My childhood friend, Patricia, has been a great source of wisdom in my life. I've often deferred to her advice when faced with a challenge. (Kim, Powell River, BC)

Jack Canfield. Wisdom. (Zee, Powell River, BC)

Two of my favourite writers, Dinty Moore and Tobias Wolf, at Antioch University. Wisdom in abundance. (Heather Gordon-Young, Powell River, BC)

I recently spent a morning at a downtown church making and serving pancakes for whoever dropped in. Some of the guests are day labourers, some are underemployed, and some may be unemployable. All were polite, most were friendly, and gracious with their thanks. Rather than saying "Thank you", one older gentleman handed me a note that read "Mathew Chapter 25 Verses 31 to 41", and asked me to read that passage later in the day. I can't recall anyone ever having asked me to do such a thing before. I put the note in my pocket, and found it when I was going to bed that evening. I looked up the passage, not really having any idea what I was going to find, but it turned out to be a more meaningful "Thank you" than any other I had received. It also helped me recognize that my reasons for being there weren't really quite on target. I had gone down to show support for the church and the volunteers, not to support the people that partake of the breakfast. I had missed the point a little. (Charles, Edmonton, AB)

My beautiful and wonderful grandmother First real remembered insight: Standing at the edge of the road age 5 or so realized that I was a person. A separate being who had thoughts and feelings. My Dad was my hero and the spiritual anchor of our family I felt seen and acknowledged by him. Where my mother was - I was not - our values and outlooks so different. My sweet grandmother looked like a beautiful Mrs Claus and was another hero She was happy, loved children and laughed a lot. She made occasions feel special, hiding coins for us in her pretty cakes. Her bathrooms housed the most wonderful smelling English, hard milled, soap. She liked me. I loved her. Later in Life: Inspiration became my poetic muse. Poetry flowed through me and sometimes made it to paper Some of it sadly lost to me now. I have known the joy of I-Thou encounters. These take the form of laughter, authentic conversation , love for others and felt love. This sustains me. I dream of realized self discipline, music, good books, wonderful conversation, life- long learning, great films, fitness, dance and service, beautiful places no matter where, greater environmental sensitivity by decision makers, social justice, and more. (Cynthia, Powell River, BC)

Deciding to write the book I've just finished was the bravest thing I've ever done. The project is nearly finished. Terry Wolverton, my mentor at Antioch University worked hard with my writing while I was a student finishing my MFA. And then, when I began to write the book, and nearly gave up she encouraged me. "Heather where is your book?" she wrote to me. "The world is waiting for it." That was the wind I needed to keep going. She invested herself in my work first because she was a teacher and then, years later, because she believed in me. I want to honour her dedication and the wisdom she endlessly brings to my writing and my life. (Heather Gordon-Young)

When I was a much younger woman, and in the midst of many decisions and difficulties, I turned to my high school friend's father, Tom Steadman, and his wife Linda. I couldn't seem to get my thoughts together on my own then. This happens, I know now, in the midst of tragedy. Tom Steadman was there to encourage and guide my decisions when my family was not able to be. He was difficult and opinionated and wise. And although we often disagreed, I trusted him to think clearly. As it turned out, this was one of the best decisions I made then. I'm thankful to Tom and Linda Steadman for being there with wisdom when no one else was. (Heather Gordon-Young)