Dominique O'Rourke

Art: Instant empathy booster

I am currently working on a project about art and its impact on community belonging – one of the most significant determinants of well-being. That’s how I came across a book called Gifts of the Muse* which explores the personal and social benefits of exposure to – and participation in- art. One aspect that intrigued meContinue reading “Art: Instant empathy booster”

Taking the civil out of civilisation?

I love words. I love the history of words and discovering new things about them. For example, when I realised that “benediction” literally means to give a good word it completely shifted the context of benediction from something we receive at church to a blessing we can all extend. This week’s “a-ha moment” came whenContinue reading “Taking the civil out of civilisation?”

Empowering the champion within

I haven’t written a blog post here in eight months, partly because I was working on Special Olympics Ontario 2016 Provincial Spring Games and on a report on CFC and TrueSport Report: Sport and belonging for Community Foundations of Canada. So imagine my surprise when I found that the last blog post is about whyContinue reading “Empowering the champion within”

Why returning ribbons is cheap, disrespectful and destructive

I’ve been troubled by the story of NFL player James Harrison returning his kids’ participation trophies since it surfaced in August. CNN called it his “war on the trophies kids get for simply showing up and playing a sport.” The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker says he’s very proud and supportive of his children, but believes everything in life should be earnedContinue reading “Why returning ribbons is cheap, disrespectful and destructive”