Week One

Week One did not go as well as I would have liked. We are in the midst of snowstorms here, and so I was not able to get to the training hall on Friday or Saturday. My attendance at classes on both these days has been an issue that I hope to correct. I have made it one of my requirements in UBBT8 to attend 80% of this year's black belt and I Ho Chuan classes on Friday nights, and Open training sessions on Saturdays. I will have to wait until next week to get started.

Another of my UBBT8 requirements is to read 6 books on Acts of Kindness. This week I finished reading "Cool To Be Kind: Random Acts And How To Commit Them", by Val Litwin, Brad Stokes, Erik Hanson, and Chris Bratseth. I highly reccommend this book. Its about 4 young Canadians (the authors), who packed a motorhome in Victoria and embarked on a three-month non-profit marathon in 2002 which was called The Extreem Kindness Tour. Their mission was to commit as many random acts of kindness in as many Canadian communities as possible. Their dream was to begin connecting the world through kindness. When I finished the book, I was amazed and inspired. Amazed at the geniune depth of commitment, awareness, and leadership these 20ish young men displayed. Amazed at their excellent writing. And inspired by the many different things they did in each of the communities they visited and the impact their acts had on the receivers as well as the givers.

I have recently changed careers and am now in a position to make a difference in the community through my job. The team I work need my help in developing a 'volunteerism' component which will be delivered as a program to junior high students in an alternative classroom setting. My suggestion that 'Acts of Kindness' be the theme has been enthusiastically recieved. I am brimming with ideas after reading reading 'Cool To Be Kind'. What a great way to start the year.

If you want to have fun for an hour watch television. If you want to have fun for a day go to an amusement part. If you want to have fun for a lifetime - help others. From 'Cool To Be Kind;

Claire Finnamore, Student Member
Silent River Kung Fu