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!
Archive for category Regular Posts
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
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
Taking Out the Trash
Nov 27
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/
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
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
Happy Birthday Julie
Nov 11
A very happy and warm birthday to my first sister in law.
Mom’s Progress
Nov 10
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
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
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