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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

ADAM OLSEN: Take a Deep Breath and Recharge ... and ... A Good laugh is Medicine for the Spirit


PART ONE:  “Take a Deep Breath ... Recharge”

Over the past few days I have been reflecting on the Spring legislative session. Frankly, the debate on Bill 10 (the income tax amendment Bill for LNG Canada) took a lot out of me.

The work in the legislature continued for the week following the final vote but admittedly I was not at my best. The truth is, the debate was emotionally draining. No question that I found some catharsis in writing about the process and reflecting on the ups and downs of life as an elected official. But once we broke for Easter, it all caught up to me.


When I decided to start publishing a daily blog post, I did it for times like this. So often we see our elected leaders confident and brash. We can feel their ego enter the room seconds before they do. However, we also are a vulnerable little person hiding somewhere in the dark recesses of our minds. 

This is the essence of the balance I have been exploring in these posts. Elected officials are public targets that are often built up and just as often knocked down. But, we are people. Although we don't often show our vulnerabilities, we feel them. And for the past few days, I have been feeling it.

It's nice to be able to stand against the fence and watch Silas play baseball and to travel to Salt Spring to reconnect with a community that, while is so close geographically, feels so far away when I am in the legislature.

These two weeks on either side of Easter provide an excellent opportunity to recharge and rebound. It's better to turn towards the vulnerability than to try to run away from it, because it's very fast and, in a long run, it will always catch up to you.


PART TWO:  “A Good Laugh is Medicine for the Spirit”

Ever heard of Nate Bargatze? In my opinion he is one hilarious comedian!

I don’t mind admitting this about Nate because, from what I have seen so far, his humour does not require the frequent use of vulgar insults and profane rants. My list of previous favourite comedians, though, cannot be identified in this blog lest my evolving sense of humour be judged to harshly.

Comedians have an important place in our society. They are a giant mirror that reflects "us" back to ourselves, testing our edges, pushing the limits and exercising the taboo. They poke, prod, test and twist social norms, finding the silly in the serious. Most importantly, they give us an opportunity to cleanse our minds and our spirits with a good laugh from deep down in our bellies.

Some comedians draw laughter out through shock and awe. For Bargahtze, it is about timing and pace. In his Netflix special, The Tennessee Kid, he adds a slightly different perspective about global warming. He's noticed how far we have come. Comparing the earth to all the other planets he acknowledges, "they haven't even started yet, and we are just about don!”  Nervous laugh for a serious issue.

But this post is not about a specific comedian or a recommendation. You might be annoyed by something that makes me laugh.

This post is about seeking out something you find funny and making yourself cry with laughter. It feels really good to have to get down on the floor and roll around laughing until your abs hurt.

A good giggle and a satisfying snort are medicine for our soul.

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