All posts filed under: Community

Stew in Uncomfortability

Published by Colin Nanka

A Friday throwback post from the summer of 2009. The first time I can truly say I stretched my limits is when I trained for the NYC Marathon in the fall of 2002 with one of my best friends from Edmonton. We took what traditionally is a four to six-month training window and cut it down to three so we could hit the Nov 2nd competition date. There is something about the unknown, fear of failing, that drives you. Unsure if you will be able to complete the goal and in a measure of time that lives up to your standards.  It was hard work! Six runs per week, three hour runs on Sunday afternoon, and when adding in post-recovery time (stretching, soaking, eating, nap), it turned into an all-day event that finished with an early bedtime. We had hilarious side stories and lots of learning that developed through the challenges overcome. The next challenge for me was a move from Edmonton, AB (the prairies) to Toronto, ON (the big urban city) the following year. …

What do you do, when no one else is watching?

Published by Colin Nanka

Digging back into the archives – I wrote this in 2009. Many people can get by in life by taking the easy route, winging or faking there way through life situations.  How much energy or effort does it take to go the easy route?.  In most cases, I would say 80%.  It takes a lot of ingenuity, creativity to mask the holes in your story.  These are good characteristics when used in the proper setting.  So why not just do the actual work?  How does it make you feel knowing you haven’t done what was asked?  How does it affect your confidence?  I find for me, I get a little nervous, I think about it all day long, I have stories in my head wondering how my boss, colleague or friend is going to react.  These “realities” are usually far worse than the actual reaction…and that is usually just disappointment. What you do when no when else is watching, is the true mark of your character.  What you probably don’t realize is that what you …

Annabelle

Published by Colin Nanka

I had the opportunity over the holidays to reflect on past blogs and dug up 10 or so ones I am going to share in the coming months. This was from my time in Toronto. I have seen her around my neighborhood a few times but have never really had the opportunity to talk to her. Well, that’s not true; I have had the opportunity, but have not had the stones to introduce myself. Today is a beautiful Saturday morning, the sun is shining, there is a warm breeze and people are in good spirits. I thought if not today…when? Sometimes she is sitting around the corner enjoying the view, and in a much more approachable situation than today. At this moment she is actually walking away from my neighborhood, but what the hell. “Good morning, beautiful day isn’t,” I say. In a quiet voice, she responds acknowledging that she is enjoying the day as well. She is a little more reserved than I thought she might be. We talk about the area and the …