Dennis Prager's Happiness Hour

I found this podcast to be extremely interesting. Dennis Prager focuses on the images that people have of what their life should be like and if reality doesn't live up to those images then unhappiness often results.

The audio starts at 1:30. When you reach a commercial, you can skip ahead about 5 minutes each time.

1st Presbyterian Church

I accepted the invitation of my friend, Rose, to attend her church. After picking me up at my hotel we drove up the Pali Highway and through the tunnel as if we were going to Kailua. But at the first traffic light we turned left and headed Northwest on Highway 83. She soon turned left again, onto the grounds of the Ko'olau Golf Club.


To my astonishment, the 1st Presbyterian Church of Honolulu co-exists with a functioning golf resort. This clearly wasn't like any Catholic Church I had ever attended! Rose gave me a brief tour, introduced me to several friends of hers and then we sat down for the service. It didn't have the formality of masses I was familiar with but everyone seemed full of great joy, which I admired

The highlight of the service was hearing a 21 year old woman from the Philippines talk about her life growing up in poverty and how an organization called Compassion International dramatically helped her and her family. It was a pretty powerful and emotional talk she gave. She never played the victim though but just matter of factly related her upbringing, which I dare say was probably much more severe than anyone who has a computer to read these very words.

Afterwards we were invited to view info packets about kids around the world who need sponsoring. I recorded the information about 4 of them, all in Latin America. I absolutely plan on sponsoring one and perhaps even two children once I get back home. For just $384 per year you can dramatically change the path of another's life; someone who is truly in need. Apologies if this sounds like an infomercial but the whole experience had a very profound effect on me. This agency reportedly has a solid track record on transparency and not wasting money on bureaucracy, two factors which are absolutely critical to me.
The church & golf course reside directly below some pretty amazing mountains. Next time I come back to Oahu I plan to hike up one of these!

Pete McMartin on the True Meaning of Christmas

The Vancouver Sun's Pete McMartin has written a beautiful column for Christmas that will bring joy to even the most cynical heart.

Happy Thanksgiving to my American Friends

Michelle Malkin has an inspirational story that will give you much energy for the year ahead!

Sarah Palin: Right Time, Right Person

The Positive Power of the Internet

I just read Rob Breakenridge's new piece on last week's "trial" and sent him this note:

Rob, stepping back a minute, I'm struck by what an amazing tool for freedom and free speech the Internet has become for all of us. Your article is a brilliant one, pulling together quotations that, even just 10 years ago, would have been very difficult to find, especially in a timely fashion.

While the Internet does serve as a breeding ground for the lunatic fringe, it also provides a space for the likes of you & me to express our opinions and hopefully start a dialogue with those open minded enough to have one.

Living in Vancouver, this past week was a troubling one for me, but I'm now starting to feel a renewed optimism about my country and the people in it. A positive future, more akin to Tarek Fatah's vision, seems more & more likely. Though the big lesson for me from this past week is that us "sheepdogs" must always be vigilant to ensure that the positive future remains that way!

Inspirational Lecture by Professor Randy Pausch

Paul Potts: An Exemplary Talent!

One of the reasons I love blogs is because they often clue me into information that I would otherwise never hear of. Credit for this posting must go to David Berner, fellow Vancouver blogger.

Too often these days the media, in their never ending thirst to fill air space, pushes upon us "pretty" people with no talent whatsoever. Earlier this year there was wall to wall coverage of Anna Nicole Smith's death and the ridiculous fiasco that ensued. Then a few months ago there was the boy who couldn't sing, Sanjaya Malakar, appearing on American Idol night after night. Most recently we were treated to the Queen of Vapid, Paris Hilton, spending some time in jail. She is famous for being famous. Her own saving grace is that she instantly reminds everyone that being rich doesn't at all prevent one from being a complete moron!

Through all of this, there's a natural tendency to shun television, the Internet, and all the rest of it as a colossal waste of time.

But surprise, surprise, then something amazing happens in the form of one Paul Potts, British cel phone salesman, and someone you would almost certainly walk right past and never think anything more of. He appeared out of the blue on an American-idol like shown called "Britain's Got Talent". Turn your speakers up and watch these 3 videos, of Mr. Potts' initial appearance, semi-final appearance, and grand finale. In the first video, pay special attention to the reaction of judge, Amanda Holden:




As of this writing, the videos have been watched on YouTube, 6 Million, 1.5 Million, and 1 Million times respectively. Amazing, amazing, amazing!!!

Paul Potts is a vivid reminder to all of us to never judge a person by their cover. You can visit his new website here.

A Heartwarming Story From Earlier Today

Today was one of BC Digital Divide's monthly distribution days. This time around, so many great things happened. I'd like to share one story with you, in the form of a self-explanatory letter I just sent to Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland:

To Whom It May Concern:

Today I had the great pleasure to meet one Jeannie ######, who I learned, has been a "little sister" within your organization for several years. She's now a nursing student at Langara College and received a substantial scholarship from your organization, which will pay for her entire university education. She was exceptionally bright, polite, and full of great determination.

My group, BC Digital Divide, provided her with a Dell laptop computer and her mom with a desktop computer. I am absolutely sure they will both be put to good use! Her mom was in tears, explaining to me how back in her home country this sort of generosity just does not occur. She got pregnant with Jeannie at an early age and wasn't able to get the education she wanted. But she is adamant that her daughter will follow a different path. I reflected upon this and pointed out that she was living the Canadian Dream!!

While I'm sure that Jeannie's mom has had a big role in helping raise such an outstanding young woman, something tells me that her Big Sister also had a major influence. If you could pass on my heartfelt congratulations to this woman, I would very much appreciate it!

Keep up the GREAT work you all do!!!

Sincerely,

Robert Werner
Founder
BC Digital Divide

Thought of the Day

There's a wise old phrase that says: "Give a man a fish and he'll be back tomorrow for another one. Teach a man how to fish and he'll have food for a lifetime."

I'd like to change this a bit: "Treat a person like a victim and they'll be back for more support tomorrow. Give someone a hand-up but insist that they be responsible for themselves and you will empower a person to have much self-esteem and who will make a positive contribution to society."

Young Brilliance: You Just Never Know Where It Might Lead

This is the current image on the Microsoft home page. It reminded me of the young fellow from Somalia who my organization gave a computer to the other day. How many people thought young Bill Gates would accomplish what he did and literally change the daily activities of billions of people. No, not all on his own, but great things often come from just one or a small handful of people. Gates has proved that intelligence, perseverance, determination, and lots of hard work can accomplish great things.

Spreading Positive Canadian Energy

Whenever I go on a trip away from Canada I always pack a bunch of stickers and temporary tattoos like these. You can get them at a dollar store for next to nothing. I always carry some around with me and hand them out to the parents of screaming kids or just about anyone I get into a memorable conversation with. They work wonders and bring wide smiles aplenty!

Wise Words from Sheryl Crow

It's not having what you want. It's wanting what you've got.

From "Soak Up The Sun", circa 2002

Giving a Break to Hassled Customer Service People

I received this from a friend and just had to post it!

Written by Harry Tucker

I was recently traveling during bad weather that had caused cancellations of many flights. I was sitting by the gate, having already changed my ticket and was watching the unfortunate airline rep at the gate counter. She was being bombarded by people who seemed to assume that the poor weather and flight cancellations were her fault. Each one in turn laid all of their grief on her and I could see she was being pushed to the brink...

A little ah-ha light bulb flashed in my mind and since I am apt to follow my instinct, I stood up and took my place in the line of ornery people intent on sharing their bad day with her.

I patiently waited my turn and when I was finally standing in front of her, her weary eyes looked up to me, her forehead creased with stress and she asked "May I help you, sir?" I said "Yes you can". I then suggested that she act busy while I spoke to her. I told her I stood in line to give her a 5 minute break. While she typed (I have no idea what she typed), I explained to her that while all of these people were intent on ruining her day, the fact that she had other people in her life that really cared about her and that she had passions in her life that gave her life meaning was far more important than what was happening here today. In circumspect, what was happening here wasn't important and shouldn't stress her out.

We chatted back and forth for a few minutes as she continued to look busy. After seeing her regain her composure, I knew she had to get back to her work and I wished her a great day, telling her it was time for the next customer.

She looked up at me and I could see that her eyes were slightly welling up. "Thank you so much", she said, "I don't know how to thank you for this". I smiled and told her the best way to thank me was to pass on the kindness to someone else when she had the chance.