Please donate…

Jul 14

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts | 1 Comment

My Mom is alive today as a result of a double lung transplant over a year ago. She had to wait for over two years for her operation with less than 30% breathing capacity. She came very close to the point at which her doctors said that her lungs would just not work any longer.

Please sign the back of your health card, drivers licence or sign up online at:
www.organ-donation-works.org
www.giftoflife.on.ca
www.transplant.bc.ca
www.organdonor.gov (In the US)

and let your family know your wishes.

Please give the gift of life to someone in need. Waiting and knowing you might not make it unless someone else takes action is a horrible feeling. Only 16% of eligible donors have registered to actually donate their organs. 16%! that’s it!

ACT RIGHT NOW!

Need more info? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_donation

It’s a matter of perception.

May 22

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts, Time For Change | No Comments

In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About 4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent – without exception – forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes:

The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After 1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

This experiment raised several questions:

In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

If so, do we stop to appreciate it?

Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . .

How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

pic19514 Its a matter of perception.

a different way of putting it…

Apr 29

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts | No Comments

I figured since I can’t play the guitar, I would let a fellow rider say it for me. Thanks Michael

To support me on my ride and donate Click Here

I need your help.

Apr 22

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts, Ride To Conquer Cancer | No Comments

If you know me well, you know of my passion for cycling. You know how often I bike and how important this has become in my life. But now it has become even more significant. Last year I discovered that riding my bike could not only be my way of staying healthy and happy, but now it can help fight against cancer in The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting BC Cancer Foundation. This is my opportunity to challenge myself and to begin to make a the difference in our world. Someone who leaves the world a better place. Someone who faces their fears and acts for others. That’s me. And this is your chance to support me!

I have officially signed on to ride from Vancouver to Seattle in June, and raise $6,000 to support the brilliant work that goes on right here at the BC Cancer Foundation.

All proceeds go to the Foundation, who uses the money for world-class research, as well as cancer treatment and education. And they use it as soon as they receive it, not when the bike ride happens. So, yes, this is a request for your financial support. A dollar for every kilometre that I’ll be riding would be absolutely awesome!

You can donate over a period of time too, if you aren’t able to give all at one time.

I thank you in advance for whatever you can give. Just click on the link below to go to my webpage and make an online donation.

Any amount will count. $1,000, $500, $100, $50, even $5 would help make a crucial difference in this fight against the worlds greatest killer.

Please Donate Now.

Click here button I need your help.

What would help even more is for my plea to go viral, you would help me even more by linking this page on your site, blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Click on any of the logos below to link this article. I need your help not only in donating but in getting the word out even further.

Don’t wait, I DO need your help today, I’ve got less than a month to go before the deadline of May 29, 2010 to reach my goal.

This ride is going to be an unforgettable adventure, and I hope you’ll be a part of it with me.

Sincerely… with thanks,

Chad

http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Vancouver2010?px=1864680&pg=personal&fr_id=1331


You’ve Got Two Choices

Mar 31

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts | No Comments

WHILE YOU READ THIS LET IT REALLY SINK IN…

…THEN CHOOSE .

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply,
‘If I were any better, I would be twins!’

He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, ‘I don’t get it!You can’t be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?’
He replied, ‘Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or…you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood.’
‘Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or…I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or…I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.’

‘Yeah, right, it’s not that easy,’ I protested.

‘Yes, it is,’ he said. ‘Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood.
The bottom line: It’s your choice how you live your life.’
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I  saw him about six months after the accident.

When I asked him how he was, he replied, ‘If I were any better, I’d be twins…Wanna see my scars?’

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

‘The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,’ he replied. ‘Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or…I could choose to die. I chose to live.’

‘Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?’ I asked.

He continued, ‘…the paramedics were great.They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read ‘He’s a dead man’. I knew I needed to take action.’

‘What  did you do?’ I asked.

‘Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,’ said John. ‘She asked if I was allergic to anything. ‘Yes, I replied.’ The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, ‘Gravity.’

Over their laughter, I told them, ‘I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.’

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude…I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
You  have two choices now:

1.  Pass this on to EVERYONE you know and love.

2. Do nothing.

You  know the choice I made.

The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes

Feb 10

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts, Time For Change | No Comments

This was another “hint” that I had that led me to the realization of my new project. It is a perfect example of the kind of affect youth can have if properly fostered.

My only question is why was the world silenced? Why was it not a call to action!

It’s time to stand up, be heard, and shine our light….

Feb 4

Posted by Chad in Thoughts & Observations, Time For Change | No Comments

When I was fourteen years old I spent a considerable amount of time contemplating all of those immense questions that philosophers have debated for thousands of years.

What is the point of life?

Why are we here?

Who am I?

What do I want?

What makes it all worth it?

Where are we going?

Now some of you who know me are not very surprised, but those are some heavy thoughts for a 14 year old yes?

The frightening thing is, I answered those questions with a knowingness and a conviction that gives me shivers even to this day when I remember it.

The sad thing is, I have been ignoring these answers for many years because they were either too grandiose to come true or to simple so I thought they could not have been right.

While at a workshop called Your Sacred Gifts this past weekend I discovered something inside myself. Something remnant of those contemplations many years ago. I found again the answers and the knowingness to those questions and the conviction to LIVE them. I found a purpose to my life. A purpose that will set me down a path that is bigger than anything I have done before. A purpose that will help me achieve one of my biggest dreams.

“To fundamentally change the way we as humans live our lives so that we can live a more positive, engaged and enlightened life. A life of purpose, contribution, and love for our human sisters and brothers.”

I believe I have come up with a way to make this dream a reality. I will share it with you soon, but first I want to share with you a few of the “hints” that I have been getting over the past few years as to what that purpose might look like. Unfortunately I was not open enough to see those hints when I first saw them.

Now I am.

This video is one of those hints.

This is the beginning of something….

Feb 1

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts, Time For Change | 3 Comments

I have a new project that I am creating which I will share more about when the time is right. However I would like to share one of my inspirations for creating this project. After you’ve watched this, please comment. I would very much like to know your thoughts.

‘The Lost Generation’ was created by Jonathan Reed (a twenty-something film studies major at Georgia State University). It won second place in the AARP U@50 video competition last year – in which filmmakers under 30 were to describe their life at 50 (the age when you’re eligable for membership in AARP).

2009 in Review

Jan 1

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts | No Comments

Hello All,
I hope the Christmas season left you with tons of fantastic memories that made you smile, brought warmth to your heart, or made you laugh allot. My Christmas left me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. So as I usually do between Christmas and NYE, I want to take a couple of minutes and look back at the year of 2009… express my gratitude, reflect on just how great my life is, and take stock of the goals I have achieved. Lets go back to:

December 15th of 2008 saw the birth of “the twins” my new niece Katelyn and nephew Carter. Both have blossomed into adorable little kids, and although I am so grateful for them I do feel a bit empathetic for Julie & Dan. They have their hands very full.

During New Years Jocelyn was off in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon with 8 Aussie girl friends so I ended up working, however at 2:30my friends Jay, Johan and I decided to do a road trip the next day so we headed home, got a couple of hours sleep and drove to Revelstoke, BC. for a couple of days of skiing. While there, we met up with my old friend Ron Glave, carved some turns and had the perfect start to the new year.

A week or so later I got a call asking me if I’d head to Vancouver to help run the World Cup Ski Cross, Boarder Cross, and Half Pipe “test events” for the Olympics at Cypress Mountain. Of course I said YES, so I spent almost three weeks in January on Cypress Mountain, helping to run those events. Check out this bit on Shawn White in the Half Pipe (http://tinyurl.com/ykvo5lk), and some footage of the Ski Cross race (http://vimeo.com/3281971).

In March I helped market, organize and run the 2and annual Ski Cross National Championships. (http://www.ski-cross.ca/2009-National-Championships). This is always a fun event as it is a small crew doing a big job and I love working with Andrew, Jocelyn and the rest of the crew at Canada Ski Cross.

In May Joce & I attended The Illumination Intensive. It is a weekend retreat held by a company called The Warrior Sage (http://www.warriorsage.com/ii/learn_more.html) that is designed to help you to peel away the images, terms and labels we give our selves and to get in touch with who you really are…. among other things. It was one of the most profound and life changing opportunities I have ever undergone. I would suggest that everyone do this at least once in their lives. I am going back again this year.

In June I participated in The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the Alberta Cancer Foundation. This was a two day 100km/day cycling ride south of Calgary. Through many peoples generosity, I managed to come very close to my goal of raising $5,000, so it was a great success. Between all of the Calgary participants we managed to raise $6.9 Million dollars (http://ab09.conquercancer.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=ab09_homepage). An amazing event!

In July my Mom finally had a successful double lung transplant after nearly 2 years on a waiting list. I made the decision to head back to Ontario to be here for her after her surgery and so I spent much of July in the hospital with her. A HUGE heartfelt THANK YOU to all of the doctors and nurses at Toronto General Hospital. Wow, what a miraculous procedure, and a massive team effort this entails.

In August I came back to Calgary and help run a couple of events one of which included a Triathlon I participated in last season, The Lake Chaparral triathlon with Multisports Canada (http://tinyurl.com/yb6avt2). I really love doing these types of events and around about the same time I decided to see if I could find enough of them to make it a full time job.

In August and September I also worked one of the biggest event contracts of my life with The World Skills competition in Calgary as one of the five Venue Coordinators. This is an international event put on every two years, and is similar in style to the Olympics but focused on the trades and technology that brought 51+ countries to Canada. We started six weeks prior to the actual competition and had only one and a half weeks to get up to speed prior to moving onto Stampede Park. During the competition I was responsible for managing 13 skill areas that covered approximately 150,000 sq/ft of space. However one of our Venue Coordinators got sick and had to leave shortly into the competition and Charlene, Dan, Cody & I had to jump in and get er done. It was really amazing to be such an integral part of such a large international event. Really pushed me to use everything I had and learn allot more. I am hoping I’ll be able to get involved with the next event in London in 2011. Check it out www.worldskills.org

Just before the event happened I had my car broken into and most of my stuff that I really value was stolen. My computer, hard drives, bike gear, workout clothes, new suit, camera, iPod, etc… I am just now finishing the whole reimbursement process from the insurance agency. I am really not a big fan of the insurance industry.

In early October I had a number of direct experiences that led me to reevaluate every aspect of my life. Needless to say I was not happy with everything I was finding. I am not depressed or anything like that, in fact it has been extremely positive process. I am seeing this more like the universe giving me one swift kick in the ass after another. As a result of all of this though I have begun to make some changes in my life. I have also begun to create some space so that I can refocus in on: who I really am, my relationships, how I am with money, what direction my life is going, what kind of impact or worth my life has had, but most of all HOW I live… day to day.

In and amongst many of these “experiences” and allot of real life stuff that has been going at this time, Jocelyn & I decided to go our separate ways after almost four years. We are trying to remain close friends and I think we are almost there, which is good because she is still one of the most amazing women I have ever met.

In November I helped out my old bosses Kourosh and Greg at one of the most remarkable multi speaker events I have ever been apart of, Engage Today 2009. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dr. Stephen R. Covey, F.W. deKlerk, Les Brown, Sean Stephenson, Greg Habstritt, Vishen Lakhiani, Carol Cone, Janet Attwood, Garrett Gunderson, Lynne Twist, Eben Pagan…. I really can’t do it any justice, just go check it out. http://www.engagetoday2009.com/engageblog/

In November when my Mom was released from the hospital I decided to move back to Ontario for the holidays to assist her with the transition back to real life with her new lungs. Since I came back she has been getting much stronger, and the setbacks are far fewer than the steps forward. She still has a long recovery process but I am confident that she is on the right track and that being here has helped.

Christmas this year was really heart warming for me, not only because of being here with Mom but that I got a chance to spend some time with my brother Dan, my sister Christie, and my nieces and nephew Avery, Jayde, Kateyln and Carter. Just to see the look on their faces when seeing all of the presents and fun stuff to play with was well worth the trouble to get here and the time off work.

Looking forward into 2010 I am very excited. My decision to run events full time is coming along and in January, I will be heading up to Blue Mountain to help run the first eastern World Cup Ski Cross. (http://www.bluemountain.ca/rockstar_ski_cross_grand_prix.htm)

In addition to that in February, I will be heading off to Vancouver to the biggest outdoor show on earth. No not the Stampede, but the 2010 Vancouver Olympic winter games. I have been asked to take on a couple of key roles at Cypress Mountain for the freestyle events during the games. I am going to be the Chief of Start for the Ski Cross event and Assistant Chief of Start for the Boarder Cross and Parallel Giant Slalom events. The crew of people who are working on these events are top notch and we all get along famously. I had no idea that they were going to give me such huge positions, but needless to say I am very excited can’t wait till February.

So that wraps up my recap of 2009. All in all it was a fantastic year, I achieved many goals, even surpassed some, but sacrificed much as well. 2010, will bring much change for me, it will be a year to finally become financially free, to have allot more fun, to begin traveling again, and a year to get engaged…. but that I’ll save for another post.

Thanks for reading,

Chad

For those of you on FaceBook, here is my year in review via the images I have taken.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=362660&id=775540088&l=4957ad660b

Tags: ,

Taking Out the Trash

Nov 27

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts, Thoughts & Observations | No Comments

Here is an excerpt from a daily email that I get from Garrett Gunderson’s Power Hour program.  It was something that came up in my life very recently, so I thought it was too good not to pass on.

Do you or someone you’re close to have a habit of “talking trash” about other friends and family members? Whether griping about how annoying Uncle Marvin is or remarking on what a hypocrite your sister Susan is, some people can’t seem to help but constantly focus on the flaws of others. It may seem like harmless venting, but it usually only has a negative effect on everyone– the one talking, the one listening, and the one being talked about. There’s nothing uplifting about criticizing and judging others.

It’s true that sometimes negative behaviors need to be discussed and addressed with the appropriate parties. If you have a genuine concern about someone that could affect the well being or safety of others, then obviously that should not be ignored. However, ideally the conversation can be held directly with the individual you are concerned about, or with good intent with others who may be involved or affected by the behavior. The simple way to determine whether or not you should be speaking about someone else’s issues or behaviors in the first place is to ask yourself the following:

  • Am I talking about this person out of genuine love and concern for all involved, or do I have other motives?
  • Is talking about this person going to resolve or help the situation at all, or am I just reinforcing my negative views?
  • Is this something I could address with him/her personally, instead of spreading the information around?

Is there any “trash” that you would be better off removing from your own talk? Who, if anyone, do you regularly say negative things about? Is there anyone you speak with who regularly “trashes” others? What are some positive ways you could redirect negative conversations without being offensive or hurtful?

Keep in mind that the person “trash talking” may not even be aware of how negative he/she is being, so rather than reprimanding him/her for being negative, it’s usually more effective to simply acknowledge that you understand what they’re saying (without necessarily agreeing) and then change the topic to something more uplifting. It’s amazing how much better it feels to be a person who focuses more on the good in others, rather than focusing on their faults. If you’re already that kind of person, then give yourself a little pat on the back for being so wonderful. On the other hand, if you’ve got some room for improvement in this area, then today is a good day to start.

“Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”
~Albert Einstein

If you want to learn more about the Producer Power Hour or Garrett Gunderson check out these websites.

http://www.producerpowerhour.com/

http://garrettbgunderson.com/

Tags: , , ,

Ever hear of the little engine that could?

Nov 15

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts, Thoughts & Observations | No Comments

Well Sean Stephenson put’s that little engine to shame and now he’s got a new television show premiering Sunday that needs our support.  It’s called “3 Foot Giant” staring Sean Stephenson.  If you haven’t yet heard of Sean, he’s a living example of the limitless possibilities of the human spirit.  Sean’s 3ft tall, has broken 200 bones, and was not expected to live… but for those who know him, living (and loving) is what he does best.

Last month I had the pleasure of seeing Sean at the Engage Today conference in Calgary (where he stole the show even with speakers like Sir Richard Branson & The Dalai Lama.)

His story will not only touch you, but inspire all of us to overcome our own challenges and enjoy the life we deserve.

You HAVE to see it to believe it.. he’s an incredible guy.  He needs 300,000 people to watch this pilot for the show to get picked up as a full series.. PLEASE.. watch the Biography Channel THIS Sunday, 7pm/11pm PST, 10pm EST.

Please tune in and support Sean as we try and get his show to be picked up by the BIO network.

Thanks for listening,

Chad

Tags: , , , , ,

A heartfelt thank you to all who gave their lives for our freedom.

Nov 11

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts, Thoughts & Observations | 1 Comment

poppy icon transp A heartfelt thank you to all who gave their lives for our freedom.On this day of remembrance I am humbled by the thought that so many human beings have sacrificed their lives in the not so distant past so that I can enjoy the freedom and spectacular kind of life that I do. To every woman and man that gave their lives in defence of freedom and this country I call home,

Thank you.

Looking forward, I have a different hope for the future. So as we come together today to remember all those who have fought and died for our freedom, I come bringing prayer those of every nation on earth who have suffered, or are on this day still suffering because of another’s decision to wage war.

For everyone who has died, been wounded or disabled or who have been affected by the devastation of war… I hope you find peace.

For all who are bereaved… I hope you find comfort;

For those who are faced with mental, emotional or spiritual suffering because of the things they have endured… I pray you’ll find wholeness.

For all who care for the sick and work for peace… I wish you all the power of the universe;

and for all who lead our world in this new millennium… I pray you guide your actions and decisions by wisdom and compassion.

During our time of memorial this day, may we be stirred in our sentiments and sympathies. May our passion for freedom be rekindled. May we seek peaceful resolutions to strife around the world. May we accept our differences. May we learn to relinquish our fear, vanity, pride, greed and stubbornness so that we may never again inflict the pain of war on another human being.

This is a beautiful poem that was read at the memorial service at Toronto General Hospital this morning. Thank you Derek S.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left to grow old;

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Lest we ever forget.

Namaste,

Chad

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Happy Birthday Julie

Nov 11

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts | No Comments

A very happy and warm birthday to my first sister in law.

Mom’s Progress

Nov 10

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts | No Comments

Hello all,
Just a quick note to bring you up to speed on my Mom’s progress. Four weeks ago my Mom was released from the rehab hospital after her lung transplant in June. So that is very good news! Just before that I decided to come back to Ontario for a couple of weeks to assist her with the transition back to real life with her new lungs. I spent two weeks here in Toronto at my grandparents place with Mom as an intermediary step between the hospital and home in Kitchener.

Last week I went to Vancouver for the U2 concert and to visit some dear friends. After that a quick stop off in Calgary to store my stuff and then came back to Kitchener to take care of Mom and put my nose to the preverbal grindstone here in Ontario till after Christmas. After that, the Olympics, and then… who knows what? It should be interesting to see what I come up with over the next couple of months. Now we are both at home in Kitchener going back and forth to Mom’s physio and post transplant appointments and getting accustomed to “real life”.
Thank you to everyone for all of your support and love.

Chad

Thank You Gwyneth!

Nov 9

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts, Thoughts & Observations | No Comments

Yes I do mean Gwyneth Paltrow. What reason would I have to thank such an auspicious and popular woman?

I am thankful for her love and support of her partner Chris Martin. Without her support, love, and acceptance of Chris’s situation, role, and his gift. We would not have had the pleasure of attending the Cold Play concert very recently at Calgary’ Pengrowth Saddledome. A concert that could easily be one of the most mind blowing live musical events of my life. Not to mention the countless hours of enjoyment from all of their albums.

So Thank You to Gwyneth for being ok; with Chris’s adoring fans, for being strong enough in your self to know it does not matter how many women(or men) want him, for spending so much time apart, and for loving him for the gifts he shares with the rest of the world.

So to Gwyneth and all the women in the world who love, support and encourage your partners to give thier gifts in spite of how hard that might be, you have my eternal gratitude.

Thanks for listening,

Chad

The Human Experience

Jul 30

Posted by Chad in Thoughts & Observations | 3 Comments

For some time now I have been contemplating many deep questions and topics. One of the grandest ofthem is how an individual (such as myself) views ones self in relation to others and the world around us. Moreover how can one person create a positive and lasting impact on the world around us. To this end, I read something today that I thought was worth sharing. Read, contemplate it and enjoy.

“A human being is a part of the whole, called by us “The Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.*

-Albert Einstein

A Direct Experience

Jul 24

Posted by Chad in Thoughts & Observations | No Comments

A direct experience. I had another one this morning. What is it? Well I can’t really put it into words. I can however tell you the circumstances leading up to it and my thoughts afterward.

It happened this morning while riding the subway in Toronto. But it was not the situation or the place but the fact that my computer had no battery left, & at that moment I was “open” & “present” enough to get it.

You see in an effort to get my own business going I have been working every spare moment of my life! Until this morning.

Instead, I pulled out a book that my girlfriend had given me a couple of weeks ago. She told me to read it because the woman in it is very much like her & perfectly describes where she is at in life. However, that alone was not what triggered the direct experience either.

I think was a the trumpet solo on my iphone actually. That combined with the notion that “I want a spiritual teacher” from the book(which is something I have been looking for as well, for some time now) that made me realize “IT’S ME! HOLY SHIT, IT’S ME!”

What you ask? Everything! All the good that has come in my life, the responsibility on me to create the amazing relationship I want, my financial status, everything I want in life is up to me to make it happen. I have known this for most of my life but when you REALLY KNOW, and take ownership of it like I dis this morning, it almost knocks you to the ground.

Sounds like allot of mumbo jumbo, I know. Skippy would say that “I have been drinking purple Kool-aid again”. But that is the amazing profound experience of having a direct experience. It is a moment of clarity that only the one who is having it can truly get it, and yet more ofter than not, I want to share it with everyone.

I believe that the more of these each of us have, the better our world will be. Which is why despite the fact that I know I am gonna catch flack for saying it, forget the fact that I have never been comfortable sharing my thoughts… I am .

Because I know how much of a change it has made in my life and that it may do the same for you.

Come learn how to practice this technique so that all it takes is a subway ride, or a trumpet solo to feel like you are LIVING life.

These links will take you to those that have showed me this work. Go on have a look. Make some time if you are busy. It may just lead to one the most profound moments of your life.

Enlightenment Intensive

Illmination Intensive

Thanks for listening,

Chad

Only thing left to do is pedal.

Jun 27

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts | No Comments

THANK YOU!

From the bottom of my heart… THANK YOU!

With your help I reached 80% my goal of raising $5,000 in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

This money is going directly towards the fight to end this disease.

If you have a moment watch this video that was shot at last weekends ride in BC. It is a truly moving piece.

Again, thank you! Your support it means the world to me.

I’ll be thinking of each of your as I ride these next two days.

If you would like to follow along, you can do so by either Facebook or Twitter (http://twitter.com/chadweir). I will post something on my blog at some point next week to let you know how it all went (www.chadweir.com).

Without your generosity, none of this would be possible.

Thank you.

Wish me luck cause the only thing left to do is ride.

Sincerely,

Chad

This is why we ride.

Jun 26

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts, Ride To Conquer Cancer | No Comments

Please take a moment and watch this video that was shot last weekend at the BC Ride. It was truly moving. This IS why we ride.

Chad

R.I.P. Finn, Pam, and all those who have died because of this disease.

Livestrong Logan, Greg, Brett…

To the rest of us… Ride On!

A Tribute to the 2009 Ride To Conquer Cancer

If you have a moment watch this video that was shot at last weekends ride in BC. It is a truly moving piece.

Home Stretch… to the beginning

Jun 26

Posted by Chad in Ride To Conquer Cancer | No Comments

Do you remember when I first posted that I’d committed to raising $5,000 and riding over 200 kilometres for The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the Alberta Cancer Foundation? Well the ride is less than 24 hours away and I am actually getting pretty nervous. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t 100% sure I could get even this far. But now with one day to go before the event I am so very close! I have almost reached my goal, in fact in the last 24 hours I have had enough support to get to 74% ($3705) of the $5,000 I committed to raising.

I still need your help! We are so unbelievably close.

It does not matter how much. $100, $50, $25 or even $10? What ever it is that you can afford. If you think that you won’t bother because you can afford $100 and any less wold not make a difference. That is SO not true, I DON”T CARE! I’ll take $5. Every little bit counts! Most of what we have raised thus far has come from smaller donations and I am SO thankful for every one of them.

Please click on this link below and donate now. There is not much time left!

http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/chadweir

This cause is so important to me, and I really want to be a part of the cure. Cancer has touched too many families and taken too many lives already. We need to take action against this disease, and I am committed to making a difference.

To all of you, who have already supported me, THANK YOU! I appreciate everyone’s generosity so much.

To those of you who are planning to support me, please do it now. I begin riding tomorrow morning (Saturday) at 8am!

I’d also like to ask another favour of all of you. Please forward my journey and request for support to everyone you know. Family, friends and colleagues.

If you are on Twitter and would like you can follow my account of the ride you can at (http://twitter.com/chadweir). I will try and post as much as possible throughout the weekend.

You can check out the events official tweets at (http://twitter.com/RideToConquer).

Thank you everyone for supporting me and cheering me on!

Thank you,

Chad Weir

Cycling to Conquer Cancer- Two Days to Go!

Jun 25

Posted by Chad in Ride To Conquer Cancer | No Comments

header static ab Cycling to Conquer Cancer Two Days to Go!

Hi All,

When you truly love something, it makes it a whole lot easier to practice. But I have to admit that even though I am passionate about cycling, training for an over 200 kilometre ride is a tough call. But I am determined to see this through. I really want to be a part of putting an end to cancer, and I believe that my commitment to The Ride to Conquer Cancer will make a difference.

There is no way I can do it alone. I really do need your support. Please, if you’re thinking of making a donation, make it now. Go to:

www.conquercancer.ca/goto/chadweir

The money raised is used by the Alberta Cancer Foundation as soon as it’s received. It helps provide state-of-the-art care and research for those affected by cancer. Think about it, over 2.4% of men and 2.7% of women in Canada will have to fight cancer at one point in their life. It’s huge and we need to do something about it.

I’m not worried about the ride; I know I will make it. I’ll admit though, I’m a little worried about the fundraising. I still have $1,800 to raise and less than 48 hours till it kicks off. I want to reach my goal before Saturday, I have never failed at a goal that I have committed to like this.

I want to thank everyone who has already supported me. I can’t believe how generous so many of you have been.

I still need support. Even if you cannot afford a big donation, contribute and bit and then you can even support me by sending this email on to all of your friends, family and colleagues.

Thanks everyone, for your well wishes, your encouragement and your support. I know I can do this, and I know it’s because of your help!

I appreciate all of your help!

Thank you … sincerely,

Chad Weir

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Alberta2009?px=1864680&pg=personal&fr_id=1282&fl=en_US&et=x7pb64PSl641xNK9-VVrfw..&s_tafId=128766

One Week To Go

Jun 20

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts | No Comments

header static ab One Week To Go

As many of you already know in just a few short days from now I will be participating in a major 2-day cycling event called The Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

In just a week from today I will be cycling over 200 kilometers along the Majestic Canadian Rockies, with thousands of other Riders. All of the proceeds from this event will go to the Alberta Cancer Foundation which is one of the top 5 cancer research hospitals in the world that is devoted to cancer research and care. The work they’re doing is really cutting-edge and I am proud to have them here in Canada.

I really need your help. I have agreed to raise at least $2,500, but I’ve set my personal goal to $5,000 (Go big or go home right!). Right now I have raised $2,000 towards that $5,000 and for those of you who know me, know that this is not good enough.

So here’s where you come in, because I need your help right now to get to my goal. I have less than a week to reach my goal. Could you please consider making a donation of $100, $50, $25 or even $10? What ever it is that you can afford. Hell I’ll take $1,000 if you can afford it! What ever you can do I would appreciate!

Use this link: http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/chadweir

Go visit my fundraising page, click on the green button that says “Sponsor Chad Weir” and take the couple of minutes to help me support those people who really need it.

Please keep in mind the time (and pain) commitment I’m making to end this heartbreaking disease and the personal efforts I’ll have to make to accomplish this. When I say “heartbreaking,” here’s what I mean: according to the National Cancer Institute of Canada, over 153,100 new cases of cancer and 70,400 deaths from cancer were estimated to occur in 2006. Men outnumber women for new cases by 5% and mortality by 11%.

That’s why I’m riding. To do something BIG about cancer. I hope that you’ll share this incredible adventure with me by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity!

Sincerely,

Chad Weir

http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/chadweir

My Attempt to Conquer… Myself

Apr 4

Posted by Chad in Ride To Conquer Cancer | No Comments

IMG_0844 small

I recently made a series of self discoveries. One of which was my lack of putting my self out there these past few years. Not like that! I meant really committing to doing something for the betterment of our world, for others. The first step was swallowing my pride and realizing that I may just have something that others may want to hear (and thus the blog), secondly is committing to doing some good. So here I am spreading what I know to be the truth and have agreed to subjecting myself to some serious time commitment and to a bit of pain. How you ask?

Well on June 27th & 28th 2009 I will be taking part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the Alberta Cancer Foundation. This is a two day 100km/day cycling journey along the majestic Canadian Rockies. I am participating in this event to help raise funds in support of the local initiative to fight cancer.
It will be a challenge in a number of ways, but with my bike, my helmet, and your generosity, a real impact will be made!

Please assist me by contributing any amount you can afford towards my goal of raising $5,000 by May 30th.

The funds raised in The Ride to Conquer Cancer will support breakthrough research, exemplary teaching, and compassionate care at the Alberta Cancer Foundation, a world wide leader in cancer research and treatment.

I cannot achieve my goal without YOUR support. So please give what ever you can.

Thank you in advance for your support.

If you can donate please do so by following this link.

http://www.conquercancer.ca/goto/chadweir

Thank you,

Chad

Hello world!

Apr 1

Posted by Chad in Regular Posts | No Comments

EarthBlueMarbleWestTerrablank 300x300 Hello world!For a long time now I have struggled with the notion of having my own blog. Actually I have questioned the validity of blogging in general.

“Who the hell wants to listen to someone blather on about them selves in meaningless rants. God those people are SO self indulgent!”

“It is just one more way for people to self indulge in them selves in some pathetic attempt at their 5 mins of fame or for getting attention from strangers that they can’t get from their family or friends.”

Then I thought that maybe it’s just a tool, a vehicle and that it’s not the Blog itself but the person writing it and their reason for doing so.

It’s not the medium, it’s the message (or even more so the sender).

Why hate the method or the tool that people use. Why not use this same tool for something more. Why not use this same tool for some greater purpose?

I don’t really know what that purpose might be just yet. But I figured that if I am ever to find it. I had better have a way to share it. Who knows, by keeping this blog it might actually help me find that purpose.

I hope at the very least it will provide me with the opportunity to clarify my thoughts, and maybe even improve my writing and my ability to communicate. A journal of sorts since I can’t seem to find my paper journal I started years ago.

Not only that but in a way I am writing only to myself in a kind of self introspective nature here.

I know that it has already done something pretty big for me.

It has help me get over my self and take back some of my self confidence.

I have a voice.

Why should it not be heard?

Who knows, what I have to say may just affect someone positively?

Thanks for reading.

Chad