About UsWhat We Are About
Last Updated on Friday, 19 February 2010 20:15 Written by Norm Tucker Thursday, 02 April 2009 20:31
For me, there are four characteristics of life that are important. I don't really understand them but I am learning. Prism of the Heart is part of my learning experience, part of my journey of exploration. It is a journey without destination and the most valued parts of this trip are the smiles that come along the way acknowledging a new awareness or a new thought or new understanding.
The four characteristics I refer to are love, wisdom, joy and learning, especially learning about diversity and dialogue.
Diversity is a root characteristic of the universe and all the inhabitants of the universe. Humankind has searched throughout the ages to understand this diversity calling its findings 'truths'. But as the search continues, the truths change. So even truth has diversity and is subject to change.
Humankind does not have a good record when it comes to diversity. Diversity and differences have caused many, if not all, conflicts and wars - almost continual conflicts and wars. And many atrocities and injustices.
Learning about and understanding diversity and how to respond to it - individually, in groups, in organizations, in countries - may lead us to peace and sustainability for us - as individuals, and for the world, and for the environment.
Prism of the Heart aims to go beyond acknowledging, tolerating and accepting diversity. It aims to celebrate diversity by learning about it and from it. That is the journey.
I have rewritten this 'About' section more than ten times and even more in my mind. Likely, what I write today, may not be what I'll write tomorrow. But, in the interests of transparency, I wanted to communicate to the reader-viewer of this site the reasons I have started this website. What are these reasons? The first is to serialize two books that I have written. One on Canada and the other, poetry. The second is to experiment with a 'dialogic' style of writing that allows readers to expand their own thinking on a subject without first presenting my point of view, my beliefs, my sales pitch - indeed my propaganda.
This is difficult.
Thirdly, I am writing about Canada, to explore it in as much diversity, in as many aspects as I have the energy to explore, and in as open a way as possible. Ultimately, when it comes to understanding our country, we will all have our own stories and our own truths. Let us try our best to understand and enjoy and celebrate the great diversity and to sustain it.
To support ideas of peace, sustainability, diversity and human well-being, we need to be examples of the change we want to see in the world (as Gandhi said).
How do we do that?
I don't really know. But, a good start seems to be by 'being' a person who explores, who learns, who communicates and acts in a peaceful way.
How do we do that?
Well, one way is to do - simply by starting and starting now - taking small steps. By starting, you are the person you want to be and thus, the person who you are and who you are becoming - all at the same time.
In Prism of the Heart, I am trying to present information - ideas, thinking, images, words - in a way that honors the readers' capacity to make up their own mind and have their own point of view. That, I think, is a peaceful way of communicating. But it is difficult and remains an intention and desire to continually keep in mind.
Below, is a mind map that outlines the values that we try to reflect on Prism of the Heart.org.
Four Agreements
Be impeccable with your word.
Don't take anything personally.
Don't make assumptions.
Always do your best.
Wisdom
Look beyond reason without losing sight of it.
See the big picture without losing sight of the present picture.
Be more concerned with where something is leading us than maintaining one's present position.
Determine what one can learn rather than what one can defend.
Behind the Scenes
Norm Tucker (left), who published, wrote, organized and payed the bills for Prism of the Heart, lived in White Rock. Rest in peace, Norm.
Levente Adam, of Weave Media Inc, (Webmeister, aka God) has built the site using Joomla Magazine software. This is the fifth website we have worked on over the last eleven years. Levente may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Special Thanks
Thanks to Dawn White for designing our heart logo.
Thanks to Peter Emmons for his enthusuastic (sic) and remorseless copy editing.(Did I write 'enthusuastic'?)
Article Contributions Criteria
We wish to explore and celebrate our diversity
and creativity from as many perspectives (and they are surely infinite)
as possible and so expand our understanding of life and of the value of
life.
Your article contributions will be welcomed and celebrated.
- To combine two or more communications media ( images, words. sound).
- To reflect and demonstrate values that sustain diversity and peace.
- To ease the process, you may wish to email me (see address above).
About Norm Tucker
I am including this information in the interest of transparency, so that if the reader chooses to understand where I am coming from and my background, they can.
Personal
Born in Swansea, Wales 1947 to a Welsh father who met his Dutch bride at the end of the WW II. Mum was an RN at a hospital in Leeuwarden. Dad, who was attached to the Canadian Forces, found himself in hospital with a recurring bout of malaria. In 1957, the family came to North Vancouver via ship (Empress of France) and train. Dad found a job in Powell River as an accountant for the local newspaper and that is where I grew up and went to school (J.P. Dallas, Brooks, Max Cameron).
I have lived in British Columbia, The Yukon, Quebec and Ontario. I am separated with two grown up daughters. I have lived in White Rock, B.C. for the last dozen years - a beautiful spot where I manage to get out for a daily walk and smell the roses.
Experience
28-year corporate progressive career with BMO in Branches, Divisional Headquarters, and Head Office retiring at age 47 as a Senior Project Manager in the Business Systems Division. Some of my job titles-responsibilities included Second Officer, Assistant Accountant, Accountant, Administration Manager, Credit Officer, Account Manager, Methods Officer, Methods Analyst, Branch Support Group Supervisor, Supervisor, Organization and Methods, Manager Systems Acceptance Testing, Manager User Acceptance, Manager Delivery Systems, Manager Bank Systems Development Plan, Manager Project Controls and Information, Senior Project Manager, Senior Manager (pro tem) Bank Operations (3 months).
Other work and related experience includes: Sandwich Artist at Subway, Owner Retail &V Wholesale business, Editor and Columnist (Theme & Variations) for community newspaper, Publisher and Writer for 4 web sites, Piano Teacher (35 students), Accompanist, Organist & Choir Director, Fund Raiser for non profit organizations, Consultant and Facilitator for small business for marketing and sales, Board Director and Secretary of the Surrey Food Bank, Director of Kiwanis, Treasurer of the Duncan Downtown Business Association, Board Member and monthly meeting host for the Vancouver World Federalists, and finally, the most difficult of all being the live-in Caregiver and Companion to my parents, Mum with Alzheimer's and Dad with Lewy-body Dementia. Both have now passed on.
Skills and Characteristics
Teaching, training, consulting, facilitating, coaching, developing new programs, problem solving and transition, writing, people management, change and transition management, generating and keeping satisfied customers, planning for and getting results, motivation, empathy, listening, building capacity, effective change, leadership, honesty, controlling costs, communications, team player-contrarian.
Interests and Hobbies
Media, writing, art, music, piano (although not currently playing), walking, current events, spiritualism, business, cooking, gardening, diversity, dialogue, publishing, communications, sustainability, well-being, successful transitions, and being the change. My past interests and activities have included, duplicate bridge, fishing, tennis, table tennis, squash, photography, and snooker.
Present Activities
Writing for Prism of the Heart.org, editing and revising two books (poetry and on Canada), publishing a book of photography with Joci Sirak, and coaching a keyboard student.