The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge - Your Turn -- What Makes You Happy?

Episode Date: January 23, 2025

Also today one person who doesn't sound that happy -- yup, the Random Ranter!

And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here. You're just moments away from the latest episode of The Bridge. It's Thursday, that means it's your turn. At a time when things look so bleak out there, what about your happy place? Where is it? Well, you sure got answers on that. Coming right up. And hello there, Peter Mansbridge here again. And yeah, the question today for your turn was, well, it was very different than the kind of questions we've had for the last while. This one was, where's your happy place and how do you find it? And well, surprise, surprise, you had answers and lots of them. A lot of answers today coming in from across the country and from a lot of first-time writers.

And that's always glad to see. So let's get right at it. If we're going to squeeze all these in, we better get right at it. And the first one comes from Jen Dennis in Baysville, Ontario. That's a little south of Huntsville in Toronto's cottage country. I'm a volunteer at our local Out of the Cold program. Every Tuesday evening, I work with an amazing group of volunteers from our community who come together to provide a hot homemade meal for anyone who is in need of a good dinner or just some good company. Our guests each week range in age from six months to 92 years.

On these nights, I'm blessed to have the opportunity to make the rounds, chatting at each table with people whom I now consider dear friends, getting the latest scoop on how life is going on for each person and each family. I make the rounds of my volunteers, too, catching up on their week and getting to know them better. I come home feeling happy and thankful. Robin Robinson in Saskatoon. My playlist of selected groups from famous, beloved opera carries me to a happy place. Any amazing singing accompanied by beautifully rich, timeless music, most joyful. The flower duet from the opera Lakme, most peaceful. Spiegel in Spiegel translates as mirror in mirror by the Estonian composer Arvo Part.

I haven't heard of either of those. I'll be looking them up. Christine McDonald, LaSalle, Ontario. My happy place is being grateful that those I care about are happy, well, and thriving. And also, I do not watch the news. My gosh, we hear that from a lot of people these days. Barb Demaree in Vancouver. To quote William Arthur Ward, an American writer who died in 1994, happiness is an inside job. We too often look at sources outside ourselves to bring us happiness. We can all choose to focus on what we already have in our lives that brings us happiness versus what we don't have. Greg Lang in Bell River, Ontario. That's half hour east of Windsor. Happy Place. A bottle of single malt scotch.

Family and friends around a campfire. Jane Fitzwilliam in Toronto. For us, it's a country vacation property in Quebec, near family and friends. Got that image in my mind. Chris Grubin in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. Like a lot of Invu'ali'uit, my happy place is being on the land with my family, a reconnect to a pristine, unbothered environment where we can reset and get back to traditional ways.

Without getting too political and considering the extremely high cost of living in the Arctic, it seems to be getting more and more difficult to practice my traditional In Vueluit lifestyle. Chris Newton in Severn Township. That's a couple of hours north of Toronto. A happy place for me is bundling up and going for a good old-fashioned Canadian winter walk

while enjoying my favorite podcasts. Well, bundling up has been the key word for a lot of Canadians in the last few days. Man, it's been cold. Phil Ball in London, Ontario. Quiet time. Meditation. Experiencing new travel with my life partner, time with granddaughters, family time, a bottle of red, being out in nature and not thinking of what is going on right now in this world.

Joseph Murdoch Flowers in Iqaluit, Nunavut. We had quite a few from the north this week, which is great. Joseph writes, many things make me happy, including my family, friends, and good health. But the one I want to share is my job. I'm the co-executive director at Kayuktuvik Community Food Center in Ikelavit. We serve 300 to 500 meals per day, and we run all kinds of food programs. We aim to increase access to country foods, such as caribou, seal, Arctic char, and matak.

That's whale meat consisting of the skin and blubber. Through innovative programming like our country food boxes and our newly opened country food boxes and our newly opened country food store. When your job means you get to create, celebrate, and enjoy food with community members, it's hard to think of any job that could be better. Frank Wang in Surrey, BC. I get my joy from cooking and eating delicious food at home. I put on a podcast or some music, then proceed to leisurely work on my ingredients in the kitchen. After a short while, I get to sit down and enjoy an appetizing meal, often with a beer or two.

Very few things in life feel as good as tasty food getting in one's belly. Frank attached a few recipes, by the way, including ones for roast duck, grilled shrimp, and pistachio ice cream. That's quite a mix. Michelle DeMolle in Edmonton. I find my happiness in the small amounts of daily life. I make it a priority not to experience halt. Am I hungry, angry, lonely, tired? That's H-A-L-T, halt. If I take care of those things, two experiences bring about a sense of deep happiness. One, spending time with my loved ones, doing something menial and mundane. Two, being alone in nature and as I'm Canadian, dressed appropriately for the weather. Mark Nicholson in St. John, New Brunswick. While many things bring me happiness, such as quality time with my family, as of late I find my happy place by walking in nature with a good

podcast or an audio book. The bridge is often my companion on one of these walks. My favorite place to go for a stroll is at Rockwood Park, which I believe is the largest municipal park found within city limits in Canada. Hmm. Tourism New Brunswick says it's one of the largest municipal parks in Canada. 890 hectares, that is large. Laura Plant in Chilliwack, B.C. Laura writes, I'm fortunate to get to spend time with my teenage daughter

and her friends as well as be involved with the school parent advisory committee. I see how accepting many young people are today, how they want the world to be different, how hard they work, how much fun they have just hanging out together. I have hope for the future because it is in the hands of this group of young people. That makes me happy. Garth Wilson in Bowmanville, Ontario, just east of Toronto. I'm blessed because of Henry and his sister Chloe.

Those are Garth's dogs. He sent several pictures, all cute. They kind of look like golden retrievers. He goes on to say, each morning he makes me sure I'm ready for the day. We take our 3K walk, which he tries to stretch each day without fail. When I come home from work, he's waiting at the door, mostly with a ball in his mouth and always makes me smile. He really is my best friend. We had quite a few letters that said a dog is part of being happy. Here's another from

Mary Philpott and Roy the dog in Abbotsford, B.C. Every day, rain or shine, my young dog and I venture out to one of several trails close by in the Fraser Valley. We spend at least a couple of hours together, noticing different things as canine and human, seasonal changes, greeting others of like minds, or quietly enjoying the surrounding mountains. His unbridled urge to run, to swim, to chase brings joy and daily laughter. The physical activity and experiencing natural elements bring me both peace and happiness. So that's Central and Western Canada coverage, so just one more on dogs from Atlantic Canada.

Gillian Blackmore in St. John's, Newfoundland. I find happiness when I'm walking my dog, Walter, and breathing in the fresh, blustery Newfoundland ocean air. This is great. You know, you get a real feel for the country. And I mean feel, weather feel. Ed Kuntz in Calgary. I recently decided at the age of 85 that what really makes me happy is still being able to be busy when so many people younger than myself are no longer able to be busy. What keeps me busy, you might ask? Listening to the bridge. Working at woodworking using my CNC router.

That's a computer-controlled cutting machine. Making various gadgets using my 3D printer. Maintaining my lawn and vegetable and fruit garden. Singing in one of our church choirs. Keeping the financial records of a small charitable society. Now you know why today I walked over 7,000 steps and climbed 27 flights of stairs in an effort to stay happy and hopefully healthy.

Don Dufour in Ottawa. In a few months, my sister and I will mark the 30th anniversary of the sudden and unexpected passing of our then 38-year-old dear brother, Mark. The tragedy impacted us and our parents in so many ways but one important impact has stayed with me since that sad day in March of 95. I'm happy for each day I wake up and see the sunrise. Although I have experienced much personal joy over these past 30 years with meeting and marrying my loving husband and raising two wonderful children. At the base of it all is my soulful happiness of being alive. Terry Sims in Victoria, B.C.

I'm 56 and play in a 50s-plus game of morning duffer hockey twice a week. These are men of Chinese, Israeli, Indian, British, Australian, American, and Japanese ancestry all playing a good game of shinny. There's always coffee and muffin and good chats after the game. To me, this is successful multiculturalism at its best. This fellowship of Canadian men fills me with great happiness. Michael Artendale in Sudbury. How can I get to be my happy place? I find that it's easy, as easy as doing things

that disconnect me from the world, whether it'll be swimming laps in a pool or putting some miles on my bike or even some throttle therapy on my motorcycle or sled. It can even be padding into the bush to the point where I have zero bars of service. I feel the internet has caused a lot of our misery due to too much information, and for me, disconnecting from that makes me happy. Julie Smith Allen in Lethbridge, Alberta. When the reality of the world is too much, I escape into music. Music is like time travel, transporting me back to joyful, carefree times with a sharpness that only music and certain smells and tastes can do. Thanks to the magic of my Spotify-liked songs, my happy place is always within reach.

Mary Gick in Ottawa. I have two routes to being happy. One, being outdoors, for example, cross-country skiing in winter. Two, playing music with other people, for example, playing the banjo with a good fiddle player. Anne Patterson Welsh in Parksville, BC. That's on Vancouver Island. A few years ago, when it became obvious that COVID would be a long-term problem, I made the decision to permanently work from home and to connect with my clients only by telephone or online. After about a year of this, I was feeling in quite a funk and quite lonely. My social interaction was so limited.

So I decided to check out local hiking groups, a relatively COVID-safe activity, and ended up joining Soul Sisters. It's been a wonderful addition to my week. I've learned about so many trails in the area, deepened my connection with nature, and developed wonderful new friendships. Adrian Lee in Unionville, Ontario, just north of Toronto. My happy place is watching mindless reality TV. The more mindless, the better. From Jersey Shore to Real Housewives to any reality dating show, it's a great escape. Watched on Fast Speed for efficiency.

Fast Speed while listening to your pod as well, but pod definitely not mindless. Hope not. Linda Keith in Richmond Hill, Ontario. That's also just north of Toronto. For me, it's jigsaw puzzles and podcasts together. Pure therapy. Podcasts, The Bridge, The Science of Happiness, The Jan Arden Podcast, Hidden Brain, Inside Europe. Puzzle sources. My retirement group has a puzzle exchange, but there are also community centers with puzzles for trading and secondhand stores, cheap and cheerful. Michael Pash in Victoria.

Our world is becoming very ugly. The news is getting harder and harder to watch. For the first time in my life, I seriously filter content and minimize exposure. As a political junkie, I've never done that before, but for my mental health, it's absolutely necessary. I have two different kinds of happy places. One is a favorite location, the other a simple mental exercise. The physical space is Middle Beach Lodge in Tofino. Boy, anything in Tofino. I've been going up there once or twice a year for almost 30 years.

My mission is to walk all of the beaches in Pacific Rim National Park, to let the endless white noise of the Pacific Ocean wash everything out of my head. The mental space is a little different. Do something just for yourself every day, not in a selfish way, but in a nurturing way. Go for a walk. Look at a beautiful day. Read a good book. Listen to music.

Go to the art gallery. Feed your soul. Jim Livingstone in Toronto. I'm pleased by a wonderful self-deprecating sense of humor inherited from both my parents. I'm blessed by those. I've learned not to take myself too seriously. I'm always happiest when I know I'm being funny.

Of course, it helps if I get a laugh, giggle, or smile from others, but I'm okay if I just amuse myself. Ken Pellishaw, Newstead, Ontario. Getting a nice piece of wood sanded down with 220 grit paper and just admiring how smooth it feels. Cindy Duchesne Giroux in Beaumont, Alberta. That's about 15 minutes from the Edmonton airport. Exercise has always been a source of joy and stress for me, whether it's a bike ride, a walk, a hike, or a gym session. Being in motion helps me put life's challenges into perspective.

I truly believe that exercise has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. Chef Ware in Toronto. There's lots of ways to get to my happy place, knowing that I've got my girlfriend, our two little cats, fresh coffee, good conversation, the Leafs. But only when they win. They didn't last night. They got hammered.

And recently, the game Stardew Valley. All the video game fans out there know exactly what I'm talking about. It is a farm life simulation game with a ton of heart and charm where you inherit your grandfather's dilapidated farm. You can raise chickens, milk cows, mine for war, fish, chat with the townsfolk, and pretty much anything else you can think of while you help to rebuild the town's community center. It's a fun little case, sorry, it's a fun little oasis that helps people reduce the stress of big city living. Cindy Zampa in Airdrie, Alberta. As a retired teacher, counselor, and art therapist, I can

personally attest to the fact that where our attention goes, our energy flows. I'm happiest when my attention is focused in the moment. This happens most frequently when I'm engaged in creative activities, a great discussion, or when I'm playing with my grandchildren. At ages three and five, they are the masters of living in the moment. Reg Ash in London, Ontario. John F. Kennedy is credited with saying, nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike. From a young age, we gain a sense of independence on our bikes, exploring the areas where we grew up.

Whether riding on my own or riding in a group, exploring local roads or different areas of our amazing country, I've never finished a bike ride in a worse mood than when I started. Kathy Pryor in Baden, Ontario, or Baden. I guess it's Baden. It's German ancestry in that area near Waterloo. My happy is when I am in my happy place sewing. It's not fancy. It's a basement room with one window well. I get the afternoon sun when it is shining. However, it is filled with my fabric stash, projects to make for people I love,

and all of my sewing gadgets. My sewing machine takes pride of place. I listen to your podcast when I sew. What more could I ask for? Shannon Bradley Green in Cochrane, Alberta. That's just west of Calgary. Her response is poetic, and this is part of it. I'll open the door to find my little grandchildren who bring me profound joy at any time. I will open the door to find my husband with flowers in hand to brighten the cold winter days.

I will open the door to find my children filled with questions about the future and to talk together and find comfort in our family love. I will open the door to find friends with activities to chase away the gloom. I will open the door to sing with my choral community and bring happiness to all who care to listen. I will open the door. I love it. I love these letters. They are fantastic. And as I said, they're coming from across the country, and there's so many first-time writers. Some of the names you'll recognize from past shows, but most of them this week, I haven't heard from before, and it's wonderful to have new listeners.

Let's take our break. We'll take it now, come back with the random ranter who ain't happy, and then we'll get back to happy talk. But first up, here he is. I don't know. First up, we'll take the break, and then we'll be right back right after this. And welcome back. Peter Mansbridge here with Your Turn,

the Thursday episode of The Bridge. Great to have you with us. You're listening on SiriusXM, channel 167, Canada Talks, or on your favorite podcast platform, wherever you're listening to us. It's fabulous to have you with us. We'll be back to your letters on what makes you happy. But first, the random ranter on clearly what's not making him happy this week.

Let's get right at it. I'm glad everyone writing in today has found a happy place. But look, rants don't come from happy places. So let me snap you all back to reality with some random thoughts of mine. First off, Trump. It's only been a few days and already the outrage and chaos has been overwhelming. I mean, the grifter in charge made billions by releasing a meme crypto coin, and then the next day, his wife followed suit with one of her own. It's so gross. If this is what the corruption on day one looks like, what's it going to be like in four years and an unlimited debt ceiling? I can't believe how much

things have changed overnight. We've gone from DEI initiatives to a very, very, very straight up manosphere It's disgusting And the same thing goes for the sudden disregard for science and our environment I mean, everything is about oil again Or worse, coal That's right, in case you missed it Daniel Smith is quietly greenlit open pit mining in the Rockies again God forbid you set up an unsightly wind farm or a solar array Daniel Smith is quietly greenlit open-pit mining in the Rockies again.

God forbid you set up an unsightly wind farm or a solar array, but an open-pit coal mine? Fill your boots. Speaking of Daniel Smith, has there ever been a bigger shill for the oil industry? Look, I get it. Oil is vital, and it's not going away. But she's a fool to believe appeasement will get her anywhere with U.S. oil.

He knows Americans will put up with a lot, as long as they can afford to keep driving their pickup trucks. When the results of his drill-baby policies finally come online, they'll have the potential to drive the price of oil down to the point where oil sands production will no longer be viable. If she really cared about Alberta first, then Daniel Smith would be open to everything from export taxes to contracting the supply, because with every passing day, the importance of Canadian oil to the U.S. economy declines, along with our negotiating power.

Now, when it comes to negotiating power, there's no denying that Chrystia Freeland is a master. Trump's disdain for her says it all, but is that really enough to erase the memory of her being at Trudeau's side for virtually every policy launch? Does she really want to become the next Kim Campbell? Her brand is just too intertwined with Trudeau's to give her a credible chance in a general election. She may have dealt Trudeau the fatal blow, but if she really wanted to be the leader, she should have led the charge to replace him a year ago. I'm sorry, but I'm of the firm belief that the only way the liberals

stand a chance is if they choose an outsider. And Mark Carney is the closest thing they have to that. Now, I know the knock on Carney is that he's not enough of a retail politician to go up against Polyev. And I get that. Carney certainly isn't a politician. He is, however, a world-class economist. He nursed our economy through the 2008 financial crisis, and he did the same for the British economy during Brexit. He might not be a seasoned politician, but he's a very experienced crisis manager. And doesn't that sound like something we might need right now? I don't know about you, but I'm sick of politicians and their political speak. I don't care if it's Trudeau's Rainbows and Unicorns or Polyev's Debbie Downer rhyming games.

They both suck. I get that Carney logged a lot of ivory tower time, but when I hear him speak, he still sounds like a guy from Edmonton. Which brings me to my next subject, Pierre Polyev. When, oh when, is he going to say something of substance? He's still going on about axing the tax and capital gains. And I don't know, with everything else going on in the world, it just seems a little tone deaf to me.

Polyev has always thrived at amplifying outrage, but he's kind of been flat lately. Maybe he's lost his mojo, or maybe it's because, while most Canadians are absolutely against joining the US, the ones that do support the idea overwhelmingly vote Conservative. It puts him in a tough position. I don't think anyone is going to miss Trudeau more than Polyev. He was the perfect foil for keeping his party focused. Finally, and this one goes out to everyone out there, including Peter,

why do Canadians keep posting on Twitter? And why do Canadian news organizations keep posting Twitter links in their stories? I'm sure most of you out there wouldn't dare associate yourselves with Trump's truth social. Well, how is that any different than Elon Musk's Twitter? It's time people get over their fear of missing out and quit Twitter once and for all. And it's time Canadian news agencies did the same. Elon Musk is a bond villain. People need to stop empowering him with their data. And while we're at it, maybe the creatives over at Canadian Counter Tariffs can figure out a way

to add Tesla to their hit list of Kentucky bourbon, California wine, and Florida orange juice. Wow. You know the ranter's not happy when he even attacks me in the rant. Actually, the point about Twitter's not a bad one. I should say the only time that Twitter's used by me or in my name is for the daily social media blast. So it goes out on all social media, or at least the majority of it,

including Twitter. But we'll, we'll think about that. Okay. Let's get back to happy talk. Mark Manchester in Toronto. What makes me joyful and confident is embracing my children and delightful grandkids,

feeling their energy, creativity, and positivity so openly shared. I feel a restored confidence in the survival of our species on this planet, in their presence, but also the blessings of citizenry, which will be bestowed upon them. They are our future. Comfort comes in moments of peace and security like reading a good book. Carefree is how it feels on a sunny day with a decent breeze sailing with a friend or family member all in all happy seems realized when gratitude is acknowledged as in so grateful to be a canadian lenea Vandenberg in Kispamsis, New Brunswick, just outside of St. John.

Since the fall, I've been leaving behind little hearts in the gravel or in the snow, in the trails where I go for my daily walks. The thought of someone else seeing them and making them smile ultimately makes me happy. My heated blanket also makes me very happy on these cold days, I bet. Ann Lumsden. We live in Stouffville, Ontario, but spend winters in Canmore, Alberta. Great hockey day in Canada from Canmore the other day. Hope you saw some of it.

It was fabulous. And Ron McLean. Nobody does it like Ron. I love Scottish country dancing. When the music starts, it's hard to resist the urge to start dancing, to share the laughs, the elegance of the dance, or failing that, the complete distraction of needing to be in the right place at the right time. Works every time.

Kim Pekarinoch. Pekarinoch. Kim Pakernuk Pakernuk in Fort Francis, Ontario that's northwestern Ontario beautiful spot, I've been there dozens of times in my early days as a journalist working for the CBC out of Winnipeg

closest big city is actually Winnipeg four hours away my happy place is a log cabin for the CBC out of Winnipeg. Closest big city is actually Winnipeg, four hours away. My happy place is a log cabin built 80 years ago by my Ukrainian immigrant grandfather on 40 acres in the woods. No neighbors, boat access only, and best of all, no cell service. A close second is the beaver pond up behind our home for the quiet and nature. Long story short, my happy place is away from people.

Mike McNaughton in London, Ontario. What makes me happy is simply having a latte with the milk from our family's dairy herd. A few years ago, I spent time in Australia, and while touring around some on-farm dairy processors, I got hooked on espresso coffee. By the time I got back home, it wasn't long before we had our own espresso machine in the house. Fast forward to today and we now sell espresso coffees to the public with our own pasteurized whole milk. It's fair to say it's changed my life, and no matter what the day is like, I always stop what I'm doing at least twice a day and grab a latte. I've officially become a coffee snob.

Andrew Zettel in Waterloo, Ontario. I'm a musician, a piano player, and singer, specifically. My brother and I have a covers band called The Alibi in Waterloo, where we play a mix of rock, country, and pop music in the local pubs. My happy place is on stage jamming with my brother and friends, and I can often just lose myself in an Elton John or Billy Joel song, especially when the crowd is singing along or dancing. They say, do what you love. Boy, if I could make a go of it, I'd quit my day job to pursue the musical happy place. Michelle Aldrich in Calgary. My grandma taught me to appreciate the little things,

but these are big things to me. Michelle sent a long list. Here are a couple of things on it. Receiving unprompted call or message from our adult children. Delivering a curling rock and seeing it curl along the ice and knowing it's going exactly where it needs to be. When Derek, my personal barista, makes me the perfect latte before I leave for work. He prefers to be known as my husband. Marilyn Wallace from Fanny Bay, BC. The fresh wild waters of the Pacific Ocean are my happy place. My Vancouver Island home is on a

small peninsula bounded by the sea on three sides and a single road that connects me to the world. A short five-minute walk from my house takes me to the sea. On special days, I swim or kayak. On stressful days, I simply perch on a beach log and breathe in the humid, salty sea air. I watch the birds overhead, the seals in the water, and the tiny crabs scurrying beneath my feet. I let myself just be. Be content. Be happy. Marilyn sent a picture of that spot she just talked about and it's fabulous. It's fabulous. Relaxing just to look at the picture.

Kyle Adie in Peterborough, Ontario. She sent a list of what makes,. He sent a list of what makes him happy, which includes my wife and pets, living in the present moment and accepting it exactly as it is, observing nature with wonder and awe, riding my bicycle through a gridlock of idling cars, and the existence of a town called Fanny Bay. Michael sighs in Elliott Lake, Ontario. I ensure my personal responsibilities are taken care of for the day.

That would be going to work on my work days and completing chores after work before settling down for the evening. Then on my days off, it's chores around the house, errands, appointments, groceries, ensuring my family's needs are dealt with, and exercising. Once I ensure my tasks are complete, I relax doing whatever it is I feel like doing. That's what gets me to my happy place. I'm not happy unless I do at least one productive thing every day. Bethany Stay in Arnbrier, Ontario.

That's just outside of Ottawa in the Ottawa Valley. I once asked my husband of 14 years for the things that make me happy, and after a moment he tilted his head just a bit and rhymed off time with family and friends. A good read, a good wine, and good cooking. Could it really be that simple, I thought? Sometimes happiness can feel complex. To attain it can feel elusive. But when you're in it, you know. I have learned it's important to pause for happiness. I pause to include my kids when making pancakes on a Saturday morning, despite the inevitable mess of flour. But with the sunlight filtering into the kitchen, some music on,

and nowhere we need to be except together, it feels joyful. I pause to listen for the birds as I lace up my boots for a walk before my steps crunch through the snow, which seems to blanket the force for an unending amount of time. I pause for a lingering hug from a loved one or friend, one where the extra rub on the back can say more than words about how much they mean to you. Pause to appreciate that happiness can be right there in the warm cup of coffee

while you turn the music up to your favorite song, even if you're in traffic. Kim Crawford in Cambridge, Ontario. You know, that's Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge. Being outside in nature is an instant happy for me, no matter my frame of mind when I set out. Hiking and kayaking are two favorites, but even working in my garden will do it. I grew up right on the edge of a natural wonderland of fields, forests, and even a pond for skating in my backyard. My joy in nature started there and has stayed with me. Wandering

through a forest trail amongst whispering trees, hearing the birds singing and water bubbling along a stream, or in the winter the silence of a snow-laden world. It all brings me real joy. Although I'm happy to wander or paddle alone, sharing with a friend, my grandson, or grandpuppy fills me with peace and gratitude. Great images there in so many of these letters. Jill Kemp in Toronto.

What makes me happy is being creative. I love to bake and make food to share with my family and friends. I enjoy trying new recipes and challenging myself to learn new baking and cooking techniques. Marge Andre in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Well, she's from Richmond Hill. She's now in Trujillo, Honduras. I bet it's real cold there, Marge. To shift my mindset from despair,

I'll grab my camera and go for a walk in nature to see what I can see. Even on a dull and dreary day, I come back with some amazing images that have so often filled me with awe. I'm not a professional photographer, just one who enjoys it. Marge attached a photo she took just on Monday. I think it's an egret, but

might be a crane. Birds are, well they're not my field of expertise. Neither perhaps is reading. Randy pronounced Rondy. Rondy Nesset in Victoria. My family and friends make me happy, but especially my three-year-old granddaughter, Amelia. When we see each other, our faces light up

and all depressing thoughts and world problems disappear. We are totally into each other. Be that with games, reading, running or whatever. I am so lucky. Saw one of my grandkids this week in Winnipeg. Rider. Just at that border point between grade school and high school. Anyway, where are we here? Where's this next letter from? We go down to Kyle Adie in Peterborough, Ontario.

Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. That's my fault. We're already gone. Red Cows. Pierre Roy in Ottawa writes, Happy wife, happy life. Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. That's my fault. We're already gone. Red cows. Pierre Roy in Ottawa writes, Happy wife, happy life. Four words, that's it. Suzanne Hill in Nepean, Ontario.

Live in the moment, in the day ahead. Enjoy my time now. Remember, life is short, and we are all small players in world history. Everything goes in cycles, and our world politics today are just part of a cycle. Good words, Suzanne. Ed Stroder in Gladstone, Manitoba. That's about an hour northeast of Brandon.

I used to work in Brandon. 1967. Not for long. A couple of weeks. Ed Stroder in Gladstone, Manitoba. About an hour northeast of Brandon, as I said. Anywhere on a golf course with my wife and daughter, my cousins, or the dinosaurs. Now, I'm going to assume that what he means by the dinosaurs

is that you can find the odd dinosaur ball. More than the odd one in Western Canada. I didn't know they were around Brandon, too. Matthew Sklarczyk in Vernon, BC. Sometimes the best way to find an answer to a question like this is to define the opposite and the answer becomes clear. Yeah, okay

Matthew. Whatever. Last February, my wife underwent a major surgery and reconstruction to remove potentially cancer causing tissue. She was under the knife for 10 hours with her entire survival held in the hands of a few strangers and some technology. There hasn't been a day before or since where I felt as hopeless, fearful, and anxious. Everything went well,

and she is cancer-free. That's fabulous. Unfortunately, we can't have children, so we're all we've got. I have many material pursuits that bring me joy, and they are important. But if despair is the opposite of happiness, I think most of us could agree that spending as much of the ever-depreciating asset of time with those we love most is truly what makes us happiest. What's important is realizing that before it's too late. So go hug your family.

Right? Michael Zanet in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. He sent a quotation from Alexander Chalmers, a Scottish writer who died in 1834. Someone to love, something to do, something to look forward to. Annika Clark in Burnaby, BC. What makes me happy is a FaceTime call home to my family. Debbie Fletcher in Sutton, West Ontario on the shore of Lake Simcoe.

I run, and if I don't run, I quickly feel out of sorts. Running along and listening to podcasts that keep me updated on the world is my happy place, for sure. Kevin Murphy in Arberg, Manitoba. That's on the Icelandic River, north of Winnipeg. There was a time in my life when everything I dreamed of suddenly happened. Then I discovered that having everything I wanted didn't make me happy.

I understand now that dinner with my family and connection with my friends, my community, and God is where the good stuff comes from. Today, my happy place is built when I struggle, but I maintain hope. The moral is, careful what you wish for. Richard Bird in London, Ontario. I think of myself as a happy person. I believe happiness is a state of mind that must be nurtured. This is what I do. And this is just a partial list of what Richard sent. Practice gratitude. Show appreciation. Be physically active, even better with friends. Help others when I can.

Avoid social media. Listen to music that makes me feel good. Ross Lennox in Calgary. A perfect day is when I'm able to learn five new things. It means that I can look at myself and the world with a new lens. Shale Palawal in Ottawa. There are several things that make me happy. First and foremost, my sons, aged 25 and 23 years,

fully independent, living their own lives. Whatever I hear about an accomplishment they've achieved, it makes me happy. Whenever I see them in person, it makes me happy. I'm very proud of them and the adults they've become. Margo Stevens in Mississauga. Volunteering is filling my cup these days. I've had a 20-year career in the non-profit sector, mainly working on projects overseas, but these days I leverage that experience to serve as the chair of the board of a small, relatively young non-profit that provides arts, culture, and heritage programming in our area.

I've traded the global for hyper-local. I'm meeting people face-to-face, not over a screen from thousands of kilometers away. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see the bridges built between generations and cultures through their involvement in our programs. I encourage anyone who's feeling isolated and helpless in the face of global events to find somewhere very local to volunteer. You never know what joy it may bring. Sherry Moran in Ottawa.

What makes me happy is my friends, which includes many family members. We laugh together, cry together, share perspectives on politics and life, and try to make this world a better place in our small ways. Jeremy Dias in Winnipeg. Giving back to my community brings me immense joy, especially through my volunteer work with the Day of Pink. With over 500 workshops and 40 day-long events planned, I'm proud to help build a brighter future while combating the harmful rhetoric of politicians who ignore the rich diversity of gender identities in Canada. This work feels even more urgent against the backdrop of comments by the American president and the conservative leader in Canada, who this week

denied the existence of gender-diverse identities. Nathan Abdenor in Almonte, Ontario, just west of Ottawa. I can't help but smile every time our toddler tries something new and literally jumps in absolute joy to say, I did it! It's such a wonderful sight and feeling and something I hope she and I can share for years and years to come. We're into the stretch run here, the last few letters. And haven't there been amazing letters this week? Tracy Swift in Whitby, Ontario. What makes me deliriously heart-bursting, dance-around-the-house happy

are the phone calls I receive from my daughters, 18 and 22, on a regular basis, sharing exciting and difficult moments in their life. It makes my heart so happy that we are close, and I'm blessed they include me in their successes and struggles. Dave Leger in Guelph, Ontario. My wife and I are a retired couple and grateful to be in good health and fitness. So what makes me happy is to be physically active in the great Canadian outdoors. Be it cross-country skiing on a crisp cold day on set track, gravel biking on a beautiful

June day, paddling in fall color to a campsite or a coastal hike. Any of these activities are immensely more enjoyable when joined by my wife, adult children, and grandkids. Chris Deneves in Toronto. The first major thing that came to my mind was my wife and me sitting on the couch this weekend in our pajamas, drinking coffee and reading our books of fiction. So what truly makes me happy? Enjoying a quiet day with my wife. Being boring is perhaps the greatest casualty of the modern world. Add my newsletter, The Buzz, to that Saturday morning reading.

Nationalnewswatch.com. You can subscribe there. It costs nothing. You just have to leave your email. Callum Arnold in Ottawa gets the last letter of the week. Whenever I need to get happy, I throw myself into other people's stories. Maybe it's the historian or the storyteller or just the extrovert in me, but whether it's face to face over a coffee or nestled in the covers of a book or on a screen while I lounge on the couch,

I can't get enough of hearing about other people's experiences. Perhaps then it's not too surprising that I always feel a bit better after listening to the bridge. Oh, Callum. So, there you go. Today's letters, on your turn. You know, as a topic, I thought, I wonder if anybody will write on this.

How do you get to your happy place? And look at the letters. Lots and lots of them. These are just the ones that made it to air. There are lots more as well. I appreciate hearing from everybody. I've so appreciated in these last couple of weeks hearing from so many first-time writers. So clearly the questions of the last couple of weeks have inspired you to say, okay, I'm more than a listener. I want to write in as well. And it's great to have had you there,

as well as all the regulars who write some almost every week. It's great to hear from all of you, and I really appreciate it. Okay, tomorrow, it's your turn. No, this was your turn, Peter. Wakey, wakey, buddy. Tomorrow, it's your turn. No, this was your turn, Peter. Wakey, wakey, buddy. Tomorrow, it's good talk with Chantelle Hebert. And joining us tomorrow, filling in for Bruce while the Liberal leadership race is on, is Rob Russo, good friend, great journalist,

currently is the correspondent for The Economist in Canada. So Rob and Chantel will join tomorrow, and we'll have some good talk about the events of the week on the political front. There's, as we know, always something to talk about there. Thanks for listening today. It's been great to share these thoughts with you and we'll talk to you again in about 24 hours