The Rășcanu Weekly Update Lesson 23: How to get better at time management By Alex Rășcanu Hello, Getting better at managing our time can make a big difference in our daily lives. If you or someone you love regularly says: "I never have enough hours in the day" or "I feel like I’m constantly behind"... the person may be juggling too many responsibilities - work, family, personal goals - without a clear system to manage them. This creates mental clutter and emotional exhaustion. "Deadlines...
14 days ago • 1 min read
The Rășcanu Weekly Update Lesson 22: Your Legacy By Alex Rășcanu Hello, This week I've been reflecting on the topic of legacy more than usual. Given that my current work involves serving seriously ill children and their families, end of life and legacy-related conversations happen more often than in more common environments. One other reason for reflecting on the topic of legacy is the fact that I'm preparing to facilitate an #ExperienceTO historical tour of High Park in a few weeks, and I...
22 days ago • 1 min read
The Rășcanu Weekly Update Lesson 21: Reset in NatureBy Alex Rășcanu “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” ― John Muir In the midst of deadlines, screens, and back-to-back obligations, it’s easy to drift from what truly matters. I’ve found that spending time in nature, even just for an hour, acts like a reset button. Whether it's a walk in the woods, a moment by the lake, or feeling the sand between your toes, the natural world has a unique way of silencing the...
27 days ago • 1 min read
The Rășcanu Weekly Report Lesson 20: Jane Jacobs and the Power of ObservationBy Alex Rășcanu Good morning, This week’s lesson comes from the legendary urbanist Jane Jacobs, whose ideas challenged the way we think about cities, communities, and public spaces. Through her influential writing, such as The Economy of Cities, and her life’s work as profiled in Eyes on the Street, Jacobs showed that vibrant, safe, and economically dynamic cities are built by the people who live in them, not just by...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
The Rășcanu Weekly Report Lesson 19: Your Vote MattersBy Alex Rășcanu Good morning, Your vote is not just a right; it’s an opportunity to shape the future of Canada.The federal election, which is set to take place on April 28, sees Canada's political parties face off in 343 ridings (including five new electoral districts). As Canadians, we are given the rare privilege to have our voices heard through our vote. If and when we don't exercise that power, policies and decisions end up not...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
The Rășcanu Weekly Report Lesson 18: ThankfulnessBy Alex Rășcanu Good morning, It’s easy to get caught in the cycle of what’s next: the next meeting, next milestone, next meal. But one practice can radically reframe everything: thankfulness. Not performative gratitude. Not just the “thank you” you say in a rush at Tim Hortons. I’m talking about pausing to really notice, to let appreciation settle deep in your chest and then express it. In a city like Toronto, where hustle is the default and...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
The Rășcanu Weekly Report Lesson 17: Focus is a ChoiceBy Alex Rășcanu Good morning! I’ve been thinking a lot about focus lately—how hard it is to stay locked in, and how easy it is to get pulled in many other directions."Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to focus." - Alexander Graham Bell Most of us aren’t short on time—we’re just letting too many things steal our attention. Whether you’re trying to grow your career, build a...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
The Rășcanu Weekly Report Lesson 16: Build a Community Through Bold ActionBy Alex Rășcanu Good morning, While preparing to facilitate the #ExperienceTO: Dufferin Grove Historical Tour on Saturday, I realized that we can learn from the story of the Denison family. In 1792, John Denison, a British army officer, arrived in Upper Canada (today's Ontario), determined to build a new life. He secured land, developed infrastructure, and played a key role in shaping Toronto’s early communities. The...
2 months ago • 1 min read
The Rășcanu Weekly Report Lesson 15: Intentional Choices Create Lasting ImpactBy Alex Rășcanu Good morning, While facilitating the latest #ExperienceTO historical tour on Saturday, I realized that there's a lesson do be drawn from Robert Home Smith who is best remembered today for his development of the Toronto neighbourhoods Baby Point and The Kingsway, as well as the Old Mill Restaurant. Robert Home Smith’s approach to planning Baby Point was rooted in foresight and care. He didn’t just...
2 months ago • 1 min read