Hello neighbours! I grew up just outside the small town of Arthur, Ontario and when I was about 10 years old, I had to quit hockey because both my parents were working the night shift. My team Captains family, who owned a local business, invited me to spend nights with them after school the days we had hockey. I spent 2-4 nights a week with this family, sometimes entire weekends, for 2 years. During my time with the Rooney family, I went from an all D student to an all B student and from worst player on the team top 6 scorers. Recently I went to visit the family whom I havent seen in 20 years. I told them how grateful I was for what they did for me and how I credit them for all the work I did in the world as a Youth Worker assisiting homeless and mentally challenged. The Fathers reply back to me was simple, yet incredibly powerful and taught me another wonderful lesson in life - so casually he said, "We were just doing what was right." They werent trying to 'save' a troubled kid, they never knew much about me...they were just helping me get to the rink and let me play hockey with all the other boys. They were like Angels who came into my life and taught me beauty of Compassion.
Reading books on Buddhism/Spirituality, Meditating and going to Yoga has also had a tremendous impact on my life. They taught me things I never even considered before, such as integrity, honesty, gratitude, awareness, trust, kindness and Karma. When I finally understood all of this, life began to make more sense. I do what I do each day because I believe its our responsibility and purpose in life to give back and "do the right thing," - just like what the Rooney family did for me.
Please dont be shy, introduce yourself and share with me any fun ideas you have on ways to give back and make Liberty Village a cooler and more caring place to live!
