2023 was a year of growth, but also one of challenge. Many of us have been tested, and we have risen to the occasion, but that does not make the hard days any less difficult.

The uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has hit us all like a ton of bricks, particularly over the past week, as each day brings a new development.

​This past July my wife and I had the opportunity to hike a portion of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. For eight days we walked an average of 25 km per day in 40-degree Celsius heat. While the experience was physically challenging, it was spiritually rejuvenating and rewarding.

Let’s face it, few people approach the mediation table with unbridled glee. If you’re a party at a mediation session, it often means you’ve suffered in some way – be it financially, emotionally or physically.

Negotiations can go bad in a hurry for any number of reasons - clashing personalities, inflated egos, misunderstandings, incompatible priorities, negative emotions.