Inspiring And Being Inspired
February 2, 2015 § 5 Comments
Photo credit: Lauren Nelson
Co-author Wendy and I started this blog more than five years ago to create content for a motivational/inspirational book(s). While we’re devoted to encouraging others, our thoughts are naturally shaped by events, people, situations, and the moving words of others.
I’ve reflected on some people who’ve inspired me in the past and even in recent days.
I was reminded of the first individual on Jan. 24 when alerted on Linkedin to Ian Nielsen-Jones’ birthday.
Ian was the president of the Ontario Lottery Corporation when I signed on in 1992.
The message he conveyed during new employee orientation sticks with me to this day and has been a strong influence on how I do my job.
Ian told new staff that if someone saw them in a store wearing a company jacket and had a lottery-related question, they should either be able to answer the enquiry or know how to direct the customer.
Now a senior competition expert at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Ian encouraged us to consider ourselves as ambassadors. I have adapted that thinking to every job since, particularly when dealing with the public.
Inspiring Global Leaders
At the City of Grande Prairie, I strive to engage residents in recognizing their voices count.
Who better than Nelson Mandela to illustrate how an individual can make a difference? In December, we marked a year since the death of the former South African president.
Mandela could have easily given up after 27 years in prison. Instead, he would see to the end of apartheid.
He once stated, “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
Teachers Guiding The Way
I have a soft spot for teachers, having worked in the education sector for many years.
The work of two friends inspired me to tell their stories.
Natalie Richer, a Grade 5 teacher in Ottawa, is a leader in the Be the Game leadership and mentorship program. It’s an initiative to end the cycle of bullying while building strong character in elementary and secondary students.
“I see the effects of bullying and, more particularly, cyber-bullying in my class every single day,” she says.
“In January 2013, I was looking for a solution when CTV Morning Live Ottawa tweeted they would have Joe Drexler on their show to talk about his program. I quickly searched more about it to see if it was something I could implement in my classroom.”
The program is geared towards acts of kindness. By shifting the mindset of students towards the positive, bullying can be decreased.
Always an optimist, Natalie wrote Drexler for details, including whether the program was available in French.
“While it wasn’t, yet, we started to exchange emails about my views on his program, as a teacher. I learned more and tried a version of the program by myself in the classroom. The 21 Day Challenge is simple, yet effective.
“I got more and more involved and offered my input and ideas. The program evolved, the partners are growing and we are touching more and more students. I had the chance to see Joe in action with different age groups and while the messaging differs, appropriately, he manages to impact so many students with his inspirational presentation.
“Especially with high school students, he has an extremely touching story of a young girl that took her life after months of cyber-bullying. It touches them in ways we never thought possible and pushes them to make real, long-lasting change. We believe that talking about the real issues and effects is what makes this program worthwhile.
“The kids want to be better and sometimes don’t realize how powerful their words are. Because they’re so good at manipulating electronic devices, doesn’t mean they know the possible effects of spreading online hate. They want to talk about it and to learn more. I truly believe that our programs make a difference and that every school should get it. With the help of today’s youth, I truly believe that, together, we can create change and make a difference!
Julianna Oligny is a teacher to be. She’s also destined to be a great educator.
“What got me into special education was my work at the summer camp where I helped autistic and children with Down syndrome. I simply fell in love with them and their joy of life, so I can say that my biggest inspiration is them,” she says.
“I love to make people happy and I try my best to help anyone who needs it. Pay it forward is my way of thinking.”
Julianna actually began studying to be a graphic designer but after the first summer camp, she knew what her future was meant to be.
“I finished my studies in that domain and I knew that that’s not what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to do something better, to help the world.
She’s now in her third year of her bachelor in Special Education at the University of Montreal.
“My goals are to be someone that kids look up to, to inspire them to never give up no matter how hard it can be. I want to be that person who won’t give up on them like so many did before.”
Promoting Mental Health
#BellLetsTalk was an overwhelming success for raising funds to address mental health needs and creating meaningful conversations. It encouraged people to reach out to those requiring help and for those in need to get assistance.
I made many new connections through promoting the campaign in late January, including Natasha Bustos, a student, who lives in Ontario. I was impressed with her as a #BellLetsTalk warrior on twitter.
“I have been very passionate about the importance of mental health for as long as I can remember,” she says. “I’ve always cared about making sure that my friends and family are doing well, and helping them in any way that I could if they weren’t.”
Natasha found dealing with her own personal strife over the past year has given her a greater understanding of mental health issues.
“What makes me so passionate about mental health though, is that it doesn’t receive as much attention as physical health. I truly believe that our mental health is just as important as our physical health which is why I am trying to bring awareness to it and want to help people in any way that I can.”
The Muse and Views 
I enjoy your blog, especially the part about the #BellLetsTalk association, mental health and awareness has had a huge impact on me, and I’m proud to say I want to help make a change. Great work!
Being the mother of the young girl who’s story is shared through Be The Game I love that you have written about Be The Game and all they do! Their presentations impact our youth and they strive to be better and kinder I dividuals because of Joe, Natalie and the rest of the team. Well done and thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reminding me of Nelson Mandela, who gave up everything in his fight for what he believed in. It is all too easy to take for granted what we have.
I don’t know if there are just more issues facing many of today’s youth or if we’ve simply gotten better at providing resources to recognize and address them… perhaps a bit of both. But there are so many everyday people out there doing extra-ordinary things. Thank you for highlighting a few of them David!
Thinking of yourself as an ambassador ever since your ‘Ontario Lottery Corporation’ role is a perfect way to fit/mold into any position in work or general life, and is equally important whether the role is new, or one of longevity.
Nelson Mandela is a fine example of one who is inspirational to so many; as you exclaimed, he could have thrown in the towel any time during his 27 years of incarceration, but he made it through to see the end of a system of institutionalised racial segregation that was discriminatory. He believed people should never settle for a life that is lesser than the one they are capable of. In other words, don’t sell yourself short.
Your background in the education field has been mentioned in several of your blogs. It’s no doubt that bullying would come to your mind then, since this is something students bear witness to on a daily occasion and can loom large in their minds.
You spoke of Natalie Richer, a Grade 5 teacher in Ottawa, who implemented her own version of ‘The 21 Day Challenge.’ She made a strong point that, “with the help of today’s youth, we can create change and make a difference.” In this case, she is discovering inspiration, while providing inspiration to others.
Julianna Oligny is another top educator that you spoke of in your blog. She worked with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as those who have Down Syndrome. She fell in love with their joy in life and found them to be exceptionally inspiring. So much so, she wants to ‘pay it forward.’ She changed her studies to become the person she wanted to be – she wanted to do something better, to help the world. She knew she was one who wouldn’t give up on them, like others in the past did.
I have long been an advocate of #BellLetsTalk, understanding first hand from the experience of having relatives who suffer with depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders, the difficulties and seemingly unsurmountable obstacles which can ensue. Bell, along with Howie Mandel, spokesperson for this cause, are prime examples of a large corporation and respectively, an individual, who can effectively bring about change that is needed to stifle the stigma on mental health.
Your blog title is perfect for the content! Inspiring and Being Inspired are two different elements of an emotion filled with dreams that merge together in a cohesive tandem.
Reflecting on inspiration leads me to think of this great song by Bon Jovi – “It’s my life.”
“I ain’t gonna be just a face in the crowd
You’re gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud
It’s my life
It’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive.”
Those who are inspired, become inspiring.