Inspiration

“Meaning is not something you stumble across, like the answer to a riddle or the prize in a treasure hunt. Meaning is something you build into your life. You build it out of your own past, out of your affections and loyalties, out of the experience of humankind as it is passed on to you, out of your own talent and understanding, out of the things you believe in, out of the things and people you love, out of the values for which you are willing to sacrifice something. The ingredients are there. You are the only one who can put them together into that unique pattern that will be your life. Let it be a life that has dignity and meaning for you. If it does, then the particular balance of success or failure is of less account.”

— From a speech John W. Gardner delivered to the Hawaii Executive Conference in Kona, Hawaii, in April 1993

Seattle

I was away in Seattle for a few days attending the "Everything Must Change" conference. What a great city. We had some Seattle rain, Seattle sunshine, caught a ballgame, went to a blues club, toured Freemont, Pikes Market and ate some great food. How can a city of < 500,000 have so much to offer?

Social Influence Survey

Oops

I knew I had been away for a while but it seems that it has been 6 weeks. I was involved with the provincial election here and blogging about democracy and innovation (together and separate) but I am back for a while.

I had been struggling with a major decision recently and having found a resolution last week, I am feeling extremely thankful. I am thankful for;
In no particular order

1. my beloved
2. my health
3. my job
4. my freedom
5. my grandkids
6. the weather
7. amazing opportunities
8. friends far and wide
9. my faith
10. Spring
11. travel ( even if it is to Toronto twice in a month)
12. music ( go Serena Ryder and EVOC)
13. good food
14. strong drink
15. books, books and more books

What would be on your list?

It Starts With You

Every Monday Matters starts with YOU. YOU have to decide that YOU want to be a difference maker. But don’t keep this to yourself. That would be a strange form of selfishness. Share it. Talk about it. Email about it. Text about it. Let your friends, family, co-workers, fellow students know about it. Get them involved with you.

We are looking for people who want to lead a small army out there. If you want to start an Every Monday Matters Team in your neck of the woods, let us know. We will help you get one started. Then it is your baby to grow and nurture. We want you to be creative. Take photos. Videos. Start a MySpace Page. This is YOUR movement.

And always remember…

IT STARTS WITH YOU.

Just Something to Ponder

"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems."



Mohandas Gandhi

A Small action can Do Some Good

Visit Do some Good where Cindy Kruschel and the team at LJUrban have committed to fund the complete training of up to 20 local masons in Burkina Faso. Training will be provided for a new mason for each 100,000 visitors. Take a few minutes and view the video. Come back often and encourage others to visit. We want to ensure that the results allow LJUrban to fund the full 20 training programs.

Don't Take Things for Granted

"This is a high-stakes election and I don't think voters are going to let any candidate take anything for granted," he said. "They want to lift the hood and kick the tyres." Barak Obama

A few question

What Would Happen

What would happen if we strived less for 'stuff' and more for impact? What if we didn't seek to have more but to do more? Would the world look like a different place?

Can you take a 3 day challenge and spend from today until Friday conscious of your actions. Do you really need to spend your 'Christmas money" on a new ipod when your mp3 player is working fine? Can the height of fashion wait while you don't buy new designer jeans? Will you fade away if you don't indulge in desert? While taking the challenge - watch for the desires that crop up. Are they self serving, damaging, filling a void or will they, once filled, have a lasting impact. I suggest that if there isn't a lasting impact then curb that desire and wait for something important to surface.

Green Survey 2

Green Survey

We Can Change the World

QUOTES from Jane Goodall

"We CAN change the world."

You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make

"I just have this absolute belief that humans are moving away from cruelty and destruction towards a time when we can truly live in harmony with nature. When we understand that there is a spiritual power around us from which we can draw strength. That is where I believe human destiny ultimately is taking us. I just hope we have time."

The greatest danger to our future is apathy.

Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.

We humans, therefore, have a choice ahead of us, we don't have to go the aggressive route. We can push and push and push towards love and compassion. That is where I believe human destiny ultimately is taking us.

If you really want something, and really work hard, and take advantage of opportunities, and never give up, you will find a way.

It's easy to become hopeless. So people must have hope: the human brain, the resilience of nature, the energy of young people and the sort of inspiration that you see from so many hundreds of people who tackle tasks that are impossible and never give up and succeed.

We can't leave people in abject poverty, so we need to raise the standard of living for 80% of the world's people, while bringing it down considerably for the 20% who are destroying our natural resources.

Only if we understand can we care. Only if we care will we help. Only if we help shall they be saved.

Lasting change is a series of compromises. And compromise is all right, as long your values don't change.

Herein lies the real hope for our future. We are moving toward the ultimate destiny of our species—a state of compassion and love.

“I think one of the most important goals we need to strive for is the education of women, because women are the backbone of society.”

Where do You Want Calgary to be in 60 Years?

There is a "Plan It" initiative from the City to ask citizens about how we think Calgary should grow. It is just 5 questions. Please fill it out.

Survey

Doctor Survey

BYOB

Bring Your Own Bags
Most of us have been reconditioned into carrying our own bags to the market or grocery. If you are like me, you don't think about it when doing other shopping. I returned home this week after buying gifts with 4 huge plastic bags and realized that I was going to create more waste by wrapping or paper bagging these presents. I think there is a choice. The local $1 Store regularly has gift bags on for a loonie but the big 3 grocers here are also offering reusable fabric bags for 99 cents. How crafty and creative can you get decorating a reusable bag with enviro friendly accesories?

Give Water - Twice

For those who know me or have read my blogs, you will know that I believe we need to stop purchasing bottled water for our own use. The shift from water to a commodity is dangerous and detrimental to those most in need. However Charity, a non-profit organization stimulating greater global awareness about extreme poverty, educating
the public, and provoking compassionate and intellingent giving.

Give a $20 bottle of charity: water to a friend or loved one this holiday, and give a person you've never met in Africa clean water for 20 years. 100%* goes directly to building wells. We'll ship it to them with a customized note hand written by a charity: water volunteer. Shipping +$6. | Ships same day, only to U.S. and Canada.

WHAT'S IN THE TUBE? The bottle will arrive gift packaged in a clear tube, with a charity: water informational foldout. A note will be included with your personalized message to the recipient, stating that a $20 donation has been made in their name. view the card >>
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO? Your $20 donations are combined. Depending on varying project and material costs in the countries we work, it can take anywhere from 200 to 600 bottles to build a well. charity: pools the $20's together and uses 100 percent* of the money to build freshwater wells in Africa.

Year End World News Survey

Wednesday Thoughts

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” - Thomas jefferson

“Honest hearts produce honest actions.” - Brigham Young

"No legacy is so rich as honesty.” - william Shakespere

News Survey