Remembrance Day

Every year our community like thousands across Canada holds a Remembrance Day ceremony at our Veterans Park. Every year hundreds of children from newborns to those in their late teens are there. Remembrance Day, observed every year on November 11th, holds deep significance in Canada, as it commemorates the sacrifices made by those who served in the military during times of war, conflict, and peacekeeping missions. For children under the age of 18, it is an essential day to learn about Canada's history, the values of peace, and the importance of remembering those who gave their lives to secure the freedoms we enjoy today. By understanding and participating in Remembrance Day, children gain important lessons that shape their character and worldview.

1. Learning About History

• Remembrance Day offers children the opportunity to learn about the history of Canada’s involvement in major conflicts, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and peacekeeping missions. Through stories of bravery and sacrifice, they begin to understand the impact these events had on the country and the world.

• Schools often incorporate lessons around Remembrance Day, teaching students about the significance of battles such as Vimy Ridge and the role Canada played on the global stage.

• By understanding this history, children develop a sense of pride in Canada's contributions and appreciation for the individuals who shaped the world they live in today.

2. Honouring Sacrifice

• The act of remembering those who gave their lives in war teaches children about sacrifice, courage, and duty. Many soldiers were just a few years older than today’s teens when they went off to fight. Understanding the stories of young people who put their lives on the line helps children grasp the seriousness of war and the importance of standing up for peace and justice.

• Participating in Remembrance Day activities, such as wearing poppies or attending ceremonies, instills in children a respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It reminds them of the human cost of war, which should not be forgotten.

3. Understanding the Value of Peace

• One of the most important messages of Remembrance Day is the value of peace. By reflecting on the devastation caused by wars, children learn about the importance of working toward a peaceful world. The day provides a chance to discuss how conflicts can be resolved without violence and why it’s essential for countries and people to work together to avoid the horrors of war.

• For children, this lesson in peace translates into everyday life, teaching them the importance of kindness, empathy, and resolving conflicts in their own lives.

4. Fostering Gratitude and Reflection

• Remembrance Day encourages children to reflect on how fortunate they are to live in a time of relative peace. It allows them to see the privileges they enjoy—such as freedom, security, and education—as the result of sacrifices made by earlier generations.

• Through reflection, children can also develop a deeper sense of gratitude, not only for those who served in the past but for the peacekeepers and members of the armed forces who continue to protect their country today.

5. Building a Connection to Community

• Remembrance Day ceremonies, whether at schools, in local communities, or through national events like the one held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, help children feel connected to something larger than themselves. These ceremonies are a shared experience that fosters a sense of unity, reminding them that remembering is a collective responsibility.

• By participating in community activities like laying wreaths, attending parades, or simply observing a moment of silence, children understand the importance of remembrance as a tradition that binds Canadians across generations.

6. Promoting Critical Thinking

• Remembrance Day also encourages critical thinking in children. They learn to question why wars happen, how they can be prevented, and what lessons society can learn from past conflicts. These discussions allow children to explore complex topics like justice, freedom, and human rights, helping them form their own views about the world and their role in it.

7. Encouraging Empathy and Compassion

• Remembrance Day allows children to put themselves in the shoes of others, fostering empathy for the families who lost loved ones and the soldiers who endured hardships during war. Learning about the struggles faced by people in the past—and the challenges still faced by veterans today—helps children develop compassion and a desire to support others, both in their community and beyond.

Ways to Involve Children in Remembrance Day:

• Wearing a Poppy: Encourage children to wear a poppy in the days leading up to Remembrance Day as a symbol of respect and remembrance. Explain the meaning behind the poppy and the story of John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields.”

• Attending a Remembrance Day Ceremony: Take children to a local ceremony or watch the national ceremony broadcast from Ottawa to help them feel part of this collective remembrance.

• Creating Art or Writing Letters: Many schools invite children to create Remembrance Day art or write letters of thanks to veterans. This activity helps personalize the experience of remembrance and fosters a deeper connection to the day.

• Reading Books About War and Peace: Sharing age-appropriate books about World War I, World War II, and other conflicts can help children better understand what soldiers went through and why it’s important to honour them.

As a former teacher, I believe it is important for our society that children under the age of 18, continue to be reminded that Remembrance Day is a time to learn about Canada’s history, honour the sacrifices of others, and reflect on the importance of peace. By participating in Remembrance Day activities, children develop a deeper sense of gratitude, empathy, and responsibility. They begin to understand that the freedoms and opportunities they enjoy today were hard-won and that their generation must continue promoting peace and remembering the sacrifices of those who came before.

Warning signs you are not ready to transition to retirement you are emotionally detached from yor future 1

Many of us fear retirement, and our fear creates a mindset where we are not emotionally invested in what lies ahead so we avoid thinking about how we will spend our retirement. This is an important warning that we are not prepared for the transition from work to retirement.

When approaching retirement, emotional detachment from the future can create a sense of uncertainty, anxiety, or even indifference toward what lies ahead. To have a rich and fulfilling retirement I believe it is essential for each of us to foster a positive emotional connection with our future, so we can look forward to retirement with enthusiasm and purpose.

To help you gain a positive emotional connection to retirement, I suggest you start with a vision board. A vision board is a powerful tool for visualizing your future. When you create your vision board, include images, words, and quotes that represent the kind of retirement you desire—whether it's travelling, starting a hobby, spending time with family, or volunteering. This tangible representation can help you feel excited and emotionally invested in what’s to come. Online tools like Canva allow you to create digital vision boards easily, or you can do it the traditional way with magazines, scissors, and glue. Another method to help you gain a positive connection is by practicing meditation or guided visualization, These can help you emotionally connect with the future. When doing your guided visualization, spend time imagining how your day-to-day life in retirement might look, focusing on the feelings of joy, relaxation, or accomplishment that come with it. Apps like Headspace and Calm offer guided meditation sessions, some are specifically designed for life transitions, such as retirement.

When you are creating a vision board, or doing guided meditation, you are starting to define what you want to accomplish in retirement, setting goals can create excitement and help you create an emotional investment. Start with smaller, short-term goals (e.g., learning a new skill, or joining a club) and then set bigger, long-term goals (e.g., traveling to a new country, writing a book, or completing a personal project). Websites like Life Goals Magazine or SMART Goals templates can help you structure your retirement goals in a way that feels achievable and motivating.

Sometimes retirement dreams can feel overwhelming, causing emotional detachment due to their size or complexity. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps, which makes them more tangible and actionable. Many resources are available to help you create S.M.A.R.T. goals to help you. For example, if you dream of starting a business, begin with a small project, or take a course to explore the basics. Coursera and edX offer courses on various subjects, from starting a business to creative writing, to help you pursue lifelong passions in retirement.

Retirement offers flexibility that you may not have had when you were working. Rather than fearing the abundance of time or feeling disconnected from the future, embrace this flexibility as a gift that allows you to explore interests, learn new things, and develop at your own pace. Create a flexible weekly or monthly schedule that balances activities you enjoy (like exercising, socializing, and hobbies) with new opportunities to explore interests. In your schedule build time for mindfulness. Sometimes emotional detachment arises from living too much in the past or future. Mindfulness helps you stay grounded in the present while developing an appreciation for what lies ahead. By focusing on the "now," you can better align with your hopes for the future and take positive steps toward them. Books like "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle or mindfulness apps such as Insight Timer can help you practice being present and emotionally engaged with your future.

Warning sign that you are not ready for retirement resistance to change (2)

 Many of us fall into the trap of thinking that retirement is a time to slow down or stick to activities we are already familiar with. A structured mindset can limit our ability to try new things. We need to set flexible retirement goals that leave room for exploration. Rather than focusing solely on traditional retirement activities like leisure travel or relaxation, think about goals that involve creativity, learning, or service, such as starting a small business, writing a book, or engaging in community service projects.

Retirement is the perfect time to explore passions that may have been set aside during the working years. Being flexible with time, responsibilities, and priorities allows us to dive into pursuits we truly enjoy without feeling constrained by the structure of our previous lives.

Start by writing down long-held dreams or unexplored hobbies. For instance, you could start painting, gardening, mentoring others, or even embarking on an entrepreneurial journey with a small side business. Online resources like Skillshare can introduce you to creative and business skills.

While having a routine can provide structure, being overly strict can lead to boredom and dissatisfaction in retirement. Routine is important for our sanity, so maintain some elements of your routine (such as exercise or social activities) but remain open to spontaneous plans, such as impromptu trips, visits with friends, or trying out new restaurants and experiences. Tools like Meetup or travel websites like Airbnb Experiences can introduce you to new social activities and travel adventures.

In earlier posts I talked about how important it is not to become socially isolated isolation, so stay in touch with others through community events, and group activities. Remember that retirement can be an excellent time to build a wider social network, which helps combat loneliness and keeps the mind engaged.

Retirement offers the flexibility to embrace a sense of adventure—whether it’s through travel, new hobbies, or a second career. Some of us feel hesitant to explore unknown territories, but changing your mindset can help you discover that retirement is a time of rediscovery and excitement. Start by exploring new places in your community. Take weekend trips, go on nature walks, or plan international travel if feasible. Resources like Road Scholar offer travel experiences designed for retirees, blending education and exploration.

Change is inevitable, and how we respond can shape our experience. Flexibility allows us to embrace change rather than resist it, which leads to more fulfilling and dynamic retirement years. Think about the times in your past when change brought positive outcomes. Perhaps it was when you moved away to start college, perhaps it was the time you bought your first car, or had your first apartment. Keeping a journal or engaging in reflective practices like meditation or mindfulness, can help you open to new experiences.

A structured mindset can limit the joy and opportunities that come with retirement. Flexibility is the gateway to fully enjoying the freedom that retirement offers. Some resources that can help are Calm.com or Headspace.com: Mindfulness apps that can help with managing anxiety or fear of change. Or LifeReimagined.AARP.org: Offers resources for those looking to create new paths and manage major life changes.

Warning sign you are not ready for retirement is Resistance to Change (1)

If you have a hard time adapting to change or thrive on routine, retirement can feel disruptive. An inflexible mindset may prevent you from embracing the flexibility and opportunities that come with this life stage.

Retirement offers a unique chance to reshape how you live your life, pursue new passions, and experience personal growth. However, entering retirement with a rigid mindset can be a significant barrier to fully enjoying this phase. Flexibility is key to making the most of retirement, as it allows you to adapt, discover new possibilities, and maintain a sense of purpose. Many of us have spent decades following a structured routine—whether through work, family responsibilities, or community roles. This often results in an attachment to routine and a fear of change, leading to a structured approach in retirement. This mindset can create resistance to new experiences and opportunities.

In an earlier post, I talked about those of us whose identity is tied closely to our careers or past roles To us, retirement can feel like a loss of purpose. A structured mindset might push someone to try and replicate their previous life instead of exploring new avenues, limiting personal growth and fulfillment.

Clinging to old habits and ways of thinking can cause retirees to miss out on the many new opportunities that come with having more free time, fewer responsibilities, and greater flexibility. Whether it’s new hobbies, friendships, or even second careers, pre-formed thinking can close doors.

As you approach retirement it is important to change your mindset, one way to do this is to encourage yourself to adopt a growth mindset, where you see retirement not as the end of something, but as the beginning of a new chapter full of possibilities. Focus on the idea that learning, personal development, and creativity don’t stop with retirement—they can be the most vibrant during this time. For example, you can explore courses, workshops, or activities that promote lifelong learning, such as taking up a new hobby, learning a language, or attending educational lectures. Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or local universities often offer classes tailored to retirees.

During your life, you have been adaptable and now that you are approaching retirement you need to understand that  being adaptable is one of the greatest strengths in retirement. We all talk about change and how important it is and perhaps how disruptive it can be. We need to remember that change is a positive force that can lead to new experiences and personal growth. Adaptability allows you to adjust to fluctuating health, financial situations, or shifts in family dynamics with more ease and confidence. Explore local clubs, volunteer organizations, or recreational activities that offer opportunities for social engagement, new friendships, and skill-building. Explore volunteering through platforms like VolunteerMatch or join community programs that keep you active and socially connected to help you adopt a new mindset.