It is here – not just there.

Daryl HattonPersonal, Politics, Social issues

I had a reminder today of how lucky I am. My Uber driver today was a really nice guy. Moved to Vancouver from Tehran to lead the way for his family. We got to talking about the current situation in some depth and how Trump’s incompetence has made it worse. With the Internet out, he hasn’t talked with his family for days. Just before we arrived, he shared that he has nightmares every night that he’ll never hear from his wife and mother again (both still in Tehran). His eyes filled with tears. I was honored that he felt safe …

The Road to TEDx

Daryl HattonConnectionPoint, Entrepreneurship, Personal

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.”   H.W. Murray The role of startup CEO is challenging both personally and professionally. The variety and depth of problems you work on are incredible. Not only do you get to collaborate with amazingly talented and motivated people, but together you end up creating a business out of thin air. If you are lucky, it may even become one that changes the world in a big way. This is deeply satisfying. But the icing on the cake is that, along the way, there are many opportunities …

Stress is killing us

Daryl HattonHealth, Personal, Social issues

A friend of a friend committed suicide yesterday. This is not his failure; it is ours. We, as a community, have let him down in the most painful of ways. The chaotic state of the world (pandemic, politics, environment) is incredibly stressful. Some, like this young man, are not handling it well. Sadly, he successfully hid his distress and his actions were surprising. We didn’t figure it out until it was too late. And we all are damaged by his loss. We can and must do better. This stress surrounds us, assaults us, damages us. It is having profound effects …

Eulogy for Darlene Grunder

Daryl HattonPersonal

I’m Daryl Hatton – Darlene’s eldest child. I’d like to share with you some stories of my mom and what I’ve learned from her. Darlene Marie Shorten, was born New Year’s Eve, 1937. In thinking about how she lived her life – this seems like the perfect day! Being very unselfish, she generously shared her special day with the rest of the world and, in response, the world threw the biggest party you can imagine, on that night, EVERY YEAR. There were even fireworks! But the underlying point is that, to her, it was never about her birthday, or for …

After the death of my mother

Daryl HattonPersonal

My mother Darlene died yesterday morning. It was quick and probably painless. She got up out of bed and collapsed – likely from an aneurysm in her brain. She was 80. I’ve been sitting here tonight feeling wonderful with all the love pouring in from friends through Facebook and over the phone. But I’m still puzzled and amazed by the differences in the way I see what has happened compared with the responses from most everyone else. My heart is not breaking. I’m not feeling a tremendous loss. I’m not going through some of the extreme pain that others are …

My siren

Daryl HattonPersonal

Cute. Sweet. Gingham dress. Innocent. You chased me ‘round the store. “Need help finding anything?” First thought? Your number! A dinner date? I look at figs. And at granola. Why was I in a health food store??? You smiled. I melted. Took a risk. “Dinner?” Yes?!?! Gulp. 7? Wow. Fear. Knocked on your door. Heard “Wait!” Nervous. Locked. Click. Open. Confusion! Slip dress. Heels. Hair down. Lipstick. Sexy. Confident. Glowing. I’m lost. And smitten. Drive to English Bay. Fine dining. You look at me like I am a god. I stutter. I brag. I try to be cool. You flirt. …