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Yes, tis true. We are unfortunately unfamiliar with so much international attention...and squirm in the limelight.
Being Canadian has it's strengths.... born through the natural struggles of living in this land....battling the constantly changing weather but fiercely and unapologetically proud of all it's magnificence.
Other nations have historically underestimated us, and we have been quite content with that arrangement. (There is nothing more annoying than someone brilliant who needs constant assurance, that yes, they are indeed.... smart.)
My fellow Canadians, what are we going to do with this newly found attention? Are we going to learn to enjoy some more light....some more press...more inquisitive international travelers coming to check out our beautiful nation?
We have been an undiscovered gem for so many decades, we wrongly assumed that this would always be the case. And so, a loud world leader has uncovered some of our potential and we are in shock.
Hidden seclusion is a luxury we can no more afford.
Rise up my friends....rise up my fellow Canadians. We must learn to dance in the spotlight and endure this newfound attention. If we dance well, the songs will be exquisite and the rewards unlimited. But if we shrink and try to go back in our virtual cave.....we will have missed out on some of the biggest opportunity we never knew we were waiting for.
Wallflowers no more, we must embrace this new path and forge a new stronger fence around our country. But we must also build smooth and lucrative entrepreneurial paths so that those who wish to engage in trade with us, can do so, without tripping or feeling unwelcome. We can not get gruff and grumpy and assume that the world will just "let us be" as we have been for so many years.
More investment and participation in public global trade will bring better opportunities for us and our children and grandchildren, who won't have to leave our country to find juicier hunting grounds. We will learn to embrace entrepreneurs and honour their risk taking ways.
We can always hang onto our identity as a solemn solid dependable resilient work horse, but that can not be all that we are. Without innovaton and a willingness to learn from strangers, the brain drain will grow deeper and wider.
Plus that drain, my friends....we need the shakers and investors to move here, not move out.
We have more clout, with a doubt, than we ever gave ourselves credit.
Time to shine.
Carla
