Perspective - Winter 2010

Why is it that each year, I say the same thing—where did the year go? I look back, see the dips and the highlights in the year and wonder, what was accomplished, what do I remember? Sadly, as I write this, my thoughts are with the Winnipeg family who lost their parents while driving back from a taekwondo competition in Yorkton.

Two of the four kids in the van are going to be fighting for things the rest of their lives. Their 19-year-old son has taken on the role of parenting and it is just not right. This is something that should not happen to anyone at any time. It is times like these that we really have to look at what we have in life—look at our children, look at our spouse and be thankful for what we do have, not hoping for what we want to have.

Time continues to race on by and year after year it seems to speed up. I am probably, more than most, guilty of not taking time to be in the present. Too often I get caught up in what is next, instead of what is now. Think back to the Norman Rockwell paintings of the kid sleeping on the hill next to his dog or the holiday feast being put down at the table with the family. Times have changed and I just hope that even though things speed up, that we take a brief moment to sit back, put up your feet, be in the moment and be thankful for what we have, what is around us and the people that surround us. No things can ever replace family, friends and time with them. I, for one, need to take this advice and follow it. Do you? It is fitting that our cover feature this issue focuses on someone who is at the heart of giving back in our community. Rick Frost is someone who can relate to my previous comments on a few fronts. He has witnessed much heartache, and yet each day he is committed to making our community a better place. He touches people that he will never see, hear from or know about personally, and does it with humility, gratitude and a sense of giving back. He is a true Winnipeg icon in that he does not ask for reward; he just wants to know that he is leaving our community a better place tomorrow than what it is today. Thank you to Rick, the Winnipeg Foundation and all of those organizations that help those who need it most. You really do make our city great.

On that note, I bid you adieu for another year. This year has been a wild one, that is for sure! I hope that your holiday season is full of fantastic times and the creation of great memories. I wish all of you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011 and I look forward to spending another year communicating with you on the pages of Winnipeg Men Magazine as well as on our websites and my video blog.

Happy holidays, Winnipeg!

Glenn