Pay It Forward

There was a movie made in 2000 called Pay It Forward, starring Kevin Spacey and the boy from the Sixth Sense, which made me think the other day. The film was not the most entertaining but had a very strong message within it. Given by the title of the film, its main plot is surrounded by the concept that one act of human kindness will snowball into more acts of human kindness -- pay it forward. It sounds quite simple, but how often do we care to actually do it?

We are living in world today where we create very, very busy lives. We are attached to our BlackBerry's, emails, the internet, and somewhere along the line we lose touch with what it is to be human. This movie made me think about that. I am guilty of being one of those people who check their email 1,000 times a day. And I think its important that we do not lose touch with the important things in life.

Go out of your way to help someone -- it can be big, small, indirect, or direct. Create that one act of human kindness and tell them to pay it forward. It grows at an exponential rate and the outcome is people helping people. And if you do happen to help someone, post how you did so.

The Beauty of Tomorrow

I wrote this note a few years back when I was transitioning from high school to university. That next chapter in my life made me think a lot about what tomorrow will bring. Enjoy!

There is a sense of relief and security that passes through me once each day. It’s a reassurance of hope. And when I get this feeling I am thinking about the beauty of tomorrow. Not to say that something special is happening tomorrow, but it is what is not happening tomorrow… the unknown. Knowing that tomorrow brings a new day, with new things to come. It is knowing that tomorrow a new opportunity can come your way, or something life changing can happen. But do not live your life waiting for "the" tomorrow to happen, yet live your life with hope because one day's tomorrow will happen. And if nothing happens tomorrow and it was a lot like today… there is always the day after tomorrow. And the beauty of this is that everyday there will always be a tomorrow. So look forward to the next minute, hour, or day. Think of the opportunities that can pass your way. Prepare for the people that may change your life. And never worry about where you are going right now, because tomorrow is a new day with new opportunity… and there will always be tomorrow.

Refuse to Exist

A few weeks ago I attended a speaker session for an event called MARS Forum that we run through the DeGroote Marketing Association at school. The speaker, Kirk Tilley, ended his presentation with a quote and story that really was inspiring: "Refuse to exist."

He went on to further explain this quote as everyday he refuses to just exist in the world. Refusing to exist would never create positive change, transformation, and impact. I felt this was such a motivating motto to live by and something I could truly relate to.

Everyday we are posed with decisions that require action and will develop reaction. These are the choices that reflect our character -- or the character we will become. And with these choices, we can choose to exist or not exist; create impact or just be a spectator to life. I choose the first. And when I think about that quote, which I have pinned on the wall above my computer desk, I decide that today I am going to create impact, whether it is in someone's life, my own, or a community or people. The world is the biggest variable ever created. Possibilities are endless and opportunities are limitless. Each day something truly amazing could occur that has never been done before. When opportunity comes knocking, answer it and refuse to just exist!

How are you refusing to just exist?