#17 - Steve Jobs Stanford Commencement Speech 2005

This video of Steve Jobs telling three experiences from his past that he had learned from them was inspirational, eye-opening and thought-provoking. The three lessons were:

1. That you can only connect the dots looking backward. 

- What I took from this was that we are going to make many decisions in our lives, some simple (like if we should wake up on time or just sleep in those 10 precious minutes) and some that will change the path of our lives (like what university to go to). These are two decisions that can make a difference in our lives, however we may not know it until years down the road. I think that this was a helpful piece of advice as, right now, people are asking me where I want to go to University and what program I'm interested in. This, for me is easy, although, then people ask about where I want to be in 10 years. The answer for this is a little more complicated. I have no clue where I will be in 10 years. I might be unhappy, married, with a job I hate and no kids, though I could also be happy, travelling, and single, but I might even be dead. The truth is none of us knows what tomorrow will bring so I think that by hearing Steve Jobs talk about how his life has been, shows us that we should live for today and to think about what will make us happy if we are lucky enough to have a tomorrow. 

2. "If you live each day as though its your last, one day you will most certainly be right"

- The thought of living each day as your last, isn't a new concept to society, however, actually thinking that one day you will most certainly be right is kind of crazy. I've known a lot of people that have past away throughout going to high school, so I try to get the most out of my life and make sure that I have plans to make sure I'm happy in the future. Though, the question that Jobs asked himself everyday, "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to be doing what I'm about to do for my last day?", was eye-opening for me. Although I love the question, my first thought was that I'm still in high school and that I have my whole life ahead of me outside of going to IDCI. However, after I thought about it some more, I realized that I shouldn't be waiting to make sure that I am happy with what I'm doing, I should be happy now. So, now I've started asking myself before I get up every morning if I would be happy having today as my last, and I'm slowly making little changes. 

3. Remembering that you are going to die, makes following your heart easy. 

- My favourite line from this story was, "Sometimes life is going to hit you over the head with a brick, don't lose faith." Though this is a funny quote, there is also a lot of meaning behind the laughter. I think that many people settle for a lifestyle, while some keep fighting for their dream their entire life and never quite make it. It is my goal to never settle for anything. This is my hope as I believe that if we are to quit fighting for something half way through we won't ever experience total happiness. I also think that in order to gain anything we have to give up something as well. This is a balance that (in my opinion) many people don't understand. In today's society, many just want, want, want and never give, so I think that these people aren't actually totally successful. It is a common belief that money is happiness and that work is more important than home, however for me those two things are a lie. I think by keeping in mind that we will all die one day can help us remember what is truly important.  

So, stay hungry, stay foolish.  

RIP Jamie

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/17/blog-reveals-sad-final-weeks-before-gay-teens-suicide/
Another gay teen committed suicide this past weekend in Ottawa. How does this keep happening without any changes? These suicides should be making people think about how their actions affect others.

Attack took her sight, but not her dreams

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/ubc-student-blinded-in-horrific-attack-learning-to-live-without-sight/article2197693/

Rumana Monzur's courage and drive is amazing even after this experience!

#16 - Quarter Term Mark

So far, during this semester, in class I've been involved in many things. I've made many posters, such as, Spirited, which is in the cafeteria, and two Cross Country posters for the pep rally tomorrow. I have also counted money throughout the semester for dance tickets and the money from selling drinks at the dance. Another way I have participated in class is visited Mrs. Weller's class to talk about Me to We. Sarah and I went at told them all about what we do in Me to We and at IDCI to help start change. As well as participating in Me to We, I am a part of the group organizing the United Way Stair Climb. This includes going from class to class to tell them about the envent, making posters and getting spirit items to hand out. Recycling is another acitivity that I have been a part of, going around to all the depots and collecting the bins is starting to make our school a bit greener!
Outside of class I've been involved in Me to We as a member of the executive and planning events. Our first event within the school is Halloween for Hunger which I hope will be even larger than last year! I've also sold drinks at the Orientaiton Dance as all the profit went the help Me to We. Our goal this year is to give health care to our community in Serria Leone, this will finish off one community entire community! They will now have education, clean water, a sustainable income and health care! In the coming weeks I also hope to join Best Buddies and GSA, these clubs interest me, allow me to have new leadership roles and I think I can learn a lot. In the next month, I hope to be a part of organizing Challenge Day! This is a very exciting event that, in my opinion, will create a lot of change. :)

#15 - Leaders and Leadership

The leaders of the major provicial parties running to be premier last week were; Dalton McGuinty (Liberal), Tim Hudak (PC) and Andrea Horwath (NDP). 

The election had a very low voting rate of 47%. This is a very disappointing statistic, however I think that political leaders fail to inspire citizens to vote because they don't ever live up to what they say they will accomplish with their power. As citizens realize that politicians don't follow through with their promises, I believe that citizens begin to be less interested in voting for a group of people when they believe that all of the parties are the same. Young Canadians also have a harder time voting than older Canadians. As young Canadians are usually attending University during elections, it would make sense to make it very easy for students to vote at their school. However, it has been very difficult for students to vote as many don't live in the same city as their University and therefore are forced to do many different things before being allowed to vote. If politicians cared about the voting rates, I think that they would've made it easier for everyone to vote.

For Good - Wicked

I saw Wicked live in New York last Christmas. It was one of the most amazing shows I've seen! This song has stuck with me and has taught me a lot. :)

Im limitedJust look at me - Im limitedAnd just look at youYou can do all I couldn't do, GlindaSo now it's up to youFor both of us - now it's up to you...
I've heard it saidThat people come into our lives for a reasonBringing something we must learnAnd we are ledTo those who help us most to growIf we let themAnd we help them in returnWell, I don't know if I believe that's trueBut I know I'm who I am todayBecause I knew you...
Like a comet pulled from orbitAs it passes a sunLike a stream that meets a boulderHalfway through the woodWho can say if I've been changed for the better?But because I knew youI have been changed for good
It well may beThat we will never meet againIn this lifetimeSo let me say before we partSo much of meIs made from what I learned from youYou'll be with meLike a handprint on my heartAnd now whatever way our stories endI know you have re-written mineBy being my friend...
Like a ship blown from its mooringBy a wind off the seaLike a seed dropped by a skybirdIn a distant woodWho can say if I've been changed for the better?But because I knew you
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good
And just to clear the airI ask forgivenessFor the things I've done you blame me for
But then, I guess we knowThere's blame to share
And none of it seems to matter anymore
Like a comet pulled from orbitAs it passes a sunLike a stream that meets a boulderHalfway through the wood
Like a ship blown from its mooringBy a wind off the seaLike a seed dropped by a bird in the wood
Who can say if I've beenChanged for the better?I do believe I have beenChanged for the better
And because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...I have been changed for good...