[Applause] i’li how you doing doing good I am a gen
i’li how you doing doing good I am a gen
i’li how you doing doing good I am a gen Xer who grew up in Brantford and there
Xer who grew up in Brantford and there
Xer who grew up in Brantford and there is nothing than the gen Xer hates more
is nothing than the gen Xer hates more
is nothing than the gen Xer hates more than everything and when you grew up in
than everything and when you grew up in
than everything and when you grew up in Brantford as a generation Xer there was
Brantford as a generation Xer there was
Brantford as a generation Xer there was a reason to dislike the city that you
a reason to dislike the city that you
a reason to dislike the city that you lived in Brantford when I was growing up
lived in Brantford when I was growing up
lived in Brantford when I was growing up kind of looked like this this is what my
kind of looked like this this is what my
kind of looked like this this is what my downtown looked like the mayor of the
downtown looked like the mayor of the
downtown looked like the mayor of the city called Brantford the worst downtown
city called Brantford the worst downtown
city called Brantford the worst downtown in Canada and he was 100% correct
in Canada and he was 100% correct
in Canada and he was 100% correct the city had fallen to pieces the
the city had fallen to pieces the
the city had fallen to pieces the downtown was in disrepair industry had
downtown was in disrepair industry had
downtown was in disrepair industry had moved out culturally it was a mess
moved out culturally it was a mess
moved out culturally it was a mess socially it felt oppressive this is the
socially it felt oppressive this is the
socially it felt oppressive this is the downtown and this is the city that I
downtown and this is the city that I
downtown and this is the city that I grew up in as a gen Xer struggling to
grew up in as a gen Xer struggling to
grew up in as a gen Xer struggling to find a way to be able to live my life
find a way to be able to live my life
find a way to be able to live my life here in Brantford in fact the worst that
here in Brantford in fact the worst that
here in Brantford in fact the worst that it ever got was when they filmed the
it ever got was when they filmed the
it ever got was when they filmed the movie Silent Hill in the downtown of
movie Silent Hill in the downtown of
movie Silent Hill in the downtown of Brantford now Silent Hill is a movie
Brantford now Silent Hill is a movie
Brantford now Silent Hill is a movie about a post-apocalyptic zombie
about a post-apocalyptic zombie
about a post-apocalyptic zombie wasteland and they thought where in the
wasteland and they thought where in the
wasteland and they thought where in the world could we film this let’s go to
world could we film this let’s go to
world could we film this let’s go to Brantford and they didn’t have to do a
Brantford and they didn’t have to do a
Brantford and they didn’t have to do a heck of a lot to it to be able to make
heck of a lot to it to be able to make
heck of a lot to it to be able to make it look like a post-apocalyptic zombie
it look like a post-apocalyptic zombie
it look like a post-apocalyptic zombie wasteland that was the culture that I
wasteland that was the culture that I
wasteland that was the culture that I grew up in fun thankfully I grew up and
grew up in fun thankfully I grew up and
grew up in fun thankfully I grew up and I thought I want to make a difference I
I thought I want to make a difference I
I thought I want to make a difference I want to do something to be able to make
want to do something to be able to make
want to do something to be able to make the world a better place and so I did
the world a better place and so I did
the world a better place and so I did what many young people who want to
what many young people who want to
what many young people who want to change the world do you leave my wife
change the world do you leave my wife
change the world do you leave my wife and I we moved to West Africa for a
and I we moved to West Africa for a
and I we moved to West Africa for a short time we went there when we were we
short time we went there when we were we
short time we went there when we were we were young we were married we were
were young we were married we were
were young we were married we were zealous we wanted to make the world a
zealous we wanted to make the world a
zealous we wanted to make the world a better place we got to do some really
better place we got to do some really
better place we got to do some really neat things like I started a baseball
neat things like I started a baseball
neat things like I started a baseball league for those in the in inner cities
league for those in the in inner cities
league for those in the in inner cities where we were able to teach job skills
where we were able to teach job skills
where we were able to teach job skills and life skills as well as sports but
and life skills as well as sports but
and life skills as well as sports but the truth is is that the thing that
the truth is is that the thing that
the truth is is that the thing that impacted me most was experiencing
impacted me most was experiencing
impacted me most was experiencing experiencing a culture that I had never
experiencing a culture that I had never
experiencing a culture that I had never seen before in fact the one attribute
seen before in fact the one attribute
seen before in fact the one attribute that stuck out the most was kindness
that stuck out the most was kindness
that stuck out the most was kindness there was a culture
there was a culture
there was a culture that I experienced where people would
that I experienced where people would
that I experienced where people would invite you into their homes without
invite you into their homes without
invite you into their homes without expectation they would talk to you on
expectation they would talk to you on
expectation they would talk to you on the street they would greet you as he
the street they would greet you as he
the street they would greet you as he walked along there on the road and I was
walked along there on the road and I was
walked along there on the road and I was confronted by this and I began to
confronted by this and I began to
confronted by this and I began to realize that my culture Canadians were
realize that my culture Canadians were
realize that my culture Canadians were not cold to each other but we’re also
not cold to each other but we’re also
not cold to each other but we’re also not in each other’s lives on purpose
not in each other’s lives on purpose
not in each other’s lives on purpose like we used to be and maybe should be
like we used to be and maybe should be
like we used to be and maybe should be again it confronted me and made me think
again it confronted me and made me think
again it confronted me and made me think not necessarily just about what I was
not necessarily just about what I was
not necessarily just about what I was going to do in Africa but how I was
going to do in Africa but how I was
going to do in Africa but how I was going to take what I learned in Africa
going to take what I learned in Africa
going to take what I learned in Africa back to Bradford my heart broke for my
back to Bradford my heart broke for my
back to Bradford my heart broke for my own City and so I came home I came home
own City and so I came home I came home
own City and so I came home I came home and I looked for a bunch of other people
and I looked for a bunch of other people
and I looked for a bunch of other people who had helped dream with me and so we
who had helped dream with me and so we
who had helped dream with me and so we started a church called Freedom House
started a church called Freedom House
started a church called Freedom House only a few blocks from where we stand
only a few blocks from where we stand
only a few blocks from where we stand today it was an old blue bar that we
today it was an old blue bar that we
today it was an old blue bar that we bought and we thought let’s do this
bought and we thought let’s do this
bought and we thought let’s do this right the church but has stopped being
right the church but has stopped being
right the church but has stopped being involved in the community let’s find a
involved in the community let’s find a
involved in the community let’s find a way to be able to go back into the
way to be able to go back into the
way to be able to go back into the community and see legitimate city
community and see legitimate city
community and see legitimate city transformation through what we’re doing
transformation through what we’re doing
transformation through what we’re doing and so we bought this ugly blue bar when
and so we bought this ugly blue bar when
and so we bought this ugly blue bar when we bought this bar
we bought this bar
we bought this bar they were running drugs out of the
they were running drugs out of the
they were running drugs out of the kitchen people were turning tricks in
kitchen people were turning tricks in
kitchen people were turning tricks in the parking lot and right across the
the parking lot and right across the
the parking lot and right across the street from this blue bar one night as
street from this blue bar one night as
street from this blue bar one night as we came out we experienced something
we came out we experienced something
we came out we experienced something that I’d never seen before growing up in
that I’d never seen before growing up in
that I’d never seen before growing up in a more affluent part of town I saw a
a more affluent part of town I saw a
a more affluent part of town I saw a crack house where there were eight to
crack house where there were eight to
crack house where there were eight to ten eight to ten-year-old boys sitting
ten eight to ten-year-old boys sitting
ten eight to ten-year-old boys sitting on lawn chairs at midnight or one
on lawn chairs at midnight or one
on lawn chairs at midnight or one o’clock in the morning a long Market
o’clock in the morning a long Market
o’clock in the morning a long Market Street the guy who ran the crack house
Street the guy who ran the crack house
Street the guy who ran the crack house would whistle when the kids would come
would whistle when the kids would come
would whistle when the kids would come up into the house and be essentially
up into the house and be essentially
up into the house and be essentially used as drug mules to get on their bikes
used as drug mules to get on their bikes
used as drug mules to get on their bikes and go riding off into the night at
and go riding off into the night at
and go riding off into the night at midnight one o’clock in the morning on
midnight one o’clock in the morning on
midnight one o’clock in the morning on Market Street and I thought what can we
Market Street and I thought what can we
Market Street and I thought what can we do how do I get into this world how can
do how do I get into this world how can
do how do I get into this world how can I with what little skills I have I got
I with what little skills I have I got
I with what little skills I have I got energy from that baby it what can I do
energy from that baby it what can I do
energy from that baby it what can I do so we took kindness we thought what can
so we took kindness we thought what can
so we took kindness we thought what can we use kindness for to be able to do
we use kindness for to be able to do
we use kindness for to be able to do something we don’t know what to do so
something we don’t know what to do so
something we don’t know what to do so let’s do something so we set up a
let’s do something so we set up a
let’s do something so we set up a barbecue from 10 o’clock at night until
barbecue from 10 o’clock at night until
barbecue from 10 o’clock at night until 2 o’clock in the morning right there on
2 o’clock in the morning right there on
2 o’clock in the morning right there on Market Street and we brought some of the
Market Street and we brought some of the
Market Street and we brought some of the cheapest burgers and hot dogs you can
cheapest burgers and hot dogs you can
cheapest burgers and hot dogs you can get not even the good stuff like chicken
get not even the good stuff like chicken
get not even the good stuff like chicken wieners terrible stuff and we set up
wieners terrible stuff and we set up
wieners terrible stuff and we set up this barbecue and we began
into the midnight sky people showed up
into the midnight sky people showed up as it turns out you we began to build
as it turns out you we began to build
as it turns out you we began to build relationship with people they came for
relationship with people they came for
relationship with people they came for the free burger and we begin to
the free burger and we begin to
the free burger and we begin to understand who they were we began to
understand who they were we began to
understand who they were we began to hear things about their life they began
hear things about their life they began
hear things about their life they began to tell us their stories and all of a
to tell us their stories and all of a
to tell us their stories and all of a sudden for somebody like me that this
sudden for somebody like me that this
sudden for somebody like me that this was just an issue they became real
was just an issue they became real
was just an issue they became real people to me all of a sudden with real
people to me all of a sudden with real
people to me all of a sudden with real stories and men me being charged with
stories and men me being charged with
stories and men me being charged with all right what do I do with this how do
all right what do I do with this how do
all right what do I do with this how do I help how do I use this to be able to
I help how do I use this to be able to
I help how do I use this to be able to go and help seed transformation on this
go and help seed transformation on this
go and help seed transformation on this street
street
street it wasn’t easy though in fact sometimes
it wasn’t easy though in fact sometimes
it wasn’t easy though in fact sometimes it was dangerous one night the barbecue
it was dangerous one night the barbecue
it was dangerous one night the barbecue was taken inside the big blue bar
was taken inside the big blue bar
was taken inside the big blue bar because it was raining and I was alone
because it was raining and I was alone
because it was raining and I was alone in an alley grilling up meat and I
in an alley grilling up meat and I
in an alley grilling up meat and I started I saw two shadowy characters
started I saw two shadowy characters
started I saw two shadowy characters walking down Market Street and as was my
walking down Market Street and as was my
walking down Market Street and as was my custom I began to yell well they came
custom I began to yell well they came
custom I began to yell well they came over it was a big guy in the little guy
over it was a big guy in the little guy
over it was a big guy in the little guy the little guy goes hey be careful of
the little guy goes hey be careful of
the little guy goes hey be careful of the big guy and I realized why when he
the big guy and I realized why when he
the big guy and I realized why when he took out a knife and he stuck it in my
took out a knife and he stuck it in my
took out a knife and he stuck it in my face and he looked at me and he said do
face and he looked at me and he said do
face and he looked at me and he said do you want to die have you ever wondered
you want to die have you ever wondered
you want to die have you ever wondered what you would say if someone stuck a
what you would say if someone stuck a
what you would say if someone stuck a knife in your face and said do you want
knife in your face and said do you want
knife in your face and said do you want to die because I always wondered and as
to die because I always wondered and as
to die because I always wondered and as it turns out what I said was no do you
it turns out what I said was no do you
it turns out what I said was no do you want a burger
and the big guy looked at me anyway yeah
and the big guy looked at me anyway yeah and he stumbled in Thai inside our
and he stumbled in Thai inside our
and he stumbled in Thai inside our church he had a burger and we distracted
church he had a burger and we distracted
church he had a burger and we distracted him for a little bit because all of a
him for a little bit because all of a
him for a little bit because all of a sudden I got in this conversation with a
sudden I got in this conversation with a
sudden I got in this conversation with a little guy he says what am i doing out
little guy he says what am i doing out
little guy he says what am i doing out here why am i with this maniac in my
here why am i with this maniac in my
here why am i with this maniac in my life why am i here you wouldn’t believe
life why am i here you wouldn’t believe
life why am i here you wouldn’t believe this guy just did and I said listen you
this guy just did and I said listen you
this guy just did and I said listen you came here for a purpose you came here
came here for a purpose you came here
came here for a purpose you came here for a reason
for a reason
for a reason kindness intercepted your life tonight
kindness intercepted your life tonight
kindness intercepted your life tonight and tomorrow I’m gonna call you at home
and tomorrow I’m gonna call you at home
and tomorrow I’m gonna call you at home and I want you to tell me how you know
and I want you to tell me how you know
and I want you to tell me how you know that what happened here was on purpose
that what happened here was on purpose
that what happened here was on purpose and he said okay and he left they went
and he said okay and he left they went
and he said okay and he left they went off into the midnight sky I called him
off into the midnight sky I called him
off into the midnight sky I called him the next day at home and I said Ryan how
the next day at home and I said Ryan how
the next day at home and I said Ryan how do you know that kindness intercepted
do you know that kindness intercepted
do you know that kindness intercepted your life and you’ve got a purpose he
your life and you’ve got a purpose he
your life and you’ve got a purpose he said Dave let me tell you a story
said Dave let me tell you a story
said Dave let me tell you a story when we left here that big guy went down
when we left here that big guy went down
when we left here that big guy went down the street to one of those bars and he
the street to one of those bars and he
the street to one of those bars and he stabbed a guy nearly to death he said
stabbed a guy nearly to death he said
stabbed a guy nearly to death he said he’s in jail but the truth is I was
he’s in jail but the truth is I was
he’s in jail but the truth is I was planning on killing that person tonight
planning on killing that person tonight
planning on killing that person tonight he said I’m home and I’m safe and he’s
he said I’m home and I’m safe and he’s
he said I’m home and I’m safe and he’s in jail and kindness intercepted my life
in jail and kindness intercepted my life
in jail and kindness intercepted my life tonight and I went oh my goodness one
tonight and I went oh my goodness one
tonight and I went oh my goodness one little interaction with a guy over a
little interaction with a guy over a
little interaction with a guy over a free burger and being goofy and his life
free burger and being goofy and his life
free burger and being goofy and his life goes from this to this is nothing I did
goes from this to this is nothing I did
goes from this to this is nothing I did and it wasn’t even the burger it’s the
and it wasn’t even the burger it’s the
and it wasn’t even the burger it’s the kindness it’s transformational and so we
kindness it’s transformational and so we
kindness it’s transformational and so we double down on kindness we said what
double down on kindness we said what
double down on kindness we said what else can we do the city Santa Claus
else can we do the city Santa Claus
else can we do the city Santa Claus Parade that year’s theme was superheroes
Parade that year’s theme was superheroes
Parade that year’s theme was superheroes and without thinking much about it we
and without thinking much about it we
and without thinking much about it we thought well we’re gonna put a float in
thought well we’re gonna put a float in
thought well we’re gonna put a float in the parade the theme is superheroes
the parade the theme is superheroes
the parade the theme is superheroes let’s put David a leotard and stick him
let’s put David a leotard and stick him
let’s put David a leotard and stick him up in a flatbed truck and call him
up in a flatbed truck and call him
up in a flatbed truck and call him captain kindness and we’ll see what
captain kindness and we’ll see what
captain kindness and we’ll see what happens and that was nine years ago we
happens and that was nine years ago we
happens and that was nine years ago we won the award best float in a Santa
won the award best float in a Santa
won the award best float in a Santa Claus Parade that year I thought it was
Claus Parade that year I thought it was
Claus Parade that year I thought it was a one-off I never expected to be an
a one-off I never expected to be an
a one-off I never expected to be an adult male the dress like a spree hero
adult male the dress like a spree hero
adult male the dress like a spree hero in a leotard on the semi regular basis
in a leotard on the semi regular basis
in a leotard on the semi regular basis and yet we started to get calls to
and yet we started to get calls to
and yet we started to get calls to captain kindness come to my school can
captain kindness come to my school can
captain kindness come to my school can captain kindness cut the ribbon on my
captain kindness cut the ribbon on my
captain kindness cut the ribbon on my fish and chips stand okay captain
fish and chips stand okay captain
fish and chips stand okay captain kindness do the retirement birthday
kindness do the retirement birthday
kindness do the retirement birthday party for the chief legal counsel to the
party for the chief legal counsel to the
party for the chief legal counsel to the Children’s Aid Society and I said what
Children’s Aid Society and I said what
Children’s Aid Society and I said what this is for real I got to do this again
this is for real I got to do this again
this is for real I got to do this again that was eight nine years ago I haven’t
that was eight nine years ago I haven’t
that was eight nine years ago I haven’t been able to get out of this costume I
been able to get out of this costume I
been able to get out of this costume I walk down the street people salute me
walk down the street people salute me
walk down the street people salute me and they go captain
and they go captain
and they go captain like a how is this my life how many
like a how is this my life how many
like a how is this my life how many people in this room grew up wanting to
people in this room grew up wanting to
people in this room grew up wanting to be a superhero anybody I’m living your
be a superhero anybody I’m living your
be a superhero anybody I’m living your dream I’m not one of those guys
dream I’m not one of those guys
dream I’m not one of those guys I’ve never even owned a comic book I
I’ve never even owned a comic book I
I’ve never even owned a comic book I don’t know the superhero movies I’m
don’t know the superhero movies I’m
don’t know the superhero movies I’m living your dream and yet the truth is
living your dream and yet the truth is
living your dream and yet the truth is is that this has been used to open so
is that this has been used to open so
is that this has been used to open so many doors to impact not just lives but
many doors to impact not just lives but
many doors to impact not just lives but in the city so we started going to the
in the city so we started going to the
in the city so we started going to the city to go your downtown is trying to
city to go your downtown is trying to
city to go your downtown is trying to come alive what can we do to be able to
come alive what can we do to be able to
come alive what can we do to be able to help and so they were doing movie nights
help and so they were doing movie nights
help and so they were doing movie nights in harmony Square the city puts on these
in harmony Square the city puts on these
in harmony Square the city puts on these free movie nights every Thursday some of
free movie nights every Thursday some of
free movie nights every Thursday some of you have probably been there well
you have probably been there well
you have probably been there well captain kindness goes and does the pre
captain kindness goes and does the pre
captain kindness goes and does the pre family show for the movie nights and
family show for the movie nights and
family show for the movie nights and four or five hundred people gather and
four or five hundred people gather and
four or five hundred people gather and do movies in harmony square at the end
do movies in harmony square at the end
do movies in harmony square at the end of this night I have to walk from
of this night I have to walk from
of this night I have to walk from harmony Square to Freedom House which is
harmony Square to Freedom House which is
harmony Square to Freedom House which is two blocks but in those two blocks are a
two blocks but in those two blocks are a
two blocks but in those two blocks are a bunch of bars and a bunch of patios and
bunch of bars and a bunch of patios and
bunch of bars and a bunch of patios and a bunch of drunk guys who seemed to like
a bunch of drunk guys who seemed to like
a bunch of drunk guys who seemed to like making fun of a guy in a leotard and a
making fun of a guy in a leotard and a
making fun of a guy in a leotard and a clock walking and down the street as so
clock walking and down the street as so
clock walking and down the street as so they should one night I’m walking the
they should one night I’m walking the
they should one night I’m walking the gauntlet and I hear someone yelling
gauntlet and I hear someone yelling
gauntlet and I hear someone yelling captain kindness captain kindness I
captain kindness captain kindness I
captain kindness captain kindness I turned around they said hello citizen ah
turned around they said hello citizen ah
turned around they said hello citizen ah and I kept walking he chased after me he
and I kept walking he chased after me he
and I kept walking he chased after me he was captain kindness I got to tell you a
was captain kindness I got to tell you a
was captain kindness I got to tell you a story he said I was downtown today and a
story he said I was downtown today and a
story he said I was downtown today and a homeless man came up to me and asked me
homeless man came up to me and asked me
homeless man came up to me and asked me for money so we know what I did I
for money so we know what I did I
for money so we know what I did I thought to myself what would captain
thought to myself what would captain
thought to myself what would captain kindness do and he said I took him out
kindness do and he said I took him out
kindness do and he said I took him out for breakfast and we sat there and he
for breakfast and we sat there and he
for breakfast and we sat there and he told me his story and I shared mine and
told me his story and I shared mine and
told me his story and I shared mine and it was fantastic and I wanted to tell
it was fantastic and I wanted to tell
it was fantastic and I wanted to tell you that that’s what happened in
you that that’s what happened in
you that that’s what happened in downtown Brantford today and I went how
downtown Brantford today and I went how
downtown Brantford today and I went how is this possible how can these little
is this possible how can these little
is this possible how can these little things actually make real impacts in
things actually make real impacts in
things actually make real impacts in real people’s lives and can it help
real people’s lives and can it help
real people’s lives and can it help change so we double down on kindness
change so we double down on kindness
change so we double down on kindness again we went back to the city we said
again we went back to the city we said
again we went back to the city we said all right what’s next how do we serve
all right what’s next how do we serve
all right what’s next how do we serve you how do we use kindness to make the
you how do we use kindness to make the
you how do we use kindness to make the city a better place well the city said
city a better place well the city said
city a better place well the city said well I’ll tell you what we have a Jazz
well I’ll tell you what we have a Jazz
well I’ll tell you what we have a Jazz Festival in the summer but we’d love
Festival in the summer but we’d love
Festival in the summer but we’d love something in the winter
something in the winter
something in the winter could you do something in the winter and
could you do something in the winter and
could you do something in the winter and we said sure we can do a Winter Carnival
we said sure we can do a Winter Carnival
we said sure we can do a Winter Carnival about that and then we went back to our
about that and then we went back to our
about that and then we went back to our house and we googled how to do a Winter
house and we googled how to do a Winter
house and we googled how to do a Winter Carnival
Carnival
Carnival and we birthed frosty fest frosty Fest
and we birthed frosty fest frosty Fest
and we birthed frosty fest frosty Fest is Bradford’s downtown Winter Carnival
is Bradford’s downtown Winter Carnival
is Bradford’s downtown Winter Carnival last year 17,000 people came to it and
last year 17,000 people came to it and
last year 17,000 people came to it and it’s one of the largest festivals that
it’s one of the largest festivals that
it’s one of the largest festivals that the city has every year a bunch of years
the city has every year a bunch of years
the city has every year a bunch of years ago we were up on the stage and we were
ago we were up on the stage and we were
ago we were up on the stage and we were there on the family Day weekend and we
there on the family Day weekend and we
there on the family Day weekend and we looked over the expanse of people in the
looked over the expanse of people in the
looked over the expanse of people in the downtown where there didn’t used to be
downtown where there didn’t used to be
downtown where there didn’t used to be anything and the mayor said this is the
anything and the mayor said this is the
anything and the mayor said this is the watershed moment in the transformation
watershed moment in the transformation
watershed moment in the transformation of our downtown today and what all we
of our downtown today and what all we
of our downtown today and what all we did was say how do we serve you how do
did was say how do we serve you how do
did was say how do we serve you how do we bless you how do we be kind and we’re
we bless you how do we be kind and we’re
we bless you how do we be kind and we’re watching ripples and ripples and ripples
watching ripples and ripples and ripples
watching ripples and ripples and ripples and ripples if we’re just willing to do
and ripples if we’re just willing to do
and ripples if we’re just willing to do something with what you have let me
something with what you have let me
something with what you have let me share with you something about kindness
share with you something about kindness
share with you something about kindness kindness for the amount of time that I
kindness for the amount of time that I
kindness for the amount of time that I talk about it and participate in it is
talk about it and participate in it is
talk about it and participate in it is actually somewhat difficult to define
actually somewhat difficult to define
actually somewhat difficult to define the definition of kindness is
the definition of kindness is
the definition of kindness is technically showing benevolence
technically showing benevolence
technically showing benevolence benevolence is another interesting word
benevolence is another interesting word
benevolence is another interesting word benevolence means the disposition to do
benevolence means the disposition to do
benevolence means the disposition to do good so go down one more level
good so go down one more level
good so go down one more level disposition is your state of being who
disposition is your state of being who
disposition is your state of being who you are who you are your spirit your
you are who you are your spirit your
you are who you are your spirit your insides so take it back up that ladder
insides so take it back up that ladder
insides so take it back up that ladder kindness is actually something good that
kindness is actually something good that
kindness is actually something good that you do out of something good that you
you do out of something good that you
you do out of something good that you are kindness is something good that you
are kindness is something good that you
are kindness is something good that you do out of something good that you are
do out of something good that you are
do out of something good that you are that’s what kindness is but some of us
that’s what kindness is but some of us
that’s what kindness is but some of us don’t believe that we have goodness
don’t believe that we have goodness
don’t believe that we have goodness inside of us so people don’t buy it some
inside of us so people don’t buy it some
inside of us so people don’t buy it some people don’t know it I get to go into a
people don’t know it I get to go into a
people don’t know it I get to go into a lot of elementary schools and when I go
lot of elementary schools and when I go
lot of elementary schools and when I go into the school I’ll talk about the
into the school I’ll talk about the
into the school I’ll talk about the areas and the concentric circles of how
areas and the concentric circles of how
areas and the concentric circles of how you can use kindness in your life and I
you can use kindness in your life and I
you can use kindness in your life and I just start with kids about you have
just start with kids about you have
just start with kids about you have goodness inside of you and then I go to
goodness inside of you and then I go to
goodness inside of you and then I go to how do you show kindness in your family
how do you show kindness in your family
how do you show kindness in your family unit how do you show kindness in your
unit how do you show kindness in your
unit how do you show kindness in your school how do you show kindness in your
school how do you show kindness in your
school how do you show kindness in your community well the one class a number of
community well the one class a number of
community well the one class a number of years ago in a first grade class I
years ago in a first grade class I
years ago in a first grade class I walked in and I said Billy how do you
walked in and I said Billy how do you
walked in and I said Billy how do you why are you a superhero and he looked at
why are you a superhero and he looked at
why are you a superhero and he looked at me he goes I know superhero
me he goes I know superhero
me he goes I know superhero and I thought okay this is gonna be a
and I thought okay this is gonna be a
and I thought okay this is gonna be a tough nut to crack here and I went on
tough nut to crack here and I went on
tough nut to crack here and I went on and they said how do you show kindness
and they said how do you show kindness
and they said how do you show kindness and your family nothing so how do you
and your family nothing so how do you
and your family nothing so how do you show kindness inside your classroom
show kindness inside your classroom
show kindness inside your classroom nothing and I got to community and I
nothing and I got to community and I
nothing and I got to community and I said Billy how do you share kindness
said Billy how do you share kindness
said Billy how do you share kindness inside your community and he stood up
inside your community and he stood up
inside your community and he stood up and he looked at me right in the eye and
and he looked at me right in the eye and
and he looked at me right in the eye and he said somebody broke into my house and
he said somebody broke into my house and
he said somebody broke into my house and beat up my mom and dad and I thought
beat up my mom and dad and I thought
beat up my mom and dad and I thought that’s not the question I asked but this
that’s not the question I asked but this
that’s not the question I asked but this idea had flushed something up out of him
idea had flushed something up out of him
idea had flushed something up out of him and I thought what do I say I’m just a
and I thought what do I say I’m just a
and I thought what do I say I’m just a guy in a leotard in a classroom here and
guy in a leotard in a classroom here and
guy in a leotard in a classroom here and I knelt down I looked at him in the eye
I knelt down I looked at him in the eye
I knelt down I looked at him in the eye and I said you guard your heart little
and I said you guard your heart little
and I said you guard your heart little man you have goodness inside of you and
man you have goodness inside of you and
man you have goodness inside of you and don’t let anybody take that away and he
don’t let anybody take that away and he
don’t let anybody take that away and he broke down
broke down
broke down and he hugged me and I watched the
and he hugged me and I watched the
and he hugged me and I watched the teacher crying in the background and as
teacher crying in the background and as
teacher crying in the background and as it turned out this little guy was the
it turned out this little guy was the
it turned out this little guy was the reason why she wanted me to come into
reason why she wanted me to come into
reason why she wanted me to come into the classroom in the first place
the classroom in the first place
the classroom in the first place kindness is something good that you do
kindness is something good that you do
kindness is something good that you do out of something good that you are and
out of something good that you are and
out of something good that you are and when you know that you have goodness
when you know that you have goodness
when you know that you have goodness inside of you all it takes is for you to
inside of you all it takes is for you to
inside of you all it takes is for you to be able to go I’m gonna do something I’m
be able to go I’m gonna do something I’m
be able to go I’m gonna do something I’m gonna do one thing I’m gonna do
gonna do one thing I’m gonna do
gonna do one thing I’m gonna do something with what I have today I want
something with what I have today I want
something with what I have today I want to tell you a story of something that
to tell you a story of something that
to tell you a story of something that happened in my young adult program that
happened in my young adult program that
happened in my young adult program that I helped run just a couple days ago the
I helped run just a couple days ago the
I helped run just a couple days ago the background of this is that we do
background of this is that we do
background of this is that we do something every year called the $1 car
something every year called the $1 car
something every year called the $1 car wash in Brantford so what we do is we
wash in Brantford so what we do is we
wash in Brantford so what we do is we have a whole team of people and they
have a whole team of people and they
have a whole team of people and they stand there with a sign this is one
stand there with a sign this is one
stand there with a sign this is one dollar and we go what about a car wash
dollar and we go what about a car wash
dollar and we go what about a car wash what about a car wash she wants a one
what about a car wash she wants a one
what about a car wash she wants a one dollar car wash and we get cars to come
dollar car wash and we get cars to come
dollar car wash and we get cars to come in and when a car pulls into the carwash
in and when a car pulls into the carwash
in and when a car pulls into the carwash I lean in and I give them a loonie and I
I lean in and I give them a loonie and I
I lean in and I give them a loonie and I say here you go this is for the honor of
say here you go this is for the honor of
say here you go this is for the honor of serving you today and their brains blow
serving you today and their brains blow
serving you today and their brains blow up
up
up and then they pull it in and we do a
and then they pull it in and we do a
and then they pull it in and we do a free barbecue for them as we wash their
free barbecue for them as we wash their
free barbecue for them as we wash their car and they’re like I want the loonie I
car and they’re like I want the loonie I
car and they’re like I want the loonie I can afford a car wash I was gonna and
can afford a car wash I was gonna and
can afford a car wash I was gonna and they don’t know to do with this charge
they don’t know to do with this charge
they don’t know to do with this charge of kindness that we have forcefully
of kindness that we have forcefully
of kindness that we have forcefully given to them and often they’ll come
given to them and often they’ll come
given to them and often they’ll come back and tell the stories of well I went
back and tell the stories of well I went
back and tell the stories of well I went inside the grocery store and I bought
inside the grocery store and I bought
inside the grocery store and I bought some one up i bought some of the
some one up i bought some of the
some one up i bought some of the sandwich
sandwich
sandwich there you go I don’t have your luni
there you go I don’t have your luni
there you go I don’t have your luni anymore yeah and that was exactly the
anymore yeah and that was exactly the
anymore yeah and that was exactly the point this past weekend our young adult
point this past weekend our young adult
point this past weekend our young adult program a Laurier grad who we’ve been
program a Laurier grad who we’ve been
program a Laurier grad who we’ve been able to mentor in the idea that kindness
able to mentor in the idea that kindness
able to mentor in the idea that kindness can transform a city was leading a
can transform a city was leading a
can transform a city was leading a discussion group of some who are now
discussion group of some who are now
discussion group of some who are now current Laurier peers and she gave them
current Laurier peers and she gave them
current Laurier peers and she gave them each of Lunia so amazed to hear this
each of Lunia so amazed to hear this
each of Lunia so amazed to hear this story
story
story she came armed with loonies and she gave
she came armed with loonies and she gave
she came armed with loonies and she gave each one of the maleeni and he said this
each one of the maleeni and he said this
each one of the maleeni and he said this is your charge to go and do one kind
is your charge to go and do one kind
is your charge to go and do one kind thing to somebody this week keep it in
thing to somebody this week keep it in
thing to somebody this week keep it in your pocket think about it wait for the
your pocket think about it wait for the
your pocket think about it wait for the moment but do something with this loonie
moment but do something with this loonie
moment but do something with this loonie this week one week later she came back
this week one week later she came back
this week one week later she came back and heard stories that people had paid
and heard stories that people had paid
and heard stories that people had paid for others bus fares that they’d gone to
for others bus fares that they’d gone to
for others bus fares that they’d gone to the grocery store and bought somebody a
the grocery store and bought somebody a
the grocery store and bought somebody a snack that they paid it for it at a Tim
snack that they paid it for it at a Tim
snack that they paid it for it at a Tim Hortons coffee line and one young man
Hortons coffee line and one young man
Hortons coffee line and one young man actually kept it in his pocket as a
actually kept it in his pocket as a
actually kept it in his pocket as a weight to remind him that he’s charged
weight to remind him that he’s charged
weight to remind him that he’s charged with doing tensional acts of kindness
with doing tensional acts of kindness
with doing tensional acts of kindness that there’s sometimes there’s nothing
that there’s sometimes there’s nothing
that there’s sometimes there’s nothing random about it at all you have to plan
random about it at all you have to plan
random about it at all you have to plan to be able to do something good out of
to be able to do something good out of
to be able to do something good out of something good that you are and so my
something good that you are and so my
something good that you are and so my challenge to us all today an idea worth
challenge to us all today an idea worth
challenge to us all today an idea worth sharing it’s put a loonie in your pocket
sharing it’s put a loonie in your pocket
sharing it’s put a loonie in your pocket stick a loonie in your pocket on purpose
stick a loonie in your pocket on purpose
stick a loonie in your pocket on purpose today and remember that even one kind
today and remember that even one kind
today and remember that even one kind thing can actually change someone’s life
thing can actually change someone’s life
thing can actually change someone’s life and even more when you continually do it
and even more when you continually do it
and even more when you continually do it it can change an entire community for
it can change an entire community for
it can change an entire community for the better thank you very much
you
you [Applause]
”
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