The STU-PENDOUS BLOG!

Life is full of interesting people. We get to meet them all the time. Some of them will come and go, others will come and stay for a while and still some come and stay with us forever. The ones that touch you deep in your soul, affect your being and strengthen your heart.

The really good ones are the ones you don’t have to see every day and when you do it’s like that they never left your side. I have a few of the the latter. Two of them are Mark and Deborah. The owners of one of my favourite places on the planet, The Granville Island Tea Company.

This little shop, I call it the hole in the wall, is a gathering place. A place we people crowd around and talk and share stories of Tea, friendship and local politics. There is always laughter and hugs. Mark and Deb treat every person like they are the most important customer to ever visit them. You walk away feeling as if you have a special bond with them, like no one else would understand the special relationship you share.

I haven’t seen them in about a year, I stopped in on my recent trip to the West. I was welcomed with a hug, a cup of Chai (no charge) and an hour of stories. At one point it got busy and the people I was talking with were suddenly behind the counter helping Deb make tea. None of them were official staff, they just help when needed.

What makes Mark and Deb so special? They have the most simple and powerful qualities… they are kind, honest, caring and sincere. They make people want to be better. I like that.

Here is today question… Read it, write it, answer it and of course share your answer here on the STUpendous BLOG!

Who are those people in your life that are like Mark and Deb? What can you do today to be like that yourself?

A typical day at the Tea Company… A small little place with a BIG heart!

For more information on Stu Saunders or YLCC please contact info@ylcc.com

It will never happen is such an absolute phrase. It announces that you have looked at all the possibilities and there is no way that “it” could ever happen again. The truth is, it’s simply not known.

Finality is such an unknown thing. World War Two was the war to end all wars… well that didn’t work. History repeats itself often. I am sitting in a restaurant in Mission BC grabbing my breakfast, listening to the news. The business report is on and the Canadian dollar closed yesterday at 1.035 US. The Loonie is well above the US dollar now. In fact it is believed that the Canadian dollar will reach 1.10 US.

As I grew up I remember my father, my teachers and others talking about how the dollar will never reach even close to the US greenback. It will never happen…

Here is today’s question… Read it, write, answer and please share your thoughts here on the STU-pendous BLOG!

What was “never” going to happen to you and did. What did we promise ourselves we wouldn’t do again and did? 

The time between blogs has been long. The reasons many. The days have been full. My time has been uncontrolled. Ever feel that way? Do you ever feel simply overwhelmed? I do. Often.

Yesterday I arrived back at my camp after a three day trip to Alberta. Wonderful time spent with 300 young student leaders from all over the province. It was wonderful to be able to kick off their provincial conference. I also got to spend three days with a dear friend, a fellow speaker, Ian Tyson (not the singer).

When I arrived back so very late. I cherished my own bed, the silence of camp. The warmth of my little cabin in the woods. I arose the next day ready to be back at camp. Then it changed, I was bombarded by “problems”. Camp directors have a word we call problems… challenges. My senior staff staff seem so stressed. Mis-communication abounding.

After a long day of listening and trying to absorb it all I was ready to spend a quite evening preparing for my week ahead. That wasn’t going to happen. I realized that I still had to drive my oldest daughter back three hours to her moms. When I arrived at my destination I was greeted by my two youngest. Running out in their pajamas for a quick hug and a chance for me to sing them their night time songs… ten minutes of pure joy, and then they left the backseat of the truck and went back inside. Emily stood at the door of the house waving until I was out of sight.

My eyes filled up with tears often as I drove the three hours back to camp. It didn’t help that I was listening to Stuart Mclean and his stories of Morley, Dave and the kids. When I arrived finally back at my camp at around Midnight I sat for a long time and wondered if it was all worth it? Being so far away from my children. Trying to keep our staff motivated through a long and busy fall. Manage (coach) a reluctant senior staff. For the first time, I didn’t get the “yes” I was looking for.

So what do I do? How do I deal with this? I have to reboot. I am committed to my dream. Soon our staff or the youth that come through the gates of the camp will make me smile and laugh. A teenager will come over give me a hug or a high five and say thanks for influencing their life. It will be ok. I will make it. The road is long but it is full of surprises.

Time to tie up my hiking boots and get back on the trail.

No question today. Write your own, one that will help you clearify what it is that you are doing. Make sure you are loving it! That’s what matters.

Good to be back.