The STU-PENDOUS BLOG!

I am constantly confronted by images in the media that tell me to look left, to look right, to look like someone else. I am guilty of it myself, I seek to be more attractive. I hope that if I just make myself a little more toned, then that one girl who I want to get attention from might actually look twice.

I think in the back of my head, that when I am on stage people must think I am awkward looking. I mean at my age should I be worried about that? Should I or you be thinking about what others think of us? The answer is yes and no… yes if it is your attitude or the way to carry yourself. What you say and do is far more of a measuring stick then how you look. No, if it is the shell. In fact, many of the images that we see of “beautiful” people aren’t even the people we think we are looking at.

One of my dear friends SuLa brought my attention to a video about Dove’s “Campaign for Real Beauty”. It is incredible… truly an amazing and at the same time, upsetting video about the unrealistic expectations that we put on ourselves and others to be “beautiful”.

If there is one thing I know, true beauty, as cheesy as it sounds, comes from the inside. The more we try and make ourselves into something we are not, the harder it will become to reach those false expectations.

Was Ghandi or Terry Fox not beautiful? I would rather have ten thousand of the “regular” people that I meet in schools every day then one Brad or Angelina! Here is a sad statement… we spend more time reading the tabloids then we spend reading to our children. What is more important to you… your children, yourself, your family or some fake expectation of what ”true” beauty is?

If you are new to the BLOG, welcome! If you are a regular reader, you know what to do! Get out your journal and start writing. Here is today’s question: 

What is true beauty to you? What is it around you that you can find that true beauty in?

Please DON’T HESITATE to post your comments here with your thoughts on the question or the video. 

Today’s picture is of a mirror… go and find one…. there you will find something special.

For more information on any of our programs go to www.ylcc.com

Sitting here in my office on a cold day and wondering when spring will arrive? I know it’s only October but I believe that spring is coming. It has to come, we are just about to wrap up our fall season and we have had an incredible year. I believe that it has been our best year! I think that we have the opportunity each day to change the world, to make it better. How we react to what is happening around us is how we live in our moments.

I believe that we will make next year even better. In fact, we will continue to find ways to open people’s eyes to their potential. You see, I believe that everyone can change the world.

That’s what Ward Bingham thinks too. He believes that the he can change the world, by making individual impacts through his site www.mondonation.com

His story is incredible… what he is doing is amazing… I am proud to say that we are partnering with mondonation.com to help change the world.

I believe that my children will change the world.

Through this simple video mondonation has reached hundreds of thousands of people… his website has been growing at an incredible rate and the word is spreading.

One person…

One idea…

I beleive he will change the world. You can help… visit the site, order a shirt, pick a charity and send a message… your message.

For anyone who is new to the STU-PENDOUS BLOG you need to grab yourself a journal, I post questions and you answer them. Through this process you will increase your awareness.

Here is today’s question and PLEASE make sure to post your comments here… especially with this question.

What are your top five beliefs? What are those beliefs that drive you each day?

Today’s pic comes from www.mondonation.com what are you waiting for click it!

I debated for a long time whether I should write this BLOG, but in the end I decided I should. Every time I write a blog it reminds me why I do what I do and how I need to keep making myself better. I hope that with each new entry, the hundreds of readers will through my questions and stories challenge themselves not be like me, but to simply be better.

I am no expert, I do not live a perfect life, I make mistakes and learn from them like everyone else. I even slip back into old ways sometimes… I am human.

Here is the point of my BLOG. I receive a call yesterday from a school that was cancelling their registration for our upcoming conference OSLC. Her reason was because one of the speakers that we had scheduled to appear, is not going to be able to attend. She said…

“We are not going to attend because the students where really only looking forward to seeing that speaker.”

Well that’s so unfortunate for a couple of reason… I am convinced not many of her students have ever even seen that speaker before and wouldn’t know what they had missed. More importantly though… these students are going to miss out on perhaps the single largest group of speakers, trainers and positive students and teachers in Canada.

This year, we have over 20 professional speakers. Our keynote’s include CBC’s George Stroumboulopoulos, Phil Boyte (perhaps the best speaker for youth in North America) and Super Bowl Legend, Curt Marsh. We also pretty much have every young and upcoming speaker in Canada. The workshops are the most diverse we’ve had in years and the energy… it will be incredible.

Leadership is the combination of many different things. To say that their students would simply benefit from one hour, of one speech, is saying that being a leader has only one view or one group of ideas. I may be wrong, but I have sometimes learned more from people who weren’t the “big” speakers. For example, our showcase speaker is a young man by the name of Mark Black, if you have a second look at his website. This 28 year old survived a triple transplant, ran two marathons and was told he wouldn’t survive to the age he is. Spend some time with this man and you feel as if you can change the world.

So am I disappointed that one of our speakers that we hoped would be at the conference isn’t, yes… has it caused us to bring together an even better group of inspirational speakers and human beings… yes again.

As people, we have a chance to open our minds each day and be ready to learn, grow and expand the limits we see in our world. What I know for sure, is by not going to conferences, by not hearing new speakers, by not reading books on leadership or great biographies we cheat ourselves and those around us of what we can, could and should be.

Get out your journals and pens… here is today’s question.

What can you do today, in fact before you fall asleep tonight, that will open your mind up to new ideas? What are you doing each day to become a better leader of your friends, students, family, co-workers and even yourself?

Please post your thoughts here in the BLOG. The good news about (silver lining) about a school dropping out it allows one of the many who are trying to get in an opportunity to grow and learn. Today’s picture comes from Mark Black that young speaker who WILL be at the 27th annual Ontario Student Leadership Conference.

For more information on OSLC goto www.ylcc.com

Just about to board a flight from Edmonton back to Toronto and I am excited about my flight. That is the first time in a long time that I have thought that.

Air Canada has introduced a new plane this year called an E90, very sleek very fast. What it makes it cool that not only does the plane have a nice, calming interior, but it also has the first on-demand entertainment system in Canada. It is great, really sleek, lots of options. Movies, shows, information and even games for the kids. They have even promised more in the future.

On a 4 hour flight it’s nice to be able to program your own time. On the way to Edmonton yesterday, I worked on my computer, read a book, did some journalling and then watched a movie and a great show on the future of travel and even time travel.

It was great. Being able to control your time is so important, once you take control of it you will be happier, healthier and be able to achieve your wildest dreams!

Here is today’s question… thanks to all those that replied to the last blog, I had close to 1000 readers (a record). Please if you have time pass on the link.

What are the obstacles that prevent you from controlling your time? What can you do today to take better control of your day? What can you do right now to take a 1% action step towards having that control?

Please post your ideas here, this is a question that by writing your comments could help others.

Today’s picture is of the planes entertainment system… Nicely done Air Canada!

For more info contact stu@ylcc.com

Sitting here on a very early Tuesday morning, most of the world still asleep. My family still sleeping. I love getting up early it allows me time to read, exercise, write and reflect.

Reflection is the key today, we don’t do that enough. Some of us spend way to much time reflecting on negative memories, incidents and experiences that have happened in our lives. I have a friend that had a relationship of one year break up in a very harsh way. There is no question that she had to deal with some very real emotions. She thought that this guy was “the” one. Well, now more then two years after the loss of the relationship she is still bitter, angry and sad. Not allowing herself to enjoy life and to experience the incredible joy that each day has to offer.

By being angry or upset with friends, ex’s, family or even lossed loved ones we actually cheat ourselves. We don’t take control of our life, we lose control to others. I went through a rough seperation five years ago this month, and at the time I was bitter. From the outside, people would have thought I had plenty of reason to be angry. The truth is I am the peson I am today because of that experience. I am a better, I am stronger and happier. I am not bitter, not at all.

HUGE idea… if you take the word BITTER and change only one letter you get BETTER. So… all of us have reached the day after Thanksgiving. This is the time to turn over a new leaf, to write a new chapter… heck, why not a whole new book. You get more from life by moving forward, not backwards or even staying parked in that same place.

Get out your journals and write down the following…

What are 25 things (I originally was going to ask for 100) that you are grateful for in your life? What people, experiences, places or possesions make you smile?

Please write down you top 5 here. If you don’t have a journal then grab a scrap of paper and getting writing. Please write down your top five here in the STUpendous BLOG! Share….

Today’s picture comes from the weekend… we missed you K!

For more information of any of our programs please contact us at info@ylcc.com or call directly to 705-326-2433

I was in the big town of Elgin yesterday speaking at Rideau District. Great time, great people, great fun! When I arrived at the school at 7 am I was greeted by my name in big letters on the school sign…

“Welcome Stu Saunders!”

I felt warmth right away; I was excited about what my day held for me. Every day we have the opportunity to interact with people. They may be friends, colleagues, clients or family. How we treat them will sometimes directly change how we are treated, in fact, it is almost always the case.

On my way up to Eastern Ontario I ran into some car troubles, I had to be towed all the way to Napanee, Ontario, about 50 kms from my where I had booked my hotel for the evening in Kingston. I was dropped off at the Hampton Inn and Suites where, after my explanation of my ”troubles”, was treated my like royalty. They got me a great room, made me some tea and helped me with my new driving directions for the next day.

Then I called the Comfort Inn in Kingston (I never stay at these hotels and I was reminded why), after explaining my situation, I asked for my reservation to be canceled. The lady on the other end of the phone replied to my story with…

“Your reservation is cancelled and you will be charged for the room.”

I asked if they where full, she said no not even close.

When I tried to ask the logic  behind this “rule”. She said…

“I don’t make the rules, I don’t really care and I just work here.”

Here is the HUGE IDEA, the desk clerk at the Hampton also “just worked” there. He made me feel great, gave me a great rate and helped me organize my next day. He made me feel like I mattered.

Here is today’s question…

What can you do today and this weekend to make your friends, family and clients feel as if they truly matter to you? 

PLEASE write the question and answer in your journal and also let other readers in the BLOG know what you are going to do!

Have a great Thanksgiving! Today’s picture is that sign! Thanks RDHS!