Floating around the internet for the past 15 years there has been a something called the Charles Schulz Philosophy, a meme or story that has long since been debunked as being in fact, his. Yet, whoever created the original e-mail (pre-Facebook sharing time), really had good insight. This is an adaptation of that philosophy and one that is worth being introduced to as we celebrate the beginning of a new year.
Now, without the help of Google, can you answer the following questions? (OK…maybe less answering and more pondering)
Who are the five wealthiest people in the world this year?
Who were the winners of the Juno’s Album of the Year for the past five years?
Who were awarded the CFL’s Most Outstanding Players for the last five years?
Who were the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress?
Which teams won the Stanley Cup over the last five years?
The point is, those folks, the ones that make the headlines, that we may even cheer on as they entertain, inform or inspire us, they come and go in our memory and consciousness. Yet, these people are some of the greatest at what they do – professionals who are with these awards recognized as to how important they are to their team, their industry or to the public. Yet, we forget. Now it’s no less important for them as individuals – but for us, the glory of the person fades. These are not the people who matter the most to us, even if we sometimes forget that.
So who does? Well…
Can you name a teacher or other support that helped you through your journey in school?
Can you name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time at some point in your life?
Who are five people you enjoy spending time with?
Can you identify five people who have taught you something worthwhile?
Who are two people who have made you feel like you mattered, you are important and you belonged?
The people who make a difference in your life are not the always going to be the ones with the most letters after their names, the most fame and celebrity, the most money or the winner of awards. They simply are the ones who care the most, who reach back when you reach out, and who remind you that you matter to them – by their words, actions and considerations of you and your needs. These are the people we remember.
As the New Year begins, you have the chance to literally turn a page in the new book we are each writing, called 2015. This year, even if you applaud the successes (or simply being aware of them) of celebrities and newsmakers – work towards celebrating and honouring those who matter to you directly. Share with those that have made a difference in your life – so they know that they too matter. You get to author how these heroes, in their own way, are recognized and acknowledged.
When we look back and reflect on 2014, and if we’re not totally happy with the storyline or how it ended – the greatest gift we are given with 2015 – is that we are the editors of this book, 2015. This year, not only can you recognize those that have supported you but you have the privilege of writing yourself in as being that person for someone else…you get to reach out so others can reach back.
So as we look back to 2014 at Three Things Consulting, we are reminded of those who have reached out and provided us the opportunity to reach back and be of service and for that we are very grateful. Our clients had us travel throughout Canada to rural, remote and urban centres in almost every province and territory and within a number First Nations, including Paul First Nation where we spent considerable time visiting, listening and learning from youth, families, Elders and community leaders. We led Calmer Classrooms with middle school children, met hundreds of girls and their allies who lead gender focused programming, provided training to front line workers across the country and shared inspirational talks with youth and adults throughout Canada. We led youth and young adults in multi-day processes that explored community development, suicide prevention, life celebration, colonization, youth leadership and gang prevention. After our term ended on The Premier’s Council on Youth Opportunities and we concluded our work with the National Task Force on Sex Trafficking of Women and Girls in Canada, our pro-bono work continued as we began working with local youth in Kingston on an exchange trip with them to the Northwest Territories taking place this year.
So as we reflect on 2014, we know it’s the people we met – those who brought us in to provide support and those who are part of the processes we led, it’s those who matter to us and to each of you we say thank you. Your commitment to stronger communities, healthier and safer spaces and opportunities for youth and the overall well being of the people around you reminds us daily of all the good in the world.
As we celebrate the 3rd anniversary of Three Things Consulting this week, we get ready to write our book for 2015. We simply hope you will be chose to be a character in our story. We’d love to have you.