Out of darkness,
Shall come, "DAWN".
Out of winter,
Shall come,"SPRING"
Out of striving,
Shall come, "PEACE".
Not by our strength, But by
THE GRACE OF GOD!
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Saturday, December 18, 2004
In the spirit of Christmas giving
As the year draws to a close, many people are thinking about gifts for family and friends, and maybe also about rounding out their own charitable giving.
In fact, a growing number of people are making donations as gifts instead of more ‘stuff.’
To this end, we bring your attention to ten strong projects that have recently captured our interest. By and large they are less visible, small to medium-sized organizations that make a little go a long way.
Of course, there are thousands of excellent, deserving charities throughout Canada. To view the most recent list of charities that our donor partners have supported with their grant recommendations, please visit http://www.tidescanada.org/giving/giftsinaction.cfm#4b. Or to learn about groups who have funds at Tides Canada accepting donations towards their work, visit: http://www.tidescanada.org/whoarewe/ourdonors.cfm
Our best to you during the holiday season,
Tim Draimin and the staff at Tides Canada.
Tides Canada's 'Ten for 2004'
Nanaimo Foodshare
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nanaimo Foodshare runs a number of programs aimed at increasing Food Security on Vancouver Island, including a Good Food Box that helps families stretch their food dollar while accessing good local produce, cooking skills programs for youth, active living and healthy eating workshops, a program that matches those with excess produce with those who can make good use of it, and a summer lunch program in public parks.
To learn more: http://www.nanaimofoodshare.ca/index.htm
To donate: http://www.nanaimofoodshare.ca/support.htm
The Stop Community Food Centre
Toronto, Ontario
The Stop Community Food Centre strives to increase people's access to nutritious food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds community and challenges inequality.
They provide programs and advocacy to some of the most vulnerable people in the City of Toronto, addressing problems of hunger and poverty by focusing on the ways food can bring people together to break down social isolation and improve their quality of life.
In 2004, over 7000 people accessed food, information and advocacy as well as social and recreational activities at The Stop. Two thousand pounds of fresh organic produce was harvested from their community garden for use in their food programs.
To learn more:
http://www.thestop.org/mainframe.htm
To donate:
Online:
http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=29545
Other methods: http://www.thestop.org/mainframe.htm
YWCA Vancouver (National Child Care program)
Vancouver, British Columbia
Active municipally, provincially, and federally, YWCA Vancouver is a lead advocate for an accessible and robust federal child care system in Canada. Working with many other non-profits, charities, and citizen groups across Canada, YWCA will be taking a strong stand on the need for quality, accessible child care.
To learn more:http://www.ywcavan.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4161
To donate:
http://www.ywcavan.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3635
Light Up the World
Calgary, Alberta
Light Up The World Foundation (LUTW) is an international humanitarian organization affiliated with the University of Calgary, dedicated to illuminating the lives of the world’s poor. It is the first humanitarian organization to utilize solid-state lighting technologies to bring affordable, safe, healthy, efficient, and environmentally responsible lighting to people currently without access to proper lighting. LUTW remains the world’s leader, globally active and setting standards in this field.
To learn more:
http://www.lutw.org
To donate:
http://www.lutw.org/howtodonate.html
Falls Brook Centre
Knowlesville, New Brunswick
Falls Brook Centre's local and international projects are focused on curbing the climate change trend and reducing rural communities' vulnerabilities to the associated changes.
Located on 400 acres of Acadian forest and farmland, the Centre acts as a demonstration site and basis for outreach, complete with a strawbale museum, organic gardens and orchards, and a solar conference centre.
Successful regional and international programs support local communities in adapting to a sustainable future, focusing on the promotion of sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, eco-forestry, and other income-generating sustainable livelihoods.
To learn more:
http://www.fallsbrookcentre.ca/webmain/homeeng.htm
To donate:
http://www.fallsbrookcentre.ca/webmain/donations.htm
The Sustainability Network
Toronto, Ontario
The Sustainability Network does crucial capacity building work with environmental non-profits in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to make them more effective and efficient. By improving management and leadership skills and fostering organizational development, the Network helps to strengthen the environmental community.
In the past, workshops have focused on social marketing, fundraising, media training, volunteer management, legal issues and many other NGO management topics.
To learn more:
http://sustain.web.ca/home.htm
To donate:
http://sustain.web.ca/donate.htm
Eva’s Phoenix
Toronto, Ontario
Eva’s Phoenix- a project of Eva’s Initiatives - is an innovative transitional housing and training facility in the King and Strachan area of Toronto. Up to 50 youth ages 16-24 may live at Eva's Phoenix for up to one year, while up to 160 youth ages 16-29 may participate in its employment and pre-apprenticeship programs.
Working with business, labour and community partners, Eva's Phoenix provides homeless and at-risk youth with the opportunities needed to develop life skills, build careers and live independently.
To learn more:
http://www.evasinitiatives.com/phoenix/phoenix-home.htm
To donate:
http://www.evasinitiatives.com/donate.htm
FCJ Hamilton House
Toronto, Ontario
FCJ Hamilton House Refugee Project offers temporary housing for women and children refugee claimants, training programs and publications for frontline workers and refugees about the refugee system, and legal information and referrals for refugee claimants, especially those who do not have legal aid.
To learn more:
http://www.fcjsisters.ca/HamiltonHouse/
To donate:
http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=53017
Tides Canada’s Drug Policy Reform Fund
Vancouver, British Columbia and national.
More and more, serious drug use is being acknowledged not necessarily as a cause of social instability, but rather a symptom of social inequity. Drug addiction and its accompanying effects are being seen more as health and social justice issues, and less as criminal issues. Drug policy reform is about acknowledging that the prevalent focus on criminalization and incarceration is lacking in its ability to solve problems in the long-term.
The Downtown Eastside neighborhood of Vancouver has become Canada’s unfortunate poster child for the vicious cycle of addiction, poverty, disease, homelessness, and tragic violence. But it is also the neighborhood that can lead the country in actively demonstrating effective solutions to be emulated throughout Canada.
Grants from this collaborative fund are directed to Canadian charities working on diverse aspects of drug policy reform: harm reduction, treatment, policy alternatives, legal aid, and education. The fund is focused on, but not exclusive to, charities in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
To learn more or to contribute, please contact:
Lesley Anderson
Director of Philanthropic Services, Tides Canada
604-647-6611 ext 245 / 1-866-843-3722
Lesley@tidescanada.org
Tides Canada’s Canadian Boreal Fund
National
Our Canadian Boreal Fund is directed towards charitable projects that sustain the ecological and cultural integrity of the Canadian Boreal region.
In the past year grants have been made to key Canadian organizations working to preserve the Canadian section of this global forest. These include the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and Ducks Unlimited for their work in Saskatchewan, and the Wildlands League for their work in Northern Ontario.
To learn more or to contribute, please contact:
Lesley Anderson
Director of Philanthropic Services, Tides Canada
604-647-6611 ext 245 / 1-866-843-3722
Lesley@tidescanada.org
In fact, a growing number of people are making donations as gifts instead of more ‘stuff.’
To this end, we bring your attention to ten strong projects that have recently captured our interest. By and large they are less visible, small to medium-sized organizations that make a little go a long way.
Of course, there are thousands of excellent, deserving charities throughout Canada. To view the most recent list of charities that our donor partners have supported with their grant recommendations, please visit http://www.tidescanada.org/giving/giftsinaction.cfm#4b. Or to learn about groups who have funds at Tides Canada accepting donations towards their work, visit: http://www.tidescanada.org/whoarewe/ourdonors.cfm
Our best to you during the holiday season,
Tim Draimin and the staff at Tides Canada.
Tides Canada's 'Ten for 2004'
Nanaimo Foodshare
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Nanaimo Foodshare runs a number of programs aimed at increasing Food Security on Vancouver Island, including a Good Food Box that helps families stretch their food dollar while accessing good local produce, cooking skills programs for youth, active living and healthy eating workshops, a program that matches those with excess produce with those who can make good use of it, and a summer lunch program in public parks.
To learn more: http://www.nanaimofoodshare.ca/index.htm
To donate: http://www.nanaimofoodshare.ca/support.htm
The Stop Community Food Centre
Toronto, Ontario
The Stop Community Food Centre strives to increase people's access to nutritious food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds community and challenges inequality.
They provide programs and advocacy to some of the most vulnerable people in the City of Toronto, addressing problems of hunger and poverty by focusing on the ways food can bring people together to break down social isolation and improve their quality of life.
In 2004, over 7000 people accessed food, information and advocacy as well as social and recreational activities at The Stop. Two thousand pounds of fresh organic produce was harvested from their community garden for use in their food programs.
To learn more:
http://www.thestop.org/mainframe.htm
To donate:
Online:
http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=29545
Other methods: http://www.thestop.org/mainframe.htm
YWCA Vancouver (National Child Care program)
Vancouver, British Columbia
Active municipally, provincially, and federally, YWCA Vancouver is a lead advocate for an accessible and robust federal child care system in Canada. Working with many other non-profits, charities, and citizen groups across Canada, YWCA will be taking a strong stand on the need for quality, accessible child care.
To learn more:http://www.ywcavan.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=4161
To donate:
http://www.ywcavan.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=3635
Light Up the World
Calgary, Alberta
Light Up The World Foundation (LUTW) is an international humanitarian organization affiliated with the University of Calgary, dedicated to illuminating the lives of the world’s poor. It is the first humanitarian organization to utilize solid-state lighting technologies to bring affordable, safe, healthy, efficient, and environmentally responsible lighting to people currently without access to proper lighting. LUTW remains the world’s leader, globally active and setting standards in this field.
To learn more:
http://www.lutw.org
To donate:
http://www.lutw.org/howtodonate.html
Falls Brook Centre
Knowlesville, New Brunswick
Falls Brook Centre's local and international projects are focused on curbing the climate change trend and reducing rural communities' vulnerabilities to the associated changes.
Located on 400 acres of Acadian forest and farmland, the Centre acts as a demonstration site and basis for outreach, complete with a strawbale museum, organic gardens and orchards, and a solar conference centre.
Successful regional and international programs support local communities in adapting to a sustainable future, focusing on the promotion of sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, eco-forestry, and other income-generating sustainable livelihoods.
To learn more:
http://www.fallsbrookcentre.ca/webmain/homeeng.htm
To donate:
http://www.fallsbrookcentre.ca/webmain/donations.htm
The Sustainability Network
Toronto, Ontario
The Sustainability Network does crucial capacity building work with environmental non-profits in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to make them more effective and efficient. By improving management and leadership skills and fostering organizational development, the Network helps to strengthen the environmental community.
In the past, workshops have focused on social marketing, fundraising, media training, volunteer management, legal issues and many other NGO management topics.
To learn more:
http://sustain.web.ca/home.htm
To donate:
http://sustain.web.ca/donate.htm
Eva’s Phoenix
Toronto, Ontario
Eva’s Phoenix- a project of Eva’s Initiatives - is an innovative transitional housing and training facility in the King and Strachan area of Toronto. Up to 50 youth ages 16-24 may live at Eva's Phoenix for up to one year, while up to 160 youth ages 16-29 may participate in its employment and pre-apprenticeship programs.
Working with business, labour and community partners, Eva's Phoenix provides homeless and at-risk youth with the opportunities needed to develop life skills, build careers and live independently.
To learn more:
http://www.evasinitiatives.com/phoenix/phoenix-home.htm
To donate:
http://www.evasinitiatives.com/donate.htm
FCJ Hamilton House
Toronto, Ontario
FCJ Hamilton House Refugee Project offers temporary housing for women and children refugee claimants, training programs and publications for frontline workers and refugees about the refugee system, and legal information and referrals for refugee claimants, especially those who do not have legal aid.
To learn more:
http://www.fcjsisters.ca/HamiltonHouse/
To donate:
http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=53017
Tides Canada’s Drug Policy Reform Fund
Vancouver, British Columbia and national.
More and more, serious drug use is being acknowledged not necessarily as a cause of social instability, but rather a symptom of social inequity. Drug addiction and its accompanying effects are being seen more as health and social justice issues, and less as criminal issues. Drug policy reform is about acknowledging that the prevalent focus on criminalization and incarceration is lacking in its ability to solve problems in the long-term.
The Downtown Eastside neighborhood of Vancouver has become Canada’s unfortunate poster child for the vicious cycle of addiction, poverty, disease, homelessness, and tragic violence. But it is also the neighborhood that can lead the country in actively demonstrating effective solutions to be emulated throughout Canada.
Grants from this collaborative fund are directed to Canadian charities working on diverse aspects of drug policy reform: harm reduction, treatment, policy alternatives, legal aid, and education. The fund is focused on, but not exclusive to, charities in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
To learn more or to contribute, please contact:
Lesley Anderson
Director of Philanthropic Services, Tides Canada
604-647-6611 ext 245 / 1-866-843-3722
Lesley@tidescanada.org
Tides Canada’s Canadian Boreal Fund
National
Our Canadian Boreal Fund is directed towards charitable projects that sustain the ecological and cultural integrity of the Canadian Boreal region.
In the past year grants have been made to key Canadian organizations working to preserve the Canadian section of this global forest. These include the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and Ducks Unlimited for their work in Saskatchewan, and the Wildlands League for their work in Northern Ontario.
To learn more or to contribute, please contact:
Lesley Anderson
Director of Philanthropic Services, Tides Canada
604-647-6611 ext 245 / 1-866-843-3722
Lesley@tidescanada.org
Friday, November 19, 2004
A touching story of true wealth
During the waning years of the depression in a small Idaho community, I used to stop by Mr. Miller's roadside stand for farm fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used extensively. One day Mr. Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me. "Hello Barry, how are you today? "H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas ... sure look good."They are good, Barry. How's your Ma? "Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."Good. Anything I can help you with? "No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas. "Would you like to take some home? "No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.
"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas? "All I got's my prize marble here.
"Is that right? Let me see it. "Here 'tis. She's a dandy.
"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?
"Not zackley ... but almost. "Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble. "Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller. Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps. I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A shor time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had the occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there I learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.
Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts ... all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes. Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket."Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size ... they came to pay their debt.
"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho. With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.
"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas? "All I got's my prize marble here.
"Is that right? Let me see it. "Here 'tis. She's a dandy.
"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?
"Not zackley ... but almost. "Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble. "Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller. Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps. I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A shor time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had the occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there I learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.
Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts ... all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes. Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket."Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size ... they came to pay their debt.
"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho. With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.
Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Awareness
Being aware of things I should be changing about myself and the way I act, creates space for me to do just that.
Awareness is the first step.
Awareness is created by my being totally honest about myself within my small circle of friends.
I say small circle because I certainly do not want to go around broadcasting my lifes challenges to all and everyone. I have a small circle of trusted friends who know everything about me and who help keep me accountable to myself and to my values and ideals.
Once I become aware about something that needs to be changed in my life, I have taken the first step.
Without awareness there is only ignorance and darkness.
Awareness is the first step.
Awareness is created by my being totally honest about myself within my small circle of friends.
I say small circle because I certainly do not want to go around broadcasting my lifes challenges to all and everyone. I have a small circle of trusted friends who know everything about me and who help keep me accountable to myself and to my values and ideals.
Once I become aware about something that needs to be changed in my life, I have taken the first step.
Without awareness there is only ignorance and darkness.
Monday, October 18, 2004
Hope
On Sunday Oct./17th our national media organization, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, (CBC) aired a program called,'The Greatest Canadian".
People had been writing, calling and contacting the C.B.C. over the past few months to nominate the Canadian of their choice for this honour.
On the broadcast on Sunday night 25 Canadians who got the most number of votes/nominations were profiled.
One who stood out for me wasn't even the person of my choice.
He is Jean Vanier, a son of a former Governor-General of Canada. This man who though born into privileged circumstances, chose to devote his life to the caring for people who are marginalized in our societies, the ones who suffer from mental challenges.
It was touching watching people hug him and snuggle up close to him as he went about his duties.
He said something that really spoke to me. He stated that his wish was that he brought some sense of hope of a better life for the people whose lives he touched.
HOPE! It is my firm and unswerving belief that "hope" is the most beautiful gift that one human being can give another.
Hope is what is offered by the countless numbers of volunteers who staff the helplines, the distress call centres, to the people who call in during the darkest moments of their lives.
Hope could very well be that "light at the end of a very dark tunnel" to someone.
Who can "you" give the gift of hope to.......today?
Whose candle would you like to light today?
People had been writing, calling and contacting the C.B.C. over the past few months to nominate the Canadian of their choice for this honour.
On the broadcast on Sunday night 25 Canadians who got the most number of votes/nominations were profiled.
One who stood out for me wasn't even the person of my choice.
He is Jean Vanier, a son of a former Governor-General of Canada. This man who though born into privileged circumstances, chose to devote his life to the caring for people who are marginalized in our societies, the ones who suffer from mental challenges.
It was touching watching people hug him and snuggle up close to him as he went about his duties.
He said something that really spoke to me. He stated that his wish was that he brought some sense of hope of a better life for the people whose lives he touched.
HOPE! It is my firm and unswerving belief that "hope" is the most beautiful gift that one human being can give another.
Hope is what is offered by the countless numbers of volunteers who staff the helplines, the distress call centres, to the people who call in during the darkest moments of their lives.
Hope could very well be that "light at the end of a very dark tunnel" to someone.
Who can "you" give the gift of hope to.......today?
Whose candle would you like to light today?
Sunday, October 17, 2004
Gratitude List
As human beings we are constantly judging ourselves and looking at what we do not have. Living in a consumer society it is easy to focus on what we do not possess.
Once when whining about something really inconsequential, my great friend and spiritual mentor, the late and much missed Fred McKnight, advised me to create a "gratitude list".
This list was to include everything I had in my life. Everything, such as a roof over my head, to a full belly, good friends, bills paid, a job, physical health, mental health, material possesions etc. etc.
I created this list and read it everytime I feel down, just plain ungrateful or sorry for myself.
It has an amazing power to lift my spirits and to bring instant joy to my life.
Once when whining about something really inconsequential, my great friend and spiritual mentor, the late and much missed Fred McKnight, advised me to create a "gratitude list".
This list was to include everything I had in my life. Everything, such as a roof over my head, to a full belly, good friends, bills paid, a job, physical health, mental health, material possesions etc. etc.
I created this list and read it everytime I feel down, just plain ungrateful or sorry for myself.
It has an amazing power to lift my spirits and to bring instant joy to my life.
Volunteers
On Thursday Oct./14th I went to a central office to answer the telephones with 3 friends,
Mike the Glassman, Michael/Stretch and John the Painter.
Mike has been doing this for the last 16 years, Michael for 8 and John for the last couple of years. They have been devoting 4 hours a night, on the 14th of every month, to help people find the assistance they need to face challenges of life. Truly a perfect way to "light one candle" instead of cursing the darkness, that affects the lives of so many people these days.
It was fun evening, with the added bonus of having made a difference in the lives of the people we touched.
Volunteering is good. There are a myriad number of ways in which we can volunteer our time.
I felt privileged that these men thought to ask me to join them in serving our fellow human beings.
I remember reading somewhere, that the purpose of our lives is not merely to work and accumulate wealth, money, property and prestige, but to be of service to our fellows.
When we take care of the needs of others, our own needs get taken care of.
A point worth remembering.
Mike the Glassman, Michael/Stretch and John the Painter.
Mike has been doing this for the last 16 years, Michael for 8 and John for the last couple of years. They have been devoting 4 hours a night, on the 14th of every month, to help people find the assistance they need to face challenges of life. Truly a perfect way to "light one candle" instead of cursing the darkness, that affects the lives of so many people these days.
It was fun evening, with the added bonus of having made a difference in the lives of the people we touched.
Volunteering is good. There are a myriad number of ways in which we can volunteer our time.
I felt privileged that these men thought to ask me to join them in serving our fellow human beings.
I remember reading somewhere, that the purpose of our lives is not merely to work and accumulate wealth, money, property and prestige, but to be of service to our fellows.
When we take care of the needs of others, our own needs get taken care of.
A point worth remembering.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Thanksgiving
What a Thanksgiving week-end it was. I awoke early on Monday morning and as I sat meditating on the porch at my Brother-in-law Davids place, I took the time to reflect on the many things I have to be thankful for.
I was thankful for the love that David expressed to me in his own special way. Knowing of my love of nature, he took me to Point Pelee on Saturday and I had the signal honour of setting foot at the southern most tip of the Canadian mainland. It was just the two of us, spending the day together, whilst our wives toiled away at the dinner preparations. This was with their consent, since they both agreed that David and I needed to spend time together.
We had our dinner on Sunday and it was a beautiful evening. My sister-in-law, Bonnie and her husband Larry were there, as were my brother-in-laws daughter, Kim, her husband Mauro and their children, Tony, Elizabeth and Joey.
The glue that held us all together, the person most responsible for the evening was my soul-sister June.
June is an extra special person in my life, one of those rare people whom I took to immediately upon meeting her. She has a gift, this woman has, of welcoming people into her life and of expressing her love for them. She and I share a bond that is deeper than either of us realize.
Of course, I would not be at this very special family gathering, were it not for the love of my life, Deb.
It was an evening of love, gratitude and laughter ......much laughter.
Really, things of the spirit, that which stays with one, long after the event itself fades in time and distance.
We lit many candles that evening, candles which expressed our love of one another. That is all that really matters.
I was thankful for the love that David expressed to me in his own special way. Knowing of my love of nature, he took me to Point Pelee on Saturday and I had the signal honour of setting foot at the southern most tip of the Canadian mainland. It was just the two of us, spending the day together, whilst our wives toiled away at the dinner preparations. This was with their consent, since they both agreed that David and I needed to spend time together.
We had our dinner on Sunday and it was a beautiful evening. My sister-in-law, Bonnie and her husband Larry were there, as were my brother-in-laws daughter, Kim, her husband Mauro and their children, Tony, Elizabeth and Joey.
The glue that held us all together, the person most responsible for the evening was my soul-sister June.
June is an extra special person in my life, one of those rare people whom I took to immediately upon meeting her. She has a gift, this woman has, of welcoming people into her life and of expressing her love for them. She and I share a bond that is deeper than either of us realize.
Of course, I would not be at this very special family gathering, were it not for the love of my life, Deb.
It was an evening of love, gratitude and laughter ......much laughter.
Really, things of the spirit, that which stays with one, long after the event itself fades in time and distance.
We lit many candles that evening, candles which expressed our love of one another. That is all that really matters.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Humility
We were discussing humility last night. My take on it is based on my experiences.
When family members used to say, "A little humility might work for you", my reply almost consistently was ..........WHY? What do I have to be humble for or about?
With the benefit of hindsight and based on more recent experiences I can see how that attitude cost me dearly.
Practically nobody was attracted by a cocky, arrogant me, who, displaying the opposite of the Midas Touch, essentially drove people away from myself. Not only did I repel people, but also by extension I deprived myself of opportunities that would otherwise have come my way via people. You see I did not know the difference between humility and humiliation.
Today it is different. My practice of humility has allowed me to see the hand of my Higher Power at work in my daily life.
A humble attitude is easy to practice when I am down and in need of help.
The real challenge is to be humble when I am at the top of my game. When I am on top of the world. When kudos and compliments are flowing.
What are the results of this attitude of humility?
In my personal life people don't seem to mind being around me. In fact they seek me out. Family members who previously avoided me, now enjoy the time they spend with me and believe it or not, actually value my advice. I'm always the first to admit it when I am wrong, the first to apologize if an apology is merited. I never take myself so seriously anymore.
It has certainly worked in the business world, because I seem to attract people and opportunities to myself. I give credit where credit is due, promote people who deserve it, encourage those who do not merit promotion, all by practicing humility.
I always give credit to my team when praised or complimented.
I always use this line, internally, to myself, when the kudos and praise are flowing;
"Of myself I am nothing. The Father doeth the works".
When family members used to say, "A little humility might work for you", my reply almost consistently was ..........WHY? What do I have to be humble for or about?
With the benefit of hindsight and based on more recent experiences I can see how that attitude cost me dearly.
Practically nobody was attracted by a cocky, arrogant me, who, displaying the opposite of the Midas Touch, essentially drove people away from myself. Not only did I repel people, but also by extension I deprived myself of opportunities that would otherwise have come my way via people. You see I did not know the difference between humility and humiliation.
Today it is different. My practice of humility has allowed me to see the hand of my Higher Power at work in my daily life.
A humble attitude is easy to practice when I am down and in need of help.
The real challenge is to be humble when I am at the top of my game. When I am on top of the world. When kudos and compliments are flowing.
What are the results of this attitude of humility?
In my personal life people don't seem to mind being around me. In fact they seek me out. Family members who previously avoided me, now enjoy the time they spend with me and believe it or not, actually value my advice. I'm always the first to admit it when I am wrong, the first to apologize if an apology is merited. I never take myself so seriously anymore.
It has certainly worked in the business world, because I seem to attract people and opportunities to myself. I give credit where credit is due, promote people who deserve it, encourage those who do not merit promotion, all by practicing humility.
I always give credit to my team when praised or complimented.
I always use this line, internally, to myself, when the kudos and praise are flowing;
"Of myself I am nothing. The Father doeth the works".
Friday, October 01, 2004
Social Justice Fund
In keeping with the original purpose of this blog, I am now going to say something positive about an institution.
I am a member of the Canadian Autoworkers Union, the CAW. We have a Social Justice Fund that is run by a very hard working woman who I am privileged to call a friend.
The Social Justice Fund is currently raising money to send to the troubled Darfur region of the Sudan.
If anyone is interested in finding out about this very worthwhile project and more, please check out;
http://caw.cawhatwedo/socialjusticefund/index.asp
I am a member of the Canadian Autoworkers Union, the CAW. We have a Social Justice Fund that is run by a very hard working woman who I am privileged to call a friend.
The Social Justice Fund is currently raising money to send to the troubled Darfur region of the Sudan.
If anyone is interested in finding out about this very worthwhile project and more, please check out;
http://caw.cawhatwedo/socialjusticefund/index.asp
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
The wisdom of my 21 year old God-son Nephew
My newest Godson and nephew David visited with us on Sunday September, 19th. Hadn't seen the lad since 1999, though I'd spoken with him on the phone.
It was a heavy evening. Laughing, hugging, lots of kisses for the boy, catching up with family news, taking pictures, dinner etc. Because it was such an emotion filled night, just before he went to sleep, he wrote his feelings/observations on a pad of paper, late Sunday night.
I had the privilege of reading them Monday morning and was impressed. I asked and recieved his permission to publish them here. Remember......this guy is just 21 years old.
"David wrote.......and I quote verbatim";
Anger is shallow, lest we forget, anger is the fuel that operates ignorance. Passion is a window of opportunity and it is our ground to stand on. It is what compels us to stand up and defend what is truly right. It drives us to strive for the best and the most sensible conclusions.
Now I am shallow. For I have let anger control me. I have fed my own ignorance and inadequacies simply by resorting to aggression rather than logic.
Most of the time I am getting better. It is not my sins to be forgiven. They are not even sins I have the ability to forgive.
It is not my place. My place is to accept, not fight. Understand and not condemn.
Picture a world where this was actually our initial reactions. Instead of simply looking at a situation and expressing how we have to now inconvenience ourselves by letting something into our lives, accept it. For it is truths. Instead of shying away and TRYING to make it better, we must understand (learn to understand) and accept the beauty in reality. We cannot control, nor change what happens. All we can do is stop trying to cover our tracks and work with the situation that has been provided.
Everything happens for a reason.
DAVID. September/19/2004
It was a heavy evening. Laughing, hugging, lots of kisses for the boy, catching up with family news, taking pictures, dinner etc. Because it was such an emotion filled night, just before he went to sleep, he wrote his feelings/observations on a pad of paper, late Sunday night.
I had the privilege of reading them Monday morning and was impressed. I asked and recieved his permission to publish them here. Remember......this guy is just 21 years old.
"David wrote.......and I quote verbatim";
Anger is shallow, lest we forget, anger is the fuel that operates ignorance. Passion is a window of opportunity and it is our ground to stand on. It is what compels us to stand up and defend what is truly right. It drives us to strive for the best and the most sensible conclusions.
Now I am shallow. For I have let anger control me. I have fed my own ignorance and inadequacies simply by resorting to aggression rather than logic.
Most of the time I am getting better. It is not my sins to be forgiven. They are not even sins I have the ability to forgive.
It is not my place. My place is to accept, not fight. Understand and not condemn.
Picture a world where this was actually our initial reactions. Instead of simply looking at a situation and expressing how we have to now inconvenience ourselves by letting something into our lives, accept it. For it is truths. Instead of shying away and TRYING to make it better, we must understand (learn to understand) and accept the beauty in reality. We cannot control, nor change what happens. All we can do is stop trying to cover our tracks and work with the situation that has been provided.
Everything happens for a reason.
DAVID. September/19/2004
Friday, September 17, 2004
When I ask for help
When I ask for help I am doing several things. I am being humble. I am expressing my humanity and as everyone knows, human beings are not perfect.
I am not presenting myself as an island, independent of the need for outside help.
Humility is good for me. Without humility I would be a proud perfectionist, a know it all. Humility helps me to understand that there is a God and that it is not me.
When I ask for help, I am giving some-one else the chance to be of service, the chance to give anonymously and the chance to be generous.
All this helps me realize that I am not treading the path of life alone and that I am a part of a greater whole.
I am not presenting myself as an island, independent of the need for outside help.
Humility is good for me. Without humility I would be a proud perfectionist, a know it all. Humility helps me to understand that there is a God and that it is not me.
When I ask for help, I am giving some-one else the chance to be of service, the chance to give anonymously and the chance to be generous.
All this helps me realize that I am not treading the path of life alone and that I am a part of a greater whole.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Todays beautiful moments=Tomorrows beautiful memories!
If you want to feel good about yourself on a daily basis, give to some-one.
Do something nice for someone-But do it anonymously.
Adopt the practice of doing something daily and not telling anyone about it.
Now! You don't have to do anything extravagant, like buy someone expensive stuff.
Just do something that will uplift their spirit, like a phone call to someone who does not have many friends, or a prayer for someone who is experiencing difficulties. Call an elderly relative, or mentally send love to someone who aggravates you.
Make it a daily habit and soon you will find that you have memories of many happy yesterdays.
Do something nice for someone-But do it anonymously.
Adopt the practice of doing something daily and not telling anyone about it.
Now! You don't have to do anything extravagant, like buy someone expensive stuff.
Just do something that will uplift their spirit, like a phone call to someone who does not have many friends, or a prayer for someone who is experiencing difficulties. Call an elderly relative, or mentally send love to someone who aggravates you.
Make it a daily habit and soon you will find that you have memories of many happy yesterdays.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
An open mind
There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep man/woman in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation.
Herbert Spencer
Herbert Spencer
Friday, September 10, 2004
Forgiveness
There is tremendous "spiritual" power in forgiveness. Our brains/minds are powerful organisms.
When one is in the revenge mode, the mind is focussed on a highly negative response and works to create the conditions that lead to negative consequences.
Hence the old Chinese saying;
When bent on revenge, dig two graves. One for your intended victim and one for yourself.
Forgiveness however focusses the mind on the positive thus leading to desirable outcomes.
Try it. If there is someone you are angry with (y'know, you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night thinking about the wrong this person has committed, or are obsessed with their grievous wrongs against you?) and want revenge, pray for them for two weeks. Ask God, or whoever you believe in, to give them all of the things "you" want in life. Do it for two weeks and you'll be relieved of your obsession/need for revenge.
When one is in the revenge mode, the mind is focussed on a highly negative response and works to create the conditions that lead to negative consequences.
Hence the old Chinese saying;
When bent on revenge, dig two graves. One for your intended victim and one for yourself.
Forgiveness however focusses the mind on the positive thus leading to desirable outcomes.
Try it. If there is someone you are angry with (y'know, you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night thinking about the wrong this person has committed, or are obsessed with their grievous wrongs against you?) and want revenge, pray for them for two weeks. Ask God, or whoever you believe in, to give them all of the things "you" want in life. Do it for two weeks and you'll be relieved of your obsession/need for revenge.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Light One Candle
This is a challenge to myself and to others. I want to do something positive everyday and this might just be the way to do that. I want to "live in the solution" as opposed to living in the problem, which is just whining and complaining about this that and everything.
We all know something that someone else, or some organization/country/group/institution is doing wrong. Well....the challenge is to identify whats wrong and post what my solution is. Or....more challenging is to post what I feel someone, some organization, country, institution is doing right.
I pledge to do this just as often as I can and as often as I am being critical about anyone or anything.
We all know something that someone else, or some organization/country/group/institution is doing wrong. Well....the challenge is to identify whats wrong and post what my solution is. Or....more challenging is to post what I feel someone, some organization, country, institution is doing right.
I pledge to do this just as often as I can and as often as I am being critical about anyone or anything.
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