#37

After reading this poem, and knowing a little bit of Nelson Mandela's background, I can see how he could really relate to it. He went through so much, just for standing up for what he believed in. In the poem, it says "In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloody, but unbowed." I feel that this verse really described his life. When the opportunity to stand up for what he believed in arose, he chased it, and although it resulted in him being thrown in jail, he still stood up for it. Although he went through so much emotional distress after almost 26 years in prison, he still kept strong for what he believed in, even though he could have just as easily given up to be set free.

#36

I think that this anonymous story is very fitting. It not only wraps the MetoWe book up, but it also wraps up leadership class. Leadership class has been very MetoWe oriented, and it's taught me, personally, to reach out and help whenever I can, and to become more selfless. The main things that really stuck with me in it are that everyone gets a gentle "push" when a situation arises which we can help someone in. Although I don't feel that my "big moment" has come yet, I think that after reading this book, and learning everything that I have in leadership class, I will be well equipped, not only with knowledge, but the mindset to really make a difference, and to approach it in the most effective way possible.

#35

This story was absolutely amazing. It amazed me how he could forgive the man who took his right hand from him, and shake his hand using his left hand. That amazed me. I think that Santosh's mindset was that, yeah, my hand is gone, but I have to just keep living life and make use of what I've got. The fact that he taught himself to use his left hand for everything like writing and make wooden statues, and is going back to school is amazing. I don't think most people could overcome what he has, and continue to live their life with the same positive mindset that he has.

#34

The Mr. Williams that I know is a man named Hue. I work along side of Hue at the Thamesford Recreational Centre. Hue is one of the most selfless and generous people I know. Whether it be him looking out for my safety, or bringing me a hot chocolate, or even something as simple as sharing that smile of his. I'm really blessed to work along side him, and to have developed a strong friendship with him over the past four years. He is not only like this for me, but he's the same man around everyone else; sincere, generous and selfless.

#32

After reading the first page and a half, my heart sank for Lindsay. To have to be put through her mother going through the stages of cancer, twice, was just horrible. But then as I read the rest of the story, my spirits lifted, not only because her mother was okay, but because Lindsay realized, through such a simple thing as a run, that she could pick herself up and keep going, even when times are hard, and that she realized she needs to spend time with the ones she loves because we never know when or what terrible diseases could possibly attack them. It really made me realize that I need to spend more time with my family, and the ones that mean the most to me.

#31

Victor Frankl says that life ultimately means "taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." I agree with this statement. I feel that we can't just sit around and live our lives without trying to make an effort to find out ways to solve the problems life throws at us. After all, if we don't accept the problems that we face, and live our lives and take risks, our lives would be nothing but boring. As well, although we don't always find the solutions to the problems we face, sometimes we learn from the problems, and prevent more from happening in the future.

#33 We're a minga!

A time that I remember now, and will remember for the rest of my life when leadership class became a minga was when we took charge of Walk for Wade as a class. It was really amazing how we all came together to work to achieve a goal that we had set for ourselves. I believe that it really benefited Wade, and I feel that it also benefited our class. Not only were we helping a fellow peer, and friend, but we were also learning how to be more selfless and see how much we can achieve if we work together. It felt really good to see how much we could accomplish, and I think that we should reach out and try to become a minga as often as we can.