#11 me to we pg 46

I think that it's amazing that only 10% stopped. I would have thought that a lot more would have, because at the end of the day, we're all human, and things such as making a class on time doesn't seem as important as helping someone who is in dire need of help. I think that this wouldn't be a proper study when looking at how the general population would react. I think that a lot of these students would have stopped, but they were probably preoccupied and were racing to get to class, and weren't even paying attention to their surroundings. They might not all have even seen him, although some of them had to step over them. I personally think that much more than 10% should have stopped. Maybe after hearing the lesson on "The Good Samaritan," their values may have changed, and maybe this would have affected their decision that they made earlier that day.

#6: Marc's Story

Marc's story has to reflect one of the biggest acts of selfless living I have ever heard of. He could have lived the most luxurious, stress-free, debt free life in an instant; yet he gave it all away in regards to the needs of others. Truly amazing. He got to experience, first hand, the devastation of AIDS in Thailand, when a man died, who was under Marc's care, and all Marc could do was hold his hand and watch him die. I think this was his personal turning point, and when he started to have second thoughts on what he should and shouldn't do with his life. The party that he was invited to by the boy from the Klong Toey slums also helped influence his decision, I feel. It's still amazing to me how he had the complete choice between fortune, and a less fortunate life, and he chose the less fortunate life, just to help others. Without Marc's crucial decision, and strong influence on his brother, Craig, I don't think that Me to We would have evolved into what it has today.

#8: Keith's Story

Keith's story was almost as inspiring as Craig's story! I found it amazing how when someone who was struggling themselves financially (with student loans, living expenses, etc), made an effort to reach out to those in need even under the circumstances! I can only imagine how good it must have felt when he first put Modest Needs into play by writing that cheque for the $78 car insurance bill that a mid-west United States man couldn't pay by himself. Keith said that the feeling he felt was "unlike anything he's ever experienced," and I'd really like to experience that feeling some day myself too. Also, the story about buying the boy born with Irlen's syndrome new glasses, and how he could finally see his own mother brought a smile to my face, because it's amazing how something so simple, such as a pair of glasses, can make such a difference in a family's life, all because of selfless living.

Blog #12: Stand By Me | Playing For Change | Song Around the World

Youtube Video Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM
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This video is so inspiring! It shows that everyone can unite and share something in common; even if they're on the other side of the world. The music unites the world as one, and for a moment in time, all of our differences and different lifestyles are thrown away. It makes us realize that at the end of the day, we really are all the same, and that we can depend on each other in our times of need. I also chose this video, because I really like the song, and I thought everyone played amazing in it. The organization, PlayingForChange, encourages world peace and understanding through music. I think that anyone who watches this video will never forget it and will feel the same way about it that I do. I was first shown this video last year in music class, and I still haven't forgot about it. It truly is a great reminder of how important equality and peace really is for all of us.

Blog #10: so this happiness thing..follow up from survey in #9

Happiness is such a broad word, and its definition differs from person to person. Personally, I have several definitions for it. Firstly, I feel that happiness is a complete decision made by a person individually. One must pursue happiness, and not wait for it to find them first, because it won't. This is crucial in order to experience and enjoy self happiness to the fullest. One would recognize it by things such as warming smiles, giving, sharing, love, selfless acts, or just an all around positive person, and encouraging person to be around. If I were given $500 right now, I would invest it, and begin saving for my future. Although this sounds selfish, I feel that if I were to save this $500, and turn it into, say, $2000 eventually, I could still have that original $500 that I saved, and have $1500 more for things such as helping the less fortunate. If I were given $5000, I would do something similar to if I were given $500, but I would probably only invest half, and donate the other half to someone less fortunate than myself. If I were given $50000, I would definitely donate a fair amount to charity, save half or more for my future, and have a little bit of fun.

A very wise man once said:

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

Mahatma Gandhi

Blog #9: The World Values Survey

The results of the world values survey did not surprise me. I feel that since poverty stricken countries do not have the time or money for technology and pass times, they have more time for family and friends, unlike North America. In North America, we're constantly bombarded with technology and new things to distract us from our social lives and family; not to mention debt. With money comes debt, and with debt comes stress, and with stress comes unhappiness. But to even think about taking all of that away and living a simpler life seems crazy, but in poverty stricken countries, that's all they've lived and grown to know.

Blog #7: IDCI is...

a lifestyle! Every day, hundreds of students follow the same routine beginning with school at IDCI. Although some people don't like going to school, others do, and having IDCI as a school just makes the experience that much better. The spirit at this school is unbelievable! It's unlike any other school I've ever been to. There are also tons of ways to get involved such as in sports, music, spirit and the community! The teachers are also all very knowledgeable and friendly. I think that IDCI is best known for it's active participation in community events, spirit and sports. It could improve, in my opinion, by giving the students more of an opportunity to voice their opinions and give their ideas both anonymously and publicly! IDCI is a great school!

Blog #5: Kim's Story

The picture of Kim not only shocked me, but it shocked everyone else in my class. It was hard to believe that people could be that cruel to innocent people. Seeing a young girl running clotheless in pain really makes you wonder what the point of war and fighting really is. So many innocent people are hurt or killed in the act, and it's not even their fight! Although the picture is disturbing, I think that it was a "wake up" call for many people, and that it made people second guess what the point of all the fighting really was. I think that without this picture being published, the outcome of the war would have been completely different, and it might have even affected our lives today.

Blog #4: The power of half

This story was absolutely inspiring! It's something I've always thought about, but something I don't think I'd ever have the strength to do; not to mention my parents would probably laugh at the idea. I actually ended up talking to my dad about the story, and how much it affected me. He jokingly asked me if I wanted to do it, but I told him I don't think I could, as rewarding as it would be. I think it's amazing that someone who's been so blessed in life would want to give up half of what they owned to help others. I also think that it's amazing that her parent's agreed to participate as well. Although this story has inspired me, I don't think that I will end up giving half of what I own away, but I will definitely start giving more to those in need.

Blog #3

Craig is such an inspiration to us all! He really made me realize how just an average person can make such a difference in so many lives. I think it's pretty amazing how a 12 year old can read an article in the news paper and bring it up infront of his friends and join together to make a difference. Iqbal, the boy who inspired Craig, deserves just as much credit as Craig, I feel. He began the whole Child Labour Rights movement, and his death was the beginning of something so great, that it would change the lives of so many people.

blog #2

This guy was hilarious, and so right! He really made me realize how much society has grown dependent on receiving things instantaneously, and if people end up having to wait longer than expected, they complain, which is ridiculous. It's amazing how far technology has progressed in such a short period of time to make our every day lives easier. However, I feel that we can't completely blame today's society for their impatience when it comes to technology as most people have been born or raised in a time of changing technology, so really, it's all that they have grown to know. It's hard for us to compare how things used to be with how things are today.

Blog #1: Canadian Hand Print Flags

The Canadian hand print flags were fun to make. The hardest part, I think was making the maple leaf in the middle. Several people stepped up to the plate and took control which was cool to see. There were also many people who waited on someone to take control and give them a job to do. Everyone got along and worked together using their own unique ideas and skills. For example, one member of our group thought of the idea of folding a piece of paper, then tracing their hand, and then cutting out the tracing which made eight hand prints at once, instead of one. This was a great ice breaking activity!