pay it forward: People for Good - 12/30/11 05:03 AM
I can remember reading an article in Reader's Digest, probably in the 1970's, perhaps in the early 1980's and have never forgotten it. It was about a movement, probably starting in California (isn't that where most "movements" start ;-)
It challenged a generation, and me specifically, to Commit Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Beauty.
In among the general sea of negativity that constantly floods us and pervades our media, there are beacons of hope, a promise of a better world. They challenge us personally to prove that one person can make a difference.
Pay it forward is one such … (7 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it forward at the office - 09/13/11 04:34 PM
Was feeling good... Just finished the second day of the ABR course in Barrie, wrote the exam and was on my way home.  I called the office to answer some inquiries and Kim, our administrator answered.  She sounded tired when we talked, I told her that I would be coming down with an offer and a deposit check that needed to be in the bank "yesterday" ;-) She didn't react like she normally does, Kim definitely was not her fiesty self.  I asked her who else was in the office and told her I would do a Timmies run.  Caffeine and … (14 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it Forward in your own backyard! - 09/07/11 05:54 AM
Living just outside of town on a country road, for the second time in four years, it seems we have been put in position to adopt a cat. Two years ago, after ignoring turned to feeding turned to adopting a cat (which unfortunately died on the operating table during a spaying), it seems we are about to adopt another one. A fairly young male, seems to have adopted us of late, living well off the wildlife in the area.  A week ago, while in our backyard, the black and white cat approached us, purring up a storm.  Helen cannot resist a … (12 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it forward in the office - 09/02/11 01:21 AM
Holiday and Vacation times are precious to us all.  Those of us who are self-employed, and having to wear many hats, planned vacations are often compromised because of client expectations. A co-worker had planned to sneak off a few days early to visit family in South Western Ontario, but was considering delaying her travel plans by half a day in order to have her seller sign a price reduction and an extension. Without pause, I offered to do this for her.  She knows that I am studying for an exam and that I also value my family time, and did not … (9 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it forward at Wal-Mart - 08/27/11 09:07 AM
My wife, Helen, Alec and I went to Wal-Mart about 11:30 a.m. for some school supplies and assorted goods.  We decided to pick up a fresh baguette to go with some Pate that Helen had bought earlier in the week and have a nice brunch with some poached eggs. It is a beautiful "Blue Sky" warm summer day, and I have gotten over being stood up this morning. We were walking out to our car when I saw a older lady walking to her car in front of us with two full bags in each of her hands.  One bag broke … (12 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it forward when you are out for dinner! - 08/06/11 04:17 AM
Helen and I decided to have Sushi for lunch yesterday.  One of our favourite Sushi restaurants is Sushi Hama in Bolton, but we were going to be in the Barrie area, and in Barrie, our Sushi destination of choice is Akira Sushi on Mulcaster St.  During the day most of the parking in downtown Barrie is coin operated meters and we found a convenient space right in front of the restaurant. As I was looking for some coins, a elderly couple parked beside us.  Opportunity was knocking.  I deposited enough for two hours in my meter and then walked over and … (4 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it forward in our own "backyard" - 07/27/11 05:50 AM
We live on a rural road north of Tottenham Ontario.  There are probably twelve homes dotted along the mile and a half stretch between Tottenham Road and Townline.  People who make the choice to live in the country, do so for a variety of reasons, and one of them normally is to seek a sense of privacy rarely afforded in town. That said, we also tend to support our neighbours, much like everyone else who knows and likes their neigbours would do.  Our neighbour's lawn seemed to be longer than usual.  We, on the other hand, tend to let our lawn … (4 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it Forward at Red Lobster - 07/19/11 01:45 AM
Helen and I decided to have an adult night out, after the week we had, we felt we needed it. My wife's car (my car before I re-acquired my Real Estate License) was terminally ill, and we needed to do the humane thing and put it down... after 467,000 kilometres, my mechanic told us that the car needed repairs that would cost us more than the car was worth, and that there would be no guarantees on how long it might last.  After a week of searching, my wife chose a car, and we picked it up on the weekend.  We … (6 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it forward during a listing appointment... - 07/13/11 02:22 PM
I received a call from an area I work heavily and made a 4:00 pm appointment to list a home.  I was prompt and came prepared.  I shook hands with Erika and Bob, thanked them for calling me, and sat with Bob, Erika soon joined us. We started with some small talk and discussed the beautiful weather today.  I asked some probing questions about their purchase and their expectations.  They had underestimated the value of their home by almost 10%.  I asked them why they wanted to sell and where they wanted to go.  Even though I had not ever met … (6 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it forward on the road - 07/10/11 02:40 AM
Do you notice how much hotter the sun seems to be now?  I guess we are all paying for our collective sins of the past.  We have been warned about the thinning ozone layer since the 1960's, maybe even earlier, but many of us didn't bother.  I have never seen UV Indexes of 10 and 11 before in Southern Ontario, but this summer it is commonplace. The weather is bearable in the shade, but if you have to be out in the sun, tensions frazzle fast... Since I stopped traveling on the major highways on a daily basis and stopped having … (9 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it forward at the Gas Pumps!!! - 06/29/11 05:35 AM
OK, as many of you know, my Passat Station wagon car takes Diesel...  so with the good mileage (6.7 to 7.2 litres per 100 km in the summer) and decent range (from 950 km to 1050 km per tankful) I do not fill up that often, but today happened to be one of those occasions. Now I am not sure what the weather has been like where you live, but we have had sunny warm days earlier in the month, and lately, lots of rain.  This weather seems to be ideal for two things, the weeds in my gardens, and the … (8 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it forward to a senior in need... - 06/24/11 11:44 AM
I work a number of adult lifestyle communities and am often in the "neighbourhood".  Being a gregarious person by nature, I will often stop and talk to people I see.  Waiting to meet a couple from out of town interested in seeing my listings, I saw an older lady, in her front yard, that I have talked to often over the years.  Something about the way she was acting seemed off... She seemed to be fretting about something.  I wandered over and said hello and started to talk about nothing in particular.  As we talked, I definitely felt that something was … (7 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it Forward in Grocery Stores. - 06/18/11 04:35 AM
We tend to do the majority of our grocery shopping Friday evening or Saturday morning, and most of the time, it is my wife Helen, that will shop alone.  On occasion, I will join her, as I did this morning.  The germ for this idea came from stores my mother would frequent when I was young.  One of them, and I cannot remember the store anymore, had a counter and cork-board as you entered where people could pick up and/or leave extra coupons.  I guess the idea stuck with me... We will scour the advertisements and clip coupons in an effort … (6 comments)

pay it forward: Paying it forward on a scorching hot day =) - 06/08/11 01:05 PM
Today was a scorcher, the sun seems so hot now compared to when I was a child, probably evidence of the damage we have caused to the ozone layer =( On a day like today, it was important to hydrate, and normally I carry with me on my travels my trusty 44 oz Bubba Keg with two trays of ice and then topped up with water.
I usually take Alec to the playpark in Alliston or Beeton two or three times a week.  He has an opportunity to meet with friends he would have an opportunity to meet, and burn off … (13 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it Forward at the Barbershop! - 06/03/11 08:27 AM
There is a new discount Barbershop (if the term is not yet antiquated) in Alliston, Great Clips has opened their door in the Wal-Mart on the East End of town. They offered a grand-opening special of $4.99 haircuts (less than half price).  Now I have had enough of my hair, or rather, lack of it, and am tired of it blowing in the slightest breeze.  I do not put "product" in my hair, really, not even when I had some... I am waiting for a friend of mine (a hairdresser currently living in Calgary) to move in to town later this … (5 comments)

pay it forward: Pay it Forward at the Soccer field - 05/25/11 04:14 AM
Our local soccer house league started on Monday with a resounding "thud" as thunderstorms and heavy rain washed out the initial practice.  My son's Coach, Tracy, called an impromptu practice last night at a soccer field in Tottenham to meet and familiarize herself with her new team.  Those of us that could make it found the evening cool (seasonally COLD) and damp.  Alec and Iarrived at 6:45 pm, he was full of energy ready to start his third year.  As a seasoned parent, I come prepared, bringing water, lawn chairs, bug spray and an assorted pack of supplies.  The parents of … (4 comments)

pay it forward: Pay It Forward at Tim Horton's in Tottenham =) - 05/18/11 07:19 AM
Wednesday May 18th started out like most days in the last week, gray sky and raining... It was promising to be a busy day and I had to get started early.  I decided to stop at Tim Horton's in Tottenham and get breakfast at the drive-thru.  I wanted the Sausage Biscuit, but opted for the healthier Homestyle Oatmeal and milk (my first good choice of the day ;-) I drove up to the window to pay and asked what was the bill for the Pick up truck behind me, and was told $5.72.  I told the lady to add it to … (9 comments)

pay it forward: Pay It Forward - In My Community - 05/11/11 06:38 AM
I live in New Tecumseth, a rural community dotted with a few small towns in Simcoe County, Ontario. We are, what most people would consider to be, a  working class community.  There are many people struggling to make ends meet and a fair number of single parent families. Helen and I adopted our son, Alec, years ago.  He has so much.  As our only child and one of the few young children in my extended family, we, his parents, his grandparents, his aunts and uncles, cousins and our many friends have showered him with many toys and games.  There have been … (5 comments)

pay it forward: Pay It Forward - at the walk-in clinic - 05/04/11 06:13 AM

Most people like to think of themselves as unique as opposed to "typical"... I guess I am very typical of most people, in this respect. I hate going to the doctor, apparently, among men, I am not alone. I have been floored from most of the past week, coming down with something fast and furious last Wednesday.  I tend to the old fashioned remedies and avoid pharmaceuticals wherever and whenever possible. That said, my symptoms seems to have evolved in the last few days into something very different, with acute throat soreness and sharp earaches. Salt water gargles et al … (6 comments)

pay it forward: Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Beauty - 04/08/10 12:19 PM
The first time I heard of the phrase "Commit Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Beauty" was while reading an article in a Reader's Digest in the early 1980's.  As I recall, the movement was an "answer" to the many seemingly "random acts of violence" of the era.  There was a movie in 2000, "Pay It Forward", starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt that was based on this principle.  If you are ever in the mood for a "good" movie, dig this one up, heres a clip.
It is a thought that has stuck with me over the years, and brought … (7 comments)