“Can we do it, yes we can”
I Need a Hero: January 23, 2009
Hello my friends, this has been quite the week hasn’t it with our American neighbours celebrating and welcoming in a new President. I was quite moved about the Presidential ceremonies this past Tuesday. Our staff at “Da House” huddled up in one of the meeting rooms and shared the moment and watched the inauguration. It was a very inspirational occasion. It was also nice to see so many people rallying around the new President looking for hope, inspiration, racial equality and certainly one giant step for mankind. I heard in one report that he had the highest approval rating than any other President which was at 80%.
As I was just sitting there watching and knowing that millions of people were doing the same thing and feeling the positive energy made me realize that there is hope for all of us. By just looking at what President Elect Obama has gone thru to get where he is today, it took a lot of hard work and battling so many challenges and road blocks. I really appreciated his one speech during the election where he would include the catchy phrase, “Can we do it” and people in the audience would reply “Yes we can”. Now hopefully one day we can see someone from our community step forward and maybe not mirror what this man is doing and maybe not follow in his footsteps but blaze a trail for others in this community to follow. The legendary Johnny Cash did a song with Bono and U2 called the “Wanderer” there is a line from it that I will always remember. “I went out searching looking for one good man, with a spirit who would not bend or break but would sit at his father’s right hand” I would like to think that this is something each of us as individuals tries to do. I know I try and I may not get it right all the time but I look at each day and take it one day at a time. And like you I think I’ll try and remember that catch phrase, “Can we do it “yes we can”. And if this community is not ready to do that and help make the change, to help be the change, then we certainly have a great generation of young people coming up who can carry the torch and make our community a little safer.
My baby Hannah turns 8 years old this weekend, my goodness where does the time go Grace is 10 years old. Hannah has once again decided that at her birthday party she does not want birthday presents from her friends. In her words, “she has everything she needs”. So in her invitation to her friends she is asking that they not bring presents for her but they bring presents for the animals at the “Wildlife Shelter”. Now as a friend of mine would say, “How cool is that”. If you would like to do the same give the crew at the Wildlife Shelter a call at 250-627-9270 and find out what they need and tell them I need a hero J and check out their website at wildlife@citytel.net
If you want to reach me I’m at ineedahero.pr@gmail.com or check out my blog at farleystewart.wordpress.com
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Peace, I’ll see you when I see you, have a great week.
I NEED a HERO: January 16, 2009
Just to give you all the heads up, my holidays are now over, I have technically been off for five weeks my goodness how time flies and yes “I am bringing sexy back”!
I have had a lot to think about on my downtime but unfortunately I have experienced a bit of racism while on my downtime. I guess unfortunately ignorance is still bliss it seems this will never change in our community. Also my nephew, young Tim, in late December was roughed up by three punks outside a coffee shop (with the same name as his). Sadly no one seemed to care enough to intervene but sat and watched, until one of the brothers got out of his car to help young Tim, who really wouldn’t hurt a fly. Thanks Chris. So it begins Prince Rupert, every time you think things change, it just stays the same. Dam you all and your apathy…So it begins and as I said to one disgruntled manager who disrespected me and my family; “Are you sure that this is the way you want to play this?”
So what do we do about this, well I guess for me it’s about education and awareness and there are a lot of good people out there doing this but just like any box of apples, there’s going to be a couple of rotten apples who ruin it for everyone. There are many websites out there that can help you, check out this website from the KIDSHEALTH for Kids http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/school_stuff/bullies.html here are some info from that site for your review.
Why Do Bullies Act That Way? When they pick on someone else, it can make them feel big and powerful. Some bullies come from families where everyone is angry and shouting all the time. They may think that being angry, calling names, and pushing people around is a normal way to act. Bullies often pick on someone they think they can have power over. Getting a big reaction out of someone can make bullies feel like they have the power they want. Bullying: How to Handle It – Stand tall and be brave. When you’re scared of another person, you’re probably not feeling your bravest. But sometimes just acting brave is enough to stop a bully. How does a brave person look and act? Stand tall and you’ll send the message: “Don’t mess with me.” It’s easier to feel brave when you feel good about yourself. If the bully says or does something to you ignore the bully. If you can, try your best to ignore the bully’s threats. Pretend you don’t hear them and walk away quickly to a place of safety. Bullies want a big reaction to their teasing and meanness. Acting as if you don’t notice and don’t care is like giving no reaction at all, and this just might stop a bully’s behaviour.
Stand up for yourself. Pretend to feel really brave and confident. Tell the bully “No! Stop it!” in a loud voice. Then walk away, or run if you have to. Kids also can stand up for each other by telling a bully to stop teasing or scaring someone else, and then walk away together. If a bully wants you to do something that you don’t want to do — say “no!” and walk away. If you do what a bully says to do, they will likely keep bullying you. Bullies tend to bully kids who don’t stick up for themselves. Don’t bully back. Don’t hit, kick, or push back to deal with someone bullying you or your friends. Fighting back just satisfies a bully and it’s dangerous, too, because someone could get hurt. You’re also likely to get in trouble. It’s best to stay with others, stay safe, and get help from an adult.
Don’t show your feelings. Plan ahead. How can you stop yourself from getting angry or showing that you’re upset? Try distracting yourself (counting backwards from 100, spelling the word ‘turtle’ backwards, etc.) to keep your mind occupied until you are out of the situation and somewhere safe where you can show your feelings. Bullying is wrong and it helps if everyone who gets bullied or sees someone being bullied speaks up. But no one needs to put up with a bully’s behaviour. If you or someone you know is bothered by a bully, talk to someone you trust. Everyone has the right to feel safe, and being bullied makes people feel unsafe. Tell someone about it and keep telling until something is done.
I wonder what the new City Council is doing about this. What other programs are there out there for you to help you deal with this. Let me know what you think. I now have a weblog check it out it’s a place where I put some of these articles and other stuff I’m at farleystewart.wordpress.com or send me an email: ineedahero.pr@gmail.com
Peace and have an awesome week. I’ll see you when I see you.
I NEED A HERO: JANUARY 9, 2009
Happy New Year everyone, I hope that this year holds for you the promise of goodwill you desire and that you are able to achieve your dreams as you embark on your journey remembering it’s the journey not the destination Yes I am still on holidays and it has been kind a nice. I have had some great down time and I’m looking forward to this upcoming year. Some interesting things I have read in the Daily News that have captured my interests and want to bring some attention to.
First in late December as you recall local lawyer Donald Silversides has been appointed to the newly formed “Health Revisions Review Board by the Minister of Health. Looking at the website: http://www.lcs.gov.bc.ca/BRDO/boardView it states the mandate of this Review Board as: The main purpose of the HPRB is to provide a fair, impartial, accountable and transparent mechanism for the review of decisions of colleges of designated health professions regarding registration, management of complaints, and discipline.
Now looking further into Part 4.2 of the Health Professions Act I’m reading further into the role of this independent committee, here’s the website if you want to check it out. http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/freeside/–%20H%20–/Health
I think this is something that is long overdue and will allow the voice of those who are having problems within the health system to have their voices heard by an independent body. I’m sure some of you know someone who has experienced some difficulty within this health system. Now you have an avenue to present your case and have it heard by an independent review committee. Now on the other hand we all know that our health system is very much underfunded and it could be argued that if we had the resources then most of the negative experiences could be avoided. Just going to the hospital is stressful enough but this Independent Committee could also make strong recommendations to the government. That if you want voters to have a good as possible experience in the health system then you need to adequately provide the resources our health professionals need to do their jobs. We’ll see how this plays out.
Our MP Nathan Cullen will be conducting an eight community tour to hear from his constituents suggestions he can bring back to Ottawa as the Federal Government looks at a new budget. Our friends at the North West Community College will be hosting this event here in Prince Rupert January 15, 2009 at 7pm. (Rumour has it that after the tour Nathan will appear on North of 60 as a Band Manager).
There are a number of concerns that I have, one in particular is the Homelessness Fund that Service Canada administers. My frustration is that it is so difficult to get money from them to deliver these programs. I know there are rules to follow but it just seems that it’s just endless, you do one thing then that’s wrong then you do another then that’s wrong. Now speaking of the wrong, don’t get me started about Health Canada, my goodness they should change their name, if they were a hockey team….. Anyway I appreciate Nathan taking this on I know there will be a good turn out and he will get the info he needs to bring back to Ottawa.
Speaking of Ottawa our Team Canada did an awesome job in winning the World Jr. Hockey Championships, again. Our boys whooped a few teams like Germany, USA and Sweden it’s quite refreshing isn’t it. I always look forward to Jr. Hockey at this time of year.
But I do need to check out the Prince Rupert Rampage our local Senior Men’s hockey club as some of you know this Saturday January 10 will be there final home game of the season as they host the Terrace River Kings. Tickets are quite reasonable and makes for a nice outing. I hope you can check it out.
The Friendship House has been nominated in the local Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce 2008 Business Excellence Awards. For the first time in its history we at the Friendship House have been nominated in five of the twelve categories, the deadline is today January 9th so hopefully you can get online and cast a few votes for your friends @ “Da House”. I know what you’re thinking…..it’s just nice to be nominated
Peace and have an awesome week. I’ll see you when I see you.
