My wife is the executive director of Toronto Green Community. They have done some amazing work in just over 10 years. The windmill on the CNE grounds is just one example. In fact, they have also garnered the attention of musician Jack Johnson and his non-profit organization, All At Once.

And so, in honour of TGC, and with thanks going to storyteller, Sameer Vasta, I’d like to offer you the first 5 readers (I know. I’m stretching to think there are 5 people who read this this blog!) ONE day of carbon neutrality. If you claim this gift, Brighter Planet will donate 136 pounds of carbon offsets in your name. These offsets help fund renewable energy projects and are an important part of fighting climate change. All I ask in return is that you consider conserving where you can during the holidays.

Now that’s cool! HERE’S the GIFT!!

Pick up any newspaper, listen to news talk radio, or read the online reports and you’d think we are seconds away from reaching economic Armageddon.

Think again:

1. Gas prices are 50% lower than they were last summer.
2. You have yet to lose money in the stock market or in your mutual funds because you don’t own any.
3. The cost of to feed yourself and your family has decreased (due to the decline in fuel prices).
4. The fact that prices for commodities have been slowly creeping downwards means that your spending less and saving more (in your CIDC-protected bank account).
5. You are either out of debt or your debt load has decreased because of your decreased spending!

See!

There are probably many other reasons why you are further ahead today than you were a year ago. And maybe that’s not the point because you don’t really feel you’re better off. You know why?

You’re listening to “they”. Who are “they”? Media and those who live according to the gospel of “they”/media. (And this is not a media bashing piece.)

So, what to do?

1. Start following/listening to people who are positive. I recently spoke to a successful Realtor who was around during the last official recession. Him and his firm are keeping busy during this “slowdown”. Why? Because he chooses to be. Sounds simple? The successful people always seem to make it sound so…
2. Start making things happen for yourself. If you have a service or product to provide continue telling your story. Make friends. Develop relationships. Haven’t started? Start.
3. Watch the masses and do the opposite. You’ll be glad you did.

What are your thoughts? Are you a lemming or a initiator? Do you make things happen or wait around to react to what’s happening? Do these suggestions help you? Your comments are most welcome!

On Saturday, December 13th, His Highness the Aga Khan will be celebrating his birthday.

If you’ve been following me here, or the news, you’ve heard that he’s been doing quite a bit of celebrating these days.

In these uncertain and turbulent economic times a little reading up on the Aga Khan and his works will surely bring a smile to your face.

Happy Birthday!

I recently posted a note on my real estate blog. I think it will also be of interest to everyone. I hope you enjoy.

You can find the article HERE.

Lots.

There are lots of things you can do when business is slow.

However, there are probably things you should do when business is slow. Today, I’m going to share with you just a few things you should be doing. So, let’s get started, shall we?

1. READ. And I don’t mean the daily newspaper. It’s news that is over a day old and probably with nothing good to say anyways. Start reading books, articles, magazines, and even blogs about success, marketing, business and, of course, real estate. (If you’re reading this and you’re not in the r.e. business, then read up on stuff pertinant to your industry/profession) Why? Ideas. There may be little things these folks will suggest or present that you may not be doing right now, that maybe you should. For example, if you’re thinking about having your own blog but don’t know what to do then reading Chris Brogan would be a brilliant start.
2. GIVE. Your time, resources, and especially expertise. My friends, Tim Sanders and Sameer Vasta have recently talked about giving. Remember, what goes around comes around. Give and it shall be given unto you.
3. COMMUNITY. Or you can say, associate. Whatever term you use, it is more important now to seek the counsel of your manager, associate, mastermind group and/or mentor. Thousands of successful entrepreneurs have already survived and thrived through a recession. Find out what they did. Inquire about there thought process on what it takes to succeed in today’s marketplace. There is strength in numbers!
4. WORK. But you knew that already, didn’t you? Then why aren’t you? Continue to market yourself. Continue to make phone calls. Continue to plant seeds so that you will have something to grow and harvest. Hundreds of people are leaving your industry today. There will be less competition tomorrow. It’s up to you if you want to win.

Please don’t consider this the extent of what you should be doing. It is far from that. However, I believe that if you follow my suggestions you will have a brighter tomorrow.

To your success!

With Canada.

I mean, there are many reasons to love this vast country.

The Rocky Mountains on the west coast. The endless terrain of tundra and arctic desert. The flatlands of the Prairies. The cosmopolitan cities of Upper and Lower Canada. The rugged and raw Maritime provinces.

Blue Jays baseball! Junior hockey during the Christmas/New Year holidays. The Calgary Stampede. The Canadian National Exhibition. The Ottawa-Hull border.

The red and white Maple Leaf. Tolerance. Plurality.

Yet, today, the best thing I can think of off the top of my head is that we still live in a country that can be peaceful even when we agree to disagree. Canada is at a political crossroads. Take a look at any Canadian newspaper and you will read reports and stories of a “coalition” between the opposition parties trying to topple the current government.

(I’m not interested in which “party” is better or which one I like the most.)

I’m very interested in that there are no armies or special armed forces involved. There are just talks and discussions among political adversaries.

And I love it! Do you?

Adam Gopnik has become one of my favourite storytellers after having listened to one of his talks through The Moth podcast via iTunes. It was entitled “LOL”. It is a narrative between a father and son and the dialogue they have online via instant messaging. I hope you have a chance to listen and enjoy it.

This brings me to my second Golden Thought – Laughing.

If you’ve ever read Reader’s Digest, you know they have a section called Laughter is the Best Medicine. And according to doctors this truth is no laughing matter!

Today’s economic climate of uncertainty has put a damper on many people’s faces. From cancelled office Christmas parties to paychecks that have been cutback, there has been little for many people to smile about. And yet tomorrow, many of my American friends will celebrate U.S. Thanksgiving.

And many will smile. Why?

Good food. Good friends. Good times. It is true, especially today, to remember that we have many things to be thankful for.

Not only that, but I beleive that a heart and mind that is light, joyful, and focused on success and solutions enable both to receive thoughts and vibrations of the same. Read and study Think & Grow Rich by Napolean Hill for more on this.

So that’s my Golden Thought. Laugh. Out Loud.

Have you ever had so much in your head, that just getting them down in words is the hardest part?

I have lots of thoughts from over this past week. Everything from planning stages, event execution, experience, etc. However, I will limit my online writing to what I call Golden Thoughts.

Golden Thoughts are images and thoughts inspired by the wisdom and guidance from the man the West calls The Aga Khan. My son calls him Mowla Bapa. So do I.

Civil Society.

It always sounded a bit academic to me. Then I heard it in plain English. People helping people. That’s it! In today’s uncertain economic climate where the West struggles and the East waits to see what happens, what we all need to do is lend a helping hand.

And not just because we are in an economic storm. But because it’s the right thing to do.

Always.

(Picture from Vancouver Sun)

It was quiet yesterday. Lots of volunteers at the Direct Energy Centre and the SkyDome. Lots of people doing work. Many more just hoping to do work.

The SkyDome is looking more and more like a place of worship and reflection. Can’t imagine that ACDC is playing here in December!

There are many international visitors still to come to Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.

I’ll be at the DEC lending a helping hand this afternoon. Drop on by. We need all the help we can get.