António da Ascenção

Philosophy

Five years.

“For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.” – Carl Sagan

In the first few weeks of grade nine, I couldn’t help but notice the cute guy whose locker was directly across from mine. Eventually I would venture to the music room during lunch to see him play guitar with his friends. Soon enough we too became friends and were even in a band together. But there was something else between us, something special. My mother told me best friends make the best partners, and she was completely right. Fast forward to now, and that cute guitar player is my husband and today we are celebrating five years of marriage. We’ve been through a lot together, and every moment has made our relationship and love for each other stronger. Every year since we were married, we have made it a tradition to travel on our anniversary. From Amsterdam, to Berlin, Bologna, to Hvar, we mark this occasion by celebrating us and the love we have for each other. Marriage, like travelling, is full of adventures, and I look forward to all the ones we will share on this journey together.

Happy 5 years, Brandon! I love you SO MUCH!

1 year anniversary in Amsterdam

2 year anniversary in Berlin

3 year anniversary in Modena

4 year anniversary in Hvar

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Philosophy

On identity.

“In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity.” – Erik Erikson

As I sit and type this, I feel angry, upset, anxious, and incredibly disappointed. I just received the news that I will not be teaching Philosophy next year due to union staffing regulations. While some may see my reaction as overdramatic, I certainly do not. I started the Philosophy course five years ago, and have been the only teacher at our school to teach it. It started as something I was interested in, but now it has become a huge part of my life, and most of all, my identity. I never claimed to be the best Philosophy teacher ever, nor the most knowledgeable. I didn’t major in Philosophy in university, but Drama in Education and Community and History. I was 17 years old when I chose what path I wanted to take in life, and though I do not regret the incredible education I received in my undergraduate, the 32 year old me probably wouldn’t have made all the same choices. If I were to go back to school, I would definitely pursue a degree in Philosophy. But that isn’t feasible in my life right now. So I read, and I educate myself. Being a Philosophy teacher has taught me more about myself than almost any other milestone I have gone through.

So what’s the point of me spilling out all this information? It all goes back to identity. As individuals, we change over time. Our interests, passions, and hobbies can be vastly reshaped during different periods in our lives. The 17 year old me is both similar and different to the 32 year old me. I still consider myself to be an altruistic person, and still love acting, rock music, and cats, but now I have a greater interest in fashion, travelling, powerlifting, and yes, philosophy. My identity has evolved. I think more now than I used to about life, death, and beauty. Maybe it’s the byproduct of aging, or the new goals that I continue to set for myself, but whatever the reason, it’s who I am today. By not teaching Philosophy, I feel like part of me is being stripped away. I find meaning in my life by discussing metaphysical and ethical views with my students. The lessons I developed for the course are, at least I think, the most engaging and creative ones I’ve ever made.

I now have to ask myself, what’s next? Seeing another person teach a course that I started and sustained absolutely breaks my heart. But I can’t let this affect my self identity. We are who we want to be. We can’t let others dictate how we identify. Whether I teach philosophy or not, I still must find it to be part of who I am. I will still be The Petite Philosopher, regardless of my teaching schedule, and I must keep reminding myself of that. I have the power to shape my own identity, and I can’t let politics and bureaucratic stipulations get in the way. One’s own self identity is possibly the only reality indubitably known and I certainly know that philosophy is, and will forever be, a part of mine.

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Philosophy

On fantasy.

“We are what we pretend to be, so we must be very careful what we pretend to be.” – Kurt Vonnegut

The more I engage in social media, the more I become hypercritical of myself. Getting caught in a cycle of negative feelings related to comparing myself to others or how many likes or follows I get can be mentally exhausting. This led to a conversation I had with my husband, in which he made a very valid point about fantasy. When I take a look at the bloggers with the most followers, they’re travelling the world (what feels like nonstop), and are wearing designer clothes and accessories that are beyond what I can afford. Initially I thought my blog would attract readers because I’m a “real” person, but with a lack of followers I concluded that maybe I was wrong. What I think people want is this fantasy my husband spoke of. We rather look at things we can’t and might never have, rather than what is attainable. Why is that? Why can’t we be satisfied with what we have? Whether it’s looking at these bloggers, or reading a Hollywood gossip magazine, we fantasize as a form of escapism. We love to imagine ourselves living a life of luxury and can sometimes feel a sense of satisfaction living through someone’s carefully curated Instagram feed. Constantly being drawn to fantasies, however, can be detrimental. We begin to compare ourselves to others, and develop feelings of inadequacy. What I find particularly interesting is that when celebrities are dealing with personal issues, we derive pleasure from it. Their flaws make them seem more real and we feel superior when they fail. I think this makes the fantasy feel like it could be possible for us.

The human mind is an interesting thing. We can analyze and predict behaviour, but we can only truly know what’s going on inside our own heads. One person’s fantasy could be another’s nightmare. Like most things, fantasy is subjective. Though it can be fun to imagine, where does that truly get us? Sure, fantasies can motivate some people to achieve their goals, but at the same time I think it’s important to be realistic. I’m not saying that one should give up all hope or not bother, but consider that what we see are in fact fantasies. They aren’t entirely real and that’s the problem. The blogger who is constantly jet-setting the globe in Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Prada? She’s mostly likely just as messed up as the rest of us, so why put her on a pedestal? I guess what I’m try to articulate is that we need to live out our own fantasies, not someone else’s. Though it can be fun and entertaining following the latest celebrity gossip or the blogger who seems to have an unlimited income, we need to enjoy what we do have instead of using up too much of our energy fantasizing about what we wish we could have.

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Philosophy

On strength.

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” – Marcus Aurelius

Back in January I post a video of me deadlifting five reps of 240lbs on my Instagram account, and received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from my friends, family, and followers. The next day at work, some of my colleagues mentioned they saw it and commented how strong I was. I consider those compliments to be the best ones I have ever received. To be called “strong” is a lot more fulfilling than be called “pretty” or “cute”, or even hearing someone admire my clothing choices. Last year I wrote a post chronicling my fitness journey and philosophy, and now, over a year later, I am proud to announce that I have exceeded my own expectations in powerlifting.

My journey continued this school year with an announcement from a student wanting to put together a powerlifting team. I responded that I would be more than happy to be the teacher sponsor, in which former students would volunteer to coach the students. On the first day we met in the weight room at school, I was elated to see so many people interested, especially girls. Every Wednesday we meet after school and work on our squats, bench press, and deadlifts. It has been such an overwhelmingly positive experience for me to see the students gain strength each week. I think it is truly amazing what the body can do, and to be able to use it in such an incredible way is very rewarding. It’s not just the physical results that I’m proud of, but the mental strength I have gained as well. By lifting heavy weights I have become more motivated to be the best I can be. I have gained so much more confidence in myself, not just in the way I look as a result, but in pushing myself to achieve my goals by adding more weight or volume to my workout. The community I’m within has also been a positive factor, because everyone is so encouraging and supportive. Though some of the students compete in a powerlifting meet, I find that none of them are antagonistic towards each other. When we’re together in the weight room, we cheer each other on, as well as motivate one another to do our best. This sense of camaraderie also contributes to both the physical and mental strength gained.

I am so proud of my students, my husband, and myself for making the decision to powerlift. I never imagined myself being associated with an athletic team at school, and now I couldn’t imagine life without it. Powerlifting has become a part of my weekly routine, and though sometimes I’m feeling lazy and tired and don’t want to lift, I never regret it after I have finished. While cardio videos left me sweaty and exhausted, powerlifting leaves me proud and accomplished. And to me, there’s no better feeling than that.

A special thank you goes out to our wonderful coaches and mentors, Jacob Ritchie and Mikey Nguyen, for their dedication, motivation, and expertise!

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Philosophy, Travel

Of Montreal.

“Life is an unfoldment, and the further we travel the more truth we can comprehend. To understand the things that are at our door is the best preparation for understanding those that lie beyond.” – Hypatia

In 2010 I was given an incredible and unforgettable opportunity to travel to Europe on a school history trip. It was only my second year teaching, and it was my first time travelling overseas. Our first stop was Paris, which is a city that will forever hold a special place in my heart. Along with over 45 students and four other chaperones, we experienced the beauty of France and Belgium while seeing what was learned and taught about the Canadian contributions in World War I and II. It was this trip that officially gave me the travel bug. Fast forward several years, and I have had the immense pleasure of joining students on many other trips to England, Netherlands, Italy, New York City, and back to France and Belgium. Just this past week another opportunity arose for myself and my husband to chaperone my school’s band trip to Montreal. Believe it or not, but it was my first time travelling outside of Ontario in Canada, which may be surprising considering I teach Canadian history. The experience was just as positive as the previous school trips I had been on, not just because I was able to explore a new city, but to see it through the eyes of my students as well. Whether it’s a quick local field trip, or a larger excursion like this one, getting students out of the classroom and experiencing the world around them has to be one of the most beneficial learning experiences. For some it helps them develop skills needed to be independent, but also reinforces that learning is continuous and doesn’t always have to be inside a school. From enjoying symphony performances, to seeing views from Mount Royal and the beauty of Notre Dame Basilica, our journey to Montreal was certainly one to be remembered!

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Philosophy, Travel

On art galleries.

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” – Pablo Picasso

I was in grade six went I first visited an art gallery. It was the Detroit Institute of Arts, and my mother insisted that my sister and I join her for a day of art. Though I’m not a visual artist myself, there was something about seeing the variety of pieces on display that captured my interest, and most of all, heart. Now at 32, I have seen some of the greatest masterpieces in several museums throughout the world. From the Louvre in Paris, to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, I never get bored wandering through the labyrinths that are art galleries.

In Alain de Bottom and John Armstrong’s Art as Therapy, the idea is proposed that art galleries should be organized by theme in order for the visitors to be better able to connect with the art through the stories they tell, revealing more about what it means to be human, rather than a study of technique and design. What de Bottom articulated well is that art galleries should go beyond simply displaying art for aesthetic purposes, but to give way to self reflection and understanding. It is for this reason that I enjoy visiting art galleries so much. Yes, it’s nice to see pretty paintings, but it’s a lot more engaging and sometimes even challenging, to see myself in the art, and consider how an artist can capture an idea so well. To see what is happening inside my mind visually represented on a canvas or through a block of marble can be comforting.

In January my husband and I had the opportunity to visit the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto. Though we travel to Toronto a few times per year, we haven’t dedicated much time to its museums. What I enjoyed most about the AGO was its focus on Canadian content. The European masters often cast a shadow over North American artists, so it was a pleasure to see art created from a Canadian perspective, celebrating our country’s landscape, as well as its Indigenous traditions.

Though not everyone can be a skilled painter or sculptor, we can all share in positive aesthetic experiences by visiting art galleries. If one is to avoid preconceived notions of institutionalism and art critic snobbery and enter an art gallery with an open mind, you are bound to not only learn about art, but yourself and the human condition as a whole.