This summer I loved to watch monarch butterflies in my garden, feed on the milkweed and pollinate them. It was a beautiful form of a mutualistic relationship between butterfly and plant. The scene made me think of human allyship and how it is different from mutualism in nature. Being an ally is a conscious
The term “inclusive excellence” emerged in the 1980s and is gaining more traction among universities to seek out ways to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), both administratively and culturally, within their institutions. By contrast, “research excellence” is a term that surfaces regularly in academic environments and has been around for a lot longer.
The act of hoping in the midst of moral distress is an act of resistance. As noted by Rebecca Solnit in Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities: “Resistance is first of all a matter of principle and a way to live, to make yourself one small republic of unconquered spirit. You hope for
The start of a new calendar year is a time to reflect on the past year. And the start of a new lunar year always makes me think about how to be open to possibility. The start of a new moon cycle nudges me to consider what needs to be wrapped up from the last
I am looking forward to spending December holidays, and ringing in the new year, with family and friends. After two years of spending New Year’s separated from them, due to COVID, I am especially grateful to be reconnecting with them in person. During our extended periods apart, I have deepened my appreciation for how important
There are lots of definitions for social infrastructure in the realm of planning and policy. Most explanations of social infrastructure focus on physical infrastructure with a social purpose, like education/schools, health/hospitals, and recreation/swimming pools. Missing from many examinations of social infrastructure, especially those connected with capital projects, are people; instead, people are the focus
An entire season has passed since I last posted, so it is time for an update! I pressed the pause button this summer and spent the time rejuvenating my own health and well-being. I also reflected upon the past two years at Viswali Consulting and our practice of fostering systems change. I am amazed
Faced recently with personal uncertainty, I decided to take my own advice noted in my December 2021 blogpost “Practices For Managing Uncertainty.” However, this time I took more time to recognize the feelings of fear and vulnerability that also emerged. As the saying goes, “The best laid plans… often go awry,” and over the past
In May 2021, I was inducted into the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) College of Fellows. Being named a Fellow of the CIP is the highest award that the Institute can give to a planner. I am grateful to my nominator and to all those who submitted letters of endorsement. I was asked by
Reflect. Connect. Act. Together. Plan with purpose and design change, starting with yourself. Welcome! This is a blog about getting to the heart of planning with purpose and designing change through a practice that involves reflection, connection, and action. You’ve come to the right place if you are curious about human-centred planning, career mentoring, community
