Extreme Kindness

Erik's Journal

Date: Monday, November 23rd 2002.

Geography: Gander, Newfoundland.

Point form day: Up at 9:00 -had breakfast -gathered all the Gander Hotel employees in the Pluto room -went to the local supermarkets and helped out (we returned peoples buggies, gave them cookies and coffee, handed out hugs, squeegeed windows and helped with groceries) -we then proceeded door to door at Brown and Alcock streets with cookies and hot chocolate. When we arrived at each of the houses we serenaded them with Christmas Carols -moved to the old folks home and had tea and sung Christmas carols -had dinner -worked on the computer.

Highlight of the day: Connecting with a woman in the rest home. It was great to get to laugh and connect a woman named Anna. At first she seemed pensive but all it took was a little time and she was right into the swing of things. She was even reading and singing off my carol sheet.

Most inspiring moment: Seeing Brad get the kids fired up. We had kids missing hockey practice to come out on the street with us. Brad would get these kids so stoked on Random Acts of Kindness, it was wonderful. They were bouncing off the walls.

Shout outs: The whole kindness team at the Gander Hotel. You are all wonderful people.

Classic quote: "Oh, when you're happy, you better be happy, if you're happy, 100%....." -a small refrain from the happy song that the Hotel employees are constantly singing.

My crux: I have a heavy heart. I feel a little fragile. Oh man, what a strange life this is. Nobody makes the rules; therefore each individual is empowered infinitely. That's not an easy freedom to live with. It's hard to ford your own path. There are no markers along the way, or wait, maybe there are an infinite amount of markers its just so hard to know which ones to gage your successes by. Believing in yourself is not as easy as saying that you do. I give huge props to anyone who can be an individual with courage.

Physically speaking: Good, although I did sublux my shoulder yesterday at the gym.

Mental stimulation: Really?

Big laughs: I love watching people who smile while they are talking on the phone. A lot of the crew does that and I think it's wonderful.

When I finished writing this I was: Feeling emotional.