Synergy, as the name implies, was chosen because this publication could only be accomplished with cooperative action between like-spirited individuals; and for the reason that it’s very purpose is to promote the exchange of ideas and stories to promote wellness in all areas of our lives… body, mind and spirit. Synergy is created when we are working together, sharing resources and developing symbiotic relationships.
Within the pages of this site, you will find people sharing their stories and experiences with the hope that you will be inspired, empowered and from time to time uncomfortably provoked to look further into a topic or path. The contributors range from professional authors to amateur writers, and business owners to local artists. Each edition highlights a person who has inspired others simply by living their passion. Click on the above icons to explore our six article groupings... features, health & wellness, mindful living, ponderings, the radio show and spirit.
To inspire humanity to make empowered, conscious choices in all areas of life, for ......
Synergy Magazine provides a venue for community members to both share and learn from each other's experiences in a solution-based forum of expression. Synergy promotes growth, well-being and mindful living; and attracts readers, writers and ......Radio By The Seat Of Your Pants
CHLY Volunteer Programmer Profiles As a youngster growing up in the northern community of Houston, British Columbia, Ron Makowichuk didn’t have a lot of listening options; it was...
Sensitive Soul
I hear the sounds that nobody else seems to notice. The picking of a finger nail, the crunching of potato chips, the cracking of bubblegum, breathing. I notice the small movements and...
La Que Sabe
LA QUE SABE Oh wise woman, la que sabe, keeper of the knowledge Share the visions of your world held in your heart and mind Tell the stories, sing the songs, of wisdom, soul...
Humanity Man: George
It’s been almost a month since I watched the coroner load George into his extended black van and drive away. Now, I didn’t know George all that well. He was a neighbour to where...
SoulSpace: Transform Your Home, Transform Your Life
“SoulSpace: Transform Your Home, Transform Your Life” by Xorin Balbes (New World Library), ISBN 978-1-60868-037-5 Xorin Balbes is an award-winning architecture conservator,...
Finding Your Beauty
My daughter had an interesting way with ‘beauty’ when she was younger. “What is your beauty?” she would ask. The meaning, I eventually realized, was more in line with our conventional...
Community Bicycle Co-op
The United Nations has recognized 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives, and Nanaimo is well on its way to representing itself proudly in this regard. Opening in March, a...
Food: Arable Land, Local Food, and Social Evolution
Until recent discussions about food security, we rarely thought about agriculture — the soil, the water needed, the sun, the farmer. Our thinking has been something like this: It’s...
The Remembered Dance: Acts of Courage or Betrayal?
Was this a betrayal, or was it an act of courage? Perhaps both. Neither one involves forethought: such things take place in an instant, in an eyeblink. This can only be because they...
The Peculiarly Spiritual Life
I doubt that path ever ends. I didn’t used to know this. In my line of work, I’ve met a lot of wise spiritual souls. I’ve had long talks with more than a thousand, I’d bet....
Ramblings of an Old Flower Child - After Pain
I realize that everyone has a story to tell. It’s just a matter of how, when and where you tell it. And I believe that it must be told. It’s in the sharing that we receive at least...
Social Justice: Poverty in Nanaimo
“If the poor weren’t so conveniently invisible, maybe we’d come to our moral senses and devise a national strategy for eliminating poverty.” Toronto Star, 2007. Imagine yourself...
Unbelievable, but Undeniable: Genocide in Canada
I am moved to write this blog because of Minister [of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development] Duncan’s outrageous remarks that residential schools were NOT cultural genocide....
Climate Change and Our Gardens
As passionate gardeners, we keep wondering how the changing climate is affecting our gardens. We therefore noticed when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated its plant hardiness...
Spring Projects
Every spring, I take on a significant landscaping or outdoor project. After months of seemingly endless darkness, I crave working outside. Finally, the days have become long enough...
Community Psychology Takes to the Air
Dr. Paola Lake, registered psychologist, established her practice in 2004 after moving from Ottawa, Ontario. Shortly after settling into west coast living, she received a call from...
At What Point Do We Stop?
The debate about the Northern Gateway Pipeline reminds me of a time when my white aluminum boat got hopelessly stuck in black floating gobs of bitumen doing research in on huge waste...
Beyond the Utopian World of Consensus
Synergy is a word that means a great deal to me. But there are times when it just can’t be achieved by goodwill alone. Three years ago my husband and I moved into a co-housing...
“What is Your Permanent Address?”
“What is Your Permanent Address?” (for the original print version complete with photographs, click here) Toronto apartment for six months Agincourt farm house for four years Ottawa...
Trauma Out Of Time
It is only fairly recently that the idea of transgenerational recovery has made its way into therapeutic fields. The critical need to look back, in order to move forward intelligently,...
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- September 2008
- July 2008
- May 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- November 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- November 2005
- September 2005
- July 2005
- May 2005
- March 2005
- February 2005
2012: The Mayan Calendar and You
A Cumberland Bear
A Lantzville Couple’s Fight for the Right to Grow Food
A Tale of Empowerment
Acupuncture & Body Care Clinic – A Natural Solution
alexa linton awareness change CHLY chris semrick communication community conscious dirk becker economy environment fear Feature food green healing HEALTH helena green humanity man kelly murphy Lantzville life local love lynn thompson mary ann moore Mission Nanaimo neill neill nicole shaw nutrition purpose ramblings recipe relationship semrick society SPIRIT spiritual sustainable svensson tsiporah Vision water yoga