History is being made as I write this message. Barack Obama is about to make his acceptance speech at the Democratic convention. The first African-American to ever be selected to lead his party into a U.S. presidential election. It's a key moment for the United States.
As I watch the packed stadium and all of the excitement, I can't help but be a little jealous. Oh, I'm not jealous of Obama. I'm thrilled to see him leading the Democrats. I'm jealous of the passion I see in that stadium. People are involved. People are excited. People are hopeful.
To my American friends, I'm standing on the outside looking in. From the perspective of a non-American, Obama is the best hope for the U.S. As a Canadian, I can't imagine such passion ever being elicited by any of our federal leaders.
Admit it my fellow Canadians. Can you see anyone dancing and cheering for a speech by Stephen Harper? Or Stephane Dion? Or Jack Layton? Or Elizabeth May? No way, no how! If U.S. voters do the right thing and elect the Democrats, there will be positive change for not only their own country, but for the world. I don't know if the majority of Americans understand that.
Here in the Great White North, is there even a chance to vote for real change? Conservatives or Liberals; what's the real difference once they're in power? Very little seems to differentiate the two. Although, I must admit, I'd rather support Dion than Harper. The Conservative stance against things like gay rights and abortion scare me. Those are personal issues that a government should leave alone.
And I like the importance Dion places on the environment. But I don't think that's enough to really win me over to spark the passion I'm seeing in Denver this evening.
For real change in Canada, there needs to be a massive paradigm shift away from the two leading parties. I make no bones about my choice. I voted Green in the last federal election and I will do so again. Elizabeth May may not be the most dynamic individual, but when she speaks of her concerns for society, for our well-being, for the future and for the environment there is a sincerity that I do not see in the other leaders.
May honestly believes what her party stands for. It may not be enough to rev up my political passions, but it's the kind of honesty and outlook I can appreciate and support. I'm going Green for the federal election. If you're undecided on a party to support, or if you'd to see a change in Ottawa, I urge you to consider being radical and vote for the Green Party.
Perhaps it can be our opportunity to make history as the Democrats make history in the U.S. this evening.
The Personal Revolution. You can start to change your life at any time you wish!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
No Gold in my sights
It didn't take me long to scratch Gold's Gym from my list of fitness centres worth considering.
Last week I was discussing personal goals with a life coach who is helping me sort some things out. One goal is that always popular "shed a few pounds."
Sidebar: Please note the language here. I'm not out to lose weight, but to shed pounds. The difference? It's mental. Think about it. If you lose something what does your subconscious start to do? It starts thinking about ways to find what you've lost. So, do you want to lose weight, or shed pounds?
I'm working at creating a vision board to help develop my focus on the future. That's when the gym issue came in. One of my activities this week is to locate a gym I can join to work on the physical aspect of my self-improvement project. So, on Saturday I popped into Gold's Gym in Lethbridge.
I'd been here a couple of times before and I don't really know why I want again. Don't get me wrong. I hadn't been here to work out. Once I had to pick someone up and once I had to drop something off. This time I wanted a closer look at things. So I walked in through the front doors.
It's a bit of walk from the entrance to the front desk. I went about 15-20 paces in, stopped, turned around and said to Lynda; "Forget it. This isn't the place for me." And we left. I didn't event make it to the front desk. Why not? That's easy.
Blaring music pounding into my head. Music that would have me hitting the 'seek' button on the car radio if it ever showed up on a station I listen to. Perhaps I should qualify this by saying I'm 51. I have no interest in rap (not really music, anyway) or hip-hop. Especially at volumes that could puncture the inner ear if exposure times lasted the duration of a workout. Even with my iPod playing, it wouldn't drown out this racket.
So it was out the door, back to the car and scratch Gold's Gym from my list.
Honestly, where do baby boomers go for fitness? I don't think Gold's Gym is alone in this approach. I have a feeling I'll find similar environments in more fitness centres in town. I sure wish someone would create a small facility catering to those 40+ only. Ideally, something like a circuit training similar to Curves . . . only something that allowed men.
Hey, here's a radical thought . . . maybe something that was for men only. It almost seems like there is a gym for women only on every other block in town. I can respect that. Women don't necessarily want to be somewhere that can have guys checking them out. Guess what, though? There are likely more than a few guys who would prefer not to have to show off the old pot belly in front of a bunch of women.
So the search goes on. I'll likely check out the YMCA. I hear it's fun to stay there and that you can hang out with all of the boys.
Last week I was discussing personal goals with a life coach who is helping me sort some things out. One goal is that always popular "shed a few pounds."
Sidebar: Please note the language here. I'm not out to lose weight, but to shed pounds. The difference? It's mental. Think about it. If you lose something what does your subconscious start to do? It starts thinking about ways to find what you've lost. So, do you want to lose weight, or shed pounds?
I'm working at creating a vision board to help develop my focus on the future. That's when the gym issue came in. One of my activities this week is to locate a gym I can join to work on the physical aspect of my self-improvement project. So, on Saturday I popped into Gold's Gym in Lethbridge.
I'd been here a couple of times before and I don't really know why I want again. Don't get me wrong. I hadn't been here to work out. Once I had to pick someone up and once I had to drop something off. This time I wanted a closer look at things. So I walked in through the front doors.
It's a bit of walk from the entrance to the front desk. I went about 15-20 paces in, stopped, turned around and said to Lynda; "Forget it. This isn't the place for me." And we left. I didn't event make it to the front desk. Why not? That's easy.
Blaring music pounding into my head. Music that would have me hitting the 'seek' button on the car radio if it ever showed up on a station I listen to. Perhaps I should qualify this by saying I'm 51. I have no interest in rap (not really music, anyway) or hip-hop. Especially at volumes that could puncture the inner ear if exposure times lasted the duration of a workout. Even with my iPod playing, it wouldn't drown out this racket.
So it was out the door, back to the car and scratch Gold's Gym from my list.
Honestly, where do baby boomers go for fitness? I don't think Gold's Gym is alone in this approach. I have a feeling I'll find similar environments in more fitness centres in town. I sure wish someone would create a small facility catering to those 40+ only. Ideally, something like a circuit training similar to Curves . . . only something that allowed men.
Hey, here's a radical thought . . . maybe something that was for men only. It almost seems like there is a gym for women only on every other block in town. I can respect that. Women don't necessarily want to be somewhere that can have guys checking them out. Guess what, though? There are likely more than a few guys who would prefer not to have to show off the old pot belly in front of a bunch of women.
So the search goes on. I'll likely check out the YMCA. I hear it's fun to stay there and that you can hang out with all of the boys.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Walking in Lethbridge
One of my goals is to shed some weight and start to live a healthier lifestyle. I must admit I haven't actively pursued this goal, but I'm feeling motivated now to do so. Why? I don't know why. But it's a good thing.
A couple of weeks ago I picked up some good running shoes and a pedometer at my in-laws' shop in Calgary the Tech Shop at 2415 - 4th ST SW. If you're in the area and looking for quality gear, check it out. Say hello to my nephew, Nolan, if he's there. The shoes are good for my feet. Sorry, I'm not going to tell you the brand or model. Shoes are different for different people. What might be right for you may not be right for some. (Isn't that from a sit-com theme song?) Go see Nolan. He'll look at your feet, how you walk, your current shoes, check to see what you need them for, then set you up with some options to consider.
As for me, I'm finally starting to put them to use. To loose weight, I'm watching my diet and starting to walk more. I have a goal to use my pedometer to track the number of steps I take each day. My goal is 10,000. To a runner or serious walker, that may not sound like much, but if you're just starting out, it's a good goal. Right now I'm at 10,665 steps, thanks to two good walks with my dog, Max today.
I'm also going to be adding a clinically proven product to my regime. Double-blind trials conducted at the University of Connecticut show that when used following the same diet and exercise plan as control subject using a placebo, this product helped people lose up to 90% more fat. And that's really nice.
So I'll let you know how things develop.
Ciao for now.
A couple of weeks ago I picked up some good running shoes and a pedometer at my in-laws' shop in Calgary the Tech Shop at 2415 - 4th ST SW. If you're in the area and looking for quality gear, check it out. Say hello to my nephew, Nolan, if he's there. The shoes are good for my feet. Sorry, I'm not going to tell you the brand or model. Shoes are different for different people. What might be right for you may not be right for some. (Isn't that from a sit-com theme song?) Go see Nolan. He'll look at your feet, how you walk, your current shoes, check to see what you need them for, then set you up with some options to consider.
As for me, I'm finally starting to put them to use. To loose weight, I'm watching my diet and starting to walk more. I have a goal to use my pedometer to track the number of steps I take each day. My goal is 10,000. To a runner or serious walker, that may not sound like much, but if you're just starting out, it's a good goal. Right now I'm at 10,665 steps, thanks to two good walks with my dog, Max today.
I'm also going to be adding a clinically proven product to my regime. Double-blind trials conducted at the University of Connecticut show that when used following the same diet and exercise plan as control subject using a placebo, this product helped people lose up to 90% more fat. And that's really nice.
So I'll let you know how things develop.
Ciao for now.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again
The title certainly seems appropriate right now. Here in Lethbridge, Alberta, the rain is pounding down right now. There's a little bit of thunder and lightning, too, but not enough to make it interesting. Let's face it, if you're going to have a storm, you might as well have a good one. Not damaging, but with some noise and light.
Here I am, a baby boomer at 50, and I still love a good thunder storm. I don't know why, but if I go to bed to the sound of rain and thunder, I'm out in a flash and sleeping a deep and restful sleep. Perhaps a psychiatrist would say Mom's tummy must have rumbled a lot when I was in the womb. I don't know about that but it sure is relaxing.
I'm waiting for a web conference to start so I thought I'd take a moment to write a quick post. I'm likely writing for myself as I suspect there aren't very many people reading the blog just now. But that's OK. Readership will grow.
Not many people in southern Alberta share my appreciation for the rain. Oh, the farmers will be happy for awhile . . . unless we get too much. But that's not the kind of appreciation I'm thinking about. Most people here love the sunshine and Lethbridge does get a lot of it. I like the sun, too, but there's something about an overcast or even rainy day that is special. Maybe that's one reason I'm attracted to the West (Wet) Coast in Canada. I do have a friend at work who seems to share my appreciation. Others just think we're weird.
Like rain, there are so many things we must face in life that people do not appreciate. Thinking about the people I know, this can include certain forms of animal life, everything from spiders to birds. It can focus on weather, work, the past, present and future. So many things that can bother us. One of the biggies is other people. I know because I speak from experience. Following my stress leave and what I like to call my spiritual reawakening, I have come to believe that I need to appreciate things more.
My spiritual beliefs are centred on the teachings of Unity Church. If you want to know more about that side of my life, please check out some earlier posts. But my understanding and acceptance of God is very much in line with Unity and some other New Thought teachings. Boiled down to its essence, I guess you could say I do not believe God is separate from us. God is not an individual spiritual being who lives in the clouds and waits for the End of Days to judge us and determine our eternal fate.
God is one with the universe and we are one with God. The spark of divine is found within every person and the earth itself. I find wonder in this belief. And through that wonder, a growing appreciation of all things. Oh, I'm not a saint. Hardly. I get frustrated by people. Let a mosquito land on me and it's dead. Lots of things still vex my spirit.
But I'm growing.
Appreciation for all things continues to blossom within. A deep, cleansing breath and silent meditation goes a long way to strengthening that appreciation. But please don't think less of me if I allow myself to get angry or upset. I am a spiritual being experiencing a physical life. It takes some getting used to.
So do overcast skies and rainy days. But they're worth it.
Here I am, a baby boomer at 50, and I still love a good thunder storm. I don't know why, but if I go to bed to the sound of rain and thunder, I'm out in a flash and sleeping a deep and restful sleep. Perhaps a psychiatrist would say Mom's tummy must have rumbled a lot when I was in the womb. I don't know about that but it sure is relaxing.
I'm waiting for a web conference to start so I thought I'd take a moment to write a quick post. I'm likely writing for myself as I suspect there aren't very many people reading the blog just now. But that's OK. Readership will grow.
Not many people in southern Alberta share my appreciation for the rain. Oh, the farmers will be happy for awhile . . . unless we get too much. But that's not the kind of appreciation I'm thinking about. Most people here love the sunshine and Lethbridge does get a lot of it. I like the sun, too, but there's something about an overcast or even rainy day that is special. Maybe that's one reason I'm attracted to the West (Wet) Coast in Canada. I do have a friend at work who seems to share my appreciation. Others just think we're weird.
Like rain, there are so many things we must face in life that people do not appreciate. Thinking about the people I know, this can include certain forms of animal life, everything from spiders to birds. It can focus on weather, work, the past, present and future. So many things that can bother us. One of the biggies is other people. I know because I speak from experience. Following my stress leave and what I like to call my spiritual reawakening, I have come to believe that I need to appreciate things more.
My spiritual beliefs are centred on the teachings of Unity Church. If you want to know more about that side of my life, please check out some earlier posts. But my understanding and acceptance of God is very much in line with Unity and some other New Thought teachings. Boiled down to its essence, I guess you could say I do not believe God is separate from us. God is not an individual spiritual being who lives in the clouds and waits for the End of Days to judge us and determine our eternal fate.
God is one with the universe and we are one with God. The spark of divine is found within every person and the earth itself. I find wonder in this belief. And through that wonder, a growing appreciation of all things. Oh, I'm not a saint. Hardly. I get frustrated by people. Let a mosquito land on me and it's dead. Lots of things still vex my spirit.
But I'm growing.
Appreciation for all things continues to blossom within. A deep, cleansing breath and silent meditation goes a long way to strengthening that appreciation. But please don't think less of me if I allow myself to get angry or upset. I am a spiritual being experiencing a physical life. It takes some getting used to.
So do overcast skies and rainy days. But they're worth it.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
The Long Way Home
Six months.
It's been six months since I wrote for this blog. That's awful. But that's also life.
Those of you who are close friends know that half of that time was spent away from work. Yes, I took a three-month stress leave. I never thought I'd be someone who would need to do that, but when extremely negative thoughts about self start to become the order of the day and a counsellor and doctor both tell you your health is at risk if you don't take a break . . . you take a break!
So there were three months when I was essentially incommunicado. I saw my doctor. I saw my counsellor. Occasionally I met with friends for coffee or lunch. Thank to those individuals. You'll never know how much you helped by keeping me grounded and challenging me to think about life. During this time I also met someone who has had a great impact on my life. Pat Varley is a retired nurse, spiritual director and wonderful human being. Her role in helping me get back on my feet cannot be understated.
During the past six months, I've gone through some lows and some highs. Right now, I'm feeling more positive about life than I have for a long time. I've started feeding my spirit again, finding a home in Unity. There isn't a Unity fellowship in Lethbridge . . . yet. But I've made vital contacts online and in Calgary.
I have also examined what I'd really like to accomplish in life. My passion is really to help others see the potential life can hold for them. I guess having gone through some mental stuff myself, I want to follow a path that will allow me to step into the life journey of others and share some ideas and concepts that can help make a difference to them. Watch for that tendency to start showing up in this blog.
Oh, I haven't forgotten the intent to share the ups and downs of life. Heck, I just shared about a three-month stress leave. Mentally, I'm feeling great. Physically, I need to work at some things. I have shed a couple of pounds, but there are a lot more to go. I've purchased some great shoes for walking and a pedometer to provide some record of achievement . . . if I can figure out how to make it work!
But it's all good.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
The Spirit Within
Spirituality has become an important part of my life in the last few years.
I don't mean religion. That's essentially a battery of man-made traditions couched in a veneer of institutionally dictated series of beliefs. It is a self-limiting pretense at understanding God usually based on an extremely narrow perspective.
Most organized religions keep God locked up in a box of their own creation. Then they play the "my God's better than yours" game that leads to anger, hostility and bitter resentment. Until we free God from our chains of limitation, I don't believe we can ever really understand the essence of God.
Recently I have had the opportunity to engage in some conversation about spirituality with someone who is pretty special. This person is intelligent, articulate and always makes me think. They indicated to me a degree of frustration with the whole concept of God, Christianity, the Bible and what it means to be spiritual. And I could sympathize. This person has a warm and caring heart and I believe wants to be connected to something bigger than self.
Don’t we all?
I believe that everyone is on a spiritual journey whether they accept it or not. Some people will agree and some will disagree. That doesn't matter. The truth is some of those who agree still aren't really doing anything about it.
My friend's frustrations address a real challenge in our society. Often any talk of the spiritual nature of life ends up tainted by societal concepts based on a culturally historic link to Judeo-Christian beliefs. When we have been surrounded all our lives by a traditional understanding of God as being the all-powerful spirit being of the Bible, our Holy Father in Heaven, a thing to be both feared and loved, breaking free from those thoughts can be difficult and leave us wondering, if not this picture of God, then what?
What indeed?
Suffice it to say we now live in a society shaped largely through beliefs fostered by a Bible that was essentially created by a group of bishops who decided what stories to include and what to leave out during a period of history in which political upheaval was a real possibility and a way to placate and control the people was desired. Does that sound like a reliable reference upon which to base a modern concept of God?
For those with a vision filtered through beliefs tied to such a system, of course it does. Those who can be open and live beyond the scope of ancient perceptions may start to see God outside the confines imposed by humanity.
I don’t believe there is a god, but I believe that God is all there is. By opening our minds and hearts to the fact that our limiting beliefs cannot contain God, we allow the reality of spirit to embrace us. We are not separate from God for God is not an individual being. God is found within us and we are within God. If you really want to see God, go look in the mirror. God lives through the creative energies that shape this universe and exist in every part of it, including us.
Faiths that claim a monopoly on God are shaped by a limited vision that adheres to concepts forged on anvils of ignorance. The challenge that arises for some of us comes when we think beyond that box in which many organized religions would keep us contained.
Jesus is quoted as saying ‘you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Coming to the realization that much of what is preached as the truth in most churches today is in reality concepts shaped by the minds of men and not Spirit can be a harsh awakening. Many who turn away from church end up turning away from the beauty of living a spiritual life because they associate God with religion. But God actually has very little to do with religion.
The truth can make you free if you can grasp the idea of God beyond the church.
Recently I came across a website that comes very close to what I have come to accept as my understanding of God. Check out www.spiritualatheism.org. It references the idea of ‘Spiritual Atheism.’ That would seem to be a combination of two contrary concepts. In reality, it makes perfect sense. As the website notes:
“Although Spiritual Atheists do not believe in a literal 'God'; they generally recognize 'God' as an important and powerful symbol of the inter-connectedness and one-ness of the Universe. They see that, individually, everything in the Universe is a part of 'God'; and, collectively, everything in the Universe is 'God'. And that there is only ONE 'God'.
"Even so, many Spiritual Atheists are extremely reluctant to make use of the word 'God', due to the extreme desecration it has suffered by common Theists and Atheists alike.”
For me, the truth is I can walk away from churches that place their perceptual limitations on God. I can start to find the peace that comes from accepting and understanding that the true spiritual journey does not have to follow one specific path. And I can reclaim the very word ‘God’ from those who desecrate the concept, whether they are theists or atheists.
To my friend and any others who may read this, you are a child of the universe. Do not let the limitations others impose on God keep you from the spirit you feel within.
Peace, love and light.
I don't mean religion. That's essentially a battery of man-made traditions couched in a veneer of institutionally dictated series of beliefs. It is a self-limiting pretense at understanding God usually based on an extremely narrow perspective.
Most organized religions keep God locked up in a box of their own creation. Then they play the "my God's better than yours" game that leads to anger, hostility and bitter resentment. Until we free God from our chains of limitation, I don't believe we can ever really understand the essence of God.
Recently I have had the opportunity to engage in some conversation about spirituality with someone who is pretty special. This person is intelligent, articulate and always makes me think. They indicated to me a degree of frustration with the whole concept of God, Christianity, the Bible and what it means to be spiritual. And I could sympathize. This person has a warm and caring heart and I believe wants to be connected to something bigger than self.
Don’t we all?
I believe that everyone is on a spiritual journey whether they accept it or not. Some people will agree and some will disagree. That doesn't matter. The truth is some of those who agree still aren't really doing anything about it.
My friend's frustrations address a real challenge in our society. Often any talk of the spiritual nature of life ends up tainted by societal concepts based on a culturally historic link to Judeo-Christian beliefs. When we have been surrounded all our lives by a traditional understanding of God as being the all-powerful spirit being of the Bible, our Holy Father in Heaven, a thing to be both feared and loved, breaking free from those thoughts can be difficult and leave us wondering, if not this picture of God, then what?
What indeed?
Suffice it to say we now live in a society shaped largely through beliefs fostered by a Bible that was essentially created by a group of bishops who decided what stories to include and what to leave out during a period of history in which political upheaval was a real possibility and a way to placate and control the people was desired. Does that sound like a reliable reference upon which to base a modern concept of God?
For those with a vision filtered through beliefs tied to such a system, of course it does. Those who can be open and live beyond the scope of ancient perceptions may start to see God outside the confines imposed by humanity.
I don’t believe there is a god, but I believe that God is all there is. By opening our minds and hearts to the fact that our limiting beliefs cannot contain God, we allow the reality of spirit to embrace us. We are not separate from God for God is not an individual being. God is found within us and we are within God. If you really want to see God, go look in the mirror. God lives through the creative energies that shape this universe and exist in every part of it, including us.
Faiths that claim a monopoly on God are shaped by a limited vision that adheres to concepts forged on anvils of ignorance. The challenge that arises for some of us comes when we think beyond that box in which many organized religions would keep us contained.
Jesus is quoted as saying ‘you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Coming to the realization that much of what is preached as the truth in most churches today is in reality concepts shaped by the minds of men and not Spirit can be a harsh awakening. Many who turn away from church end up turning away from the beauty of living a spiritual life because they associate God with religion. But God actually has very little to do with religion.
The truth can make you free if you can grasp the idea of God beyond the church.
Recently I came across a website that comes very close to what I have come to accept as my understanding of God. Check out www.spiritualatheism.org. It references the idea of ‘Spiritual Atheism.’ That would seem to be a combination of two contrary concepts. In reality, it makes perfect sense. As the website notes:
“Although Spiritual Atheists do not believe in a literal 'God'; they generally recognize 'God' as an important and powerful symbol of the inter-connectedness and one-ness of the Universe. They see that, individually, everything in the Universe is a part of 'God'; and, collectively, everything in the Universe is 'God'. And that there is only ONE 'God'.
"Even so, many Spiritual Atheists are extremely reluctant to make use of the word 'God', due to the extreme desecration it has suffered by common Theists and Atheists alike.”
For me, the truth is I can walk away from churches that place their perceptual limitations on God. I can start to find the peace that comes from accepting and understanding that the true spiritual journey does not have to follow one specific path. And I can reclaim the very word ‘God’ from those who desecrate the concept, whether they are theists or atheists.
To my friend and any others who may read this, you are a child of the universe. Do not let the limitations others impose on God keep you from the spirit you feel within.
Peace, love and light.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
One to the Infinite Power
A key element to making changes in life involves getting outside your comfort zone. My participation in Toastmasters enables me to do just that. While I am an adequate writer, presenting information in front of a group of people requires a different set of skills. Toastmasters provides a friendly, supportive environment that allows me to develop those skills at my own pace. I'm making changes in my life, and Toastmasters helps.
This got me thinking about others who made changes in their lives and in the world around them. And what better place to share my thoughts than at a Toastmasters breakfast meeting? So I put it all together in a speech to address one of my manual projects. It's presented below, but without my vocals. Sorry.
If you live in the Lethbridge area and are interested in simply checking out Toastmasters, just let me know. There is no obligation if you want to visit for a club meeting. Heck, we'll even buy you breakfast. Contact me and I'll put you in touch with our VP of Public Relations . . . oh, yeah. That's me, too.
For a bit about our club, check out http://eyeopener.freetoasthost.org/. And you can get in touch with me rather than the contacts on the website.
Anyway, enjoy the speech, or rather essay, I guess, as it's written here and not spoken.
One to the Infinite Power
One.
It is the smallest whole number with an actual value.
It is unique in being the common divisor for prime numbers.
And it is also the number upon which all other numbers are built.
There is power in one. And you can be the one.
Naysayers will tell you, you can’t fight city hall. Doubters will say what’s the point? I’m just one person. What can I do? Skeptics will say why vote? My one vote won’t make a difference.
But one can make all the difference in the world. A single person with a vision, passion and the heart to bring about change can do so. Cast a stone into a pond and watch as ripples expand out from the single point of impact. A solitary positive idea or goal is like that stone, creating ever expanding ripples that can wash over a society, a nation or even a world.
In the earliest part of the 20th century, one man despaired at the plight of millions. He saw oppression and a lack of rights affecting an entire ethnic group. He experienced being a victim of racism when he was thrown from a train for refusing to give up a first class seat, for which he had a valid ticket. He was beaten by a driver for refusing to ride on the footboard of a stage coach to make room for a white passenger. Though barely qualifying to enter college, he did nonetheless and became a lawyer.
Mohandas Gandhi first introduced the concept of peaceful civil disobedience while championing the civil rights of the Indian community living in South Africa. He returned to India and led campaigns for an end to poverty, for the liberation of women, for acceptance of different religions, and for the independence of his country from foreign domination.
He was one person who became known globally as Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma – a sanskrit word meaning ‘Great Soul.’
One person takes action and the ripples flow out.
Agnes Bojaxhiu (Bo-cha-shoe) was born in 1910. Her father died when she was eight-years-old. When she was 18, she left home never to see her mother or sister again. But she made a massive difference when she felt a calling to help and plunged into some of the worst slums in the world to pursue her passion. Her influence grew as did support for her efforts and by the 1970s, Mother Teresa was renowned for her compassionate work to help the poor.
When she passed away in 1997, her Missionaries of Charity had over 4,000 sisters, an associated brotherhood of 300 members, and over 100,000 lay volunteers, operating 610 missions in 123 countries.
Ripples.
Now, many may say those are the exceptions. Certainly, there are outstanding individuals who will occasionally surface and use their influence to facilitate change.
The challenge is that with people like Gandhi and Mother Teresa, we see ripples that have grown and expanded to the point of becoming irresistible tsunamis with the strength to wash away old precepts under a wave of innovation and vision.
It can be daunting to reflect on change of that magnitude. But it shouldn’t be paralyzing. Look around our own community and you will see many individuals who are making a difference. It isn’t making a big splash on the nightly news. It isn’t swirling around all over the Internet. But it is real and positive change.
In fact, we don’t have to go beyond our own Toastmasters Club to see people who, like the stone cast into the pond, are making ripples of change. At our last meeting alone, comments by three individuals told me something about themselves that shows they are making a difference.
In her reply to a Table Topics question, Anne mentioned she supports Amnesty Canada. Is there anyone who doesn’t know about Amnesty International and its work on behalf of human rights around the world?
A few weeks ago, I was fortunate to attend a showing of the movie Shake Hands with the Devil, based on Sen. Romeo Daillaire’s book about his experiences in Rwanda during the genocide of the 1990s. Before the movie, Amnesty representatives spoke about what is happening in Darfur today. It’s a group that is working to make the world a better place and Anne is one part of that group. One making a difference.
In comments about her trip to San Diego, Shirley mentioned that she always tries to make working with animals a part of her holiday time. We all know that Shirley is passionate about animals and cats in particular. She has embraced that passion and is using it to bring about positive change.
One of the measures of a society’s compassion and maturity is the way it treats the animals that live within it. Shirley’s efforts help create a more compassionate society for all of us.
In his speech, Dana shared why he really enjoys his current career in comparison to some past jobs he has held. When he spoke about being a paramedic with the fire department and the kinds of work that involves, his enthusiasm was evident. Through the course of his work, Dana strives to save property and lives. In fact, he specifically mentioned having been involved in delivering babies on the job.
Can anyone doubt that Dana is making a difference?
Ripples.
One to the infinite power. One times one times one times one multiplied out to the infinite is still just one.
That is all it takes. Make a difference. Be that one.
This got me thinking about others who made changes in their lives and in the world around them. And what better place to share my thoughts than at a Toastmasters breakfast meeting? So I put it all together in a speech to address one of my manual projects. It's presented below, but without my vocals. Sorry.
If you live in the Lethbridge area and are interested in simply checking out Toastmasters, just let me know. There is no obligation if you want to visit for a club meeting. Heck, we'll even buy you breakfast. Contact me and I'll put you in touch with our VP of Public Relations . . . oh, yeah. That's me, too.
For a bit about our club, check out http://eyeopener.freetoasthost.org/. And you can get in touch with me rather than the contacts on the website.
Anyway, enjoy the speech, or rather essay, I guess, as it's written here and not spoken.
One to the Infinite Power
One.
It is the smallest whole number with an actual value.
It is unique in being the common divisor for prime numbers.
And it is also the number upon which all other numbers are built.
There is power in one. And you can be the one.
Naysayers will tell you, you can’t fight city hall. Doubters will say what’s the point? I’m just one person. What can I do? Skeptics will say why vote? My one vote won’t make a difference.
But one can make all the difference in the world. A single person with a vision, passion and the heart to bring about change can do so. Cast a stone into a pond and watch as ripples expand out from the single point of impact. A solitary positive idea or goal is like that stone, creating ever expanding ripples that can wash over a society, a nation or even a world.
In the earliest part of the 20th century, one man despaired at the plight of millions. He saw oppression and a lack of rights affecting an entire ethnic group. He experienced being a victim of racism when he was thrown from a train for refusing to give up a first class seat, for which he had a valid ticket. He was beaten by a driver for refusing to ride on the footboard of a stage coach to make room for a white passenger. Though barely qualifying to enter college, he did nonetheless and became a lawyer.
Mohandas Gandhi first introduced the concept of peaceful civil disobedience while championing the civil rights of the Indian community living in South Africa. He returned to India and led campaigns for an end to poverty, for the liberation of women, for acceptance of different religions, and for the independence of his country from foreign domination.
He was one person who became known globally as Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma – a sanskrit word meaning ‘Great Soul.’
One person takes action and the ripples flow out.
Agnes Bojaxhiu (Bo-cha-shoe) was born in 1910. Her father died when she was eight-years-old. When she was 18, she left home never to see her mother or sister again. But she made a massive difference when she felt a calling to help and plunged into some of the worst slums in the world to pursue her passion. Her influence grew as did support for her efforts and by the 1970s, Mother Teresa was renowned for her compassionate work to help the poor.
When she passed away in 1997, her Missionaries of Charity had over 4,000 sisters, an associated brotherhood of 300 members, and over 100,000 lay volunteers, operating 610 missions in 123 countries.
Ripples.
Now, many may say those are the exceptions. Certainly, there are outstanding individuals who will occasionally surface and use their influence to facilitate change.
The challenge is that with people like Gandhi and Mother Teresa, we see ripples that have grown and expanded to the point of becoming irresistible tsunamis with the strength to wash away old precepts under a wave of innovation and vision.
It can be daunting to reflect on change of that magnitude. But it shouldn’t be paralyzing. Look around our own community and you will see many individuals who are making a difference. It isn’t making a big splash on the nightly news. It isn’t swirling around all over the Internet. But it is real and positive change.
In fact, we don’t have to go beyond our own Toastmasters Club to see people who, like the stone cast into the pond, are making ripples of change. At our last meeting alone, comments by three individuals told me something about themselves that shows they are making a difference.
In her reply to a Table Topics question, Anne mentioned she supports Amnesty Canada. Is there anyone who doesn’t know about Amnesty International and its work on behalf of human rights around the world?
A few weeks ago, I was fortunate to attend a showing of the movie Shake Hands with the Devil, based on Sen. Romeo Daillaire’s book about his experiences in Rwanda during the genocide of the 1990s. Before the movie, Amnesty representatives spoke about what is happening in Darfur today. It’s a group that is working to make the world a better place and Anne is one part of that group. One making a difference.
In comments about her trip to San Diego, Shirley mentioned that she always tries to make working with animals a part of her holiday time. We all know that Shirley is passionate about animals and cats in particular. She has embraced that passion and is using it to bring about positive change.
One of the measures of a society’s compassion and maturity is the way it treats the animals that live within it. Shirley’s efforts help create a more compassionate society for all of us.
In his speech, Dana shared why he really enjoys his current career in comparison to some past jobs he has held. When he spoke about being a paramedic with the fire department and the kinds of work that involves, his enthusiasm was evident. Through the course of his work, Dana strives to save property and lives. In fact, he specifically mentioned having been involved in delivering babies on the job.
Can anyone doubt that Dana is making a difference?
Ripples.
One to the infinite power. One times one times one times one multiplied out to the infinite is still just one.
That is all it takes. Make a difference. Be that one.
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