Ruby Dalvina

  Dear readers, It feels strange to begin this blog, because some stories don’t begin with words—they begin with a weight in the heart. For the past while, I have been quietly observing something I cannot ignore anymore. It’s not loud. It’s not always visible. But it’s there—in the eyes, in the pauses, in the forced smiles of people around me. Especially among members of the Iranian community here in Canada. There is a kind of pain that doesn’t scream. It sits. It waits. It breathes inside you. And that is the pain I have been witnessing. A Distance That Is Not Measured in Miles Many Iranians living abroad today are carrying a burden that most of us cannot fully understand. It is not just the distance from home—it is the uncertainty, the fear, and the helplessness of not being able to reach loved ones. At various times over the past years, there have been disruptions and restrictions on internet access inside Iran, especially during periods of unrest. For families living outside th...

Dear readers, There are some community events you attend once… and then there are some that quietly become part of your life. The kind you don’t just go to, but feel connected to. For me, NeighbourLink North York sits firmly in that second category. There’s a soul-level connection there — and I don’t say that lightly. I’ve been part of many NeighbourLink events since their earlier days, long before they became as beautifully big and bustling as they are now. I’ve watched them grow, evolve, and still somehow stay deeply human at the core. Let’s Move, Willowdale is one of those events I’ve personally been part of from its early days — and every year, it feels less like an “event” and more like a seasonal marker in my life. If spring had a heartbeat in Willowdale, this would be it! This year, NeighbourLink North York is once again partnering with the North York Seniors Centre for the 5th annual Let’s Move, Willowdale Move-a-thon & BBQ, happening on Saturday, May 2nd at Hendon ...

  by Ruby Dalvina Hello my lovely readers, There’s something about November in North York — that moment when the first frosty wind slaps your face and your brain instantly goes, “Yep, it’s Christmas Market season again.” And if you’ve ever been to NeighbourLink North York’s Christmas Market, you know exactly what I mean. It’s not just an event — it’s a feeling. It’s the sound of carols mixing with laughter, the smell of hot chocolate in the air, and that universal struggle of trying to sip cocoa with mittens on. I’ve been attending since the early days — back when it was still called the Santa Parade. I’ll never forget that freezing night when Lily Cheng (who’s now our City Councillor) gathered a small, brave group of us to walk around singing worship songs. We were basically human popsicles with halos. The crowd was tiny, the air was frosty, but the joy? Unbelievable. Fast forward to now — the crowd has multiplied, the lights have tripled, and I’ve lost count of how many hot choco...

“Nobody Claps Until Everyone Does: The Hidden Truth About Struggle and Success” By Ruby Dalvina Hello dear readers, Let’s be honest — the road to becoming something is one of the loneliest highways you’ll ever walk. When you’re struggling, trying, failing, restarting, and surviving on faith and caffeine, the world rarely claps. But the day you finally “make it,” suddenly, the same silence that once surrounded you turns into applause. It’s strange, isn’t it? How people seem to see you only when the spotlight hits you, not when you were building the stage in the dark. The truth is, nobody claps until everyone does. The Psychology Behind Why People Don’t Care Until You Succeed Psychologically, most people are drawn to results, not processes. We live in a results-driven culture where achievements, status, and visible success act as social proof. When you’re struggling, your potential isn’t “validated” yet. But once you reach a visible milestone, society translates your story into something...