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Just doing it

Why do we do what we do?

Have we ever asked ourselves this question?

How would you define what it is that you do? If someone were to ask you that question, what would your answer be? Would it be related to what you do for money (ie your career, job, business)? Or would the answer be related to something you are passionate about (ie dog lover, mother)

Curious question.

Here are two answers I received yesterday to the question “Why do you do what you do?”:

@J_Lab from Twitter said: I do what I do because it seems to be the path of least resistance.

Anonymous said: “sadly, to pay off debts, pad the resume, and cause my wife won’t let me max out cards to start my own thing – ask again in 2010.”

I’m not here to judge any of these comments. I can actually relate to both of them.

So, I’ll ask all of you:

Why do YOU do what YOU do?

twitter

Earth Week

Not too long ago I became interested in what tools like Facebook, Twitter, iTunes and YouTube could do for my various activities in work, business and volunteer efforts.

This lead me to create various profiles on Google, Facebook and a host of other “social media” sites.

Finally I got myself invited to host a booth for the Toronto Green Community as a volunteer at an event known as TwestivalTO.

Which leads me to today as we enter the last few days of an event myself and a few others are spearheading. It’s called GREENtuity. More on this in a bit. But first I must tell you why.


Toronto Green Community has been home away from home for my wife for over the past 10 years or so. She started as a volunteer and is now the Director. They are an amazing grassroots-based not-for-profit organization. They have played a role in the creation of AutoShare and the wind turbine co-op many of you see near the CNE grounds.

Despite these amazing programs as well as many community-based initiatives like Lost Rivers Walks and Green Gardening, TGC seems to have never managed to create a following large enough to attact major donors, sponsorships, and even new and young memberships.

And this is where myself and the GREENtuity team come in.

GREENtuity

GREENtuity, a Tip to the Environment, works by allowing patrons of our partner stores to make a $1 (or more) donation at their time of purchase. The goals of GREENtuity is to increase the profiles of our partners during Earth Week; increase the profile of Toronto Green Community and raise $5000 for TGC’s various initiatives and programs.

Before the event was even created I had 3 objectives:
  1. Increase the profile of Toronto Green Community across Toronto.
  2. Raise $5000 for Toronto Green Community.
  3. Engage the “wired community” to become involved with Toronto Green Community.

GREENtuity, a play on the words green and gratuity, has increased the profile of TGC among our various partner stores. We have also had great support from various bloggers.

Which leads us to the $5000 goal. Can it be accomplished? Is it posibble? Impossible? Does it even matter? It does matter and I believe that we all can raise the $5000. The objective and the receipient are both worthy of our efforts.

I hope you will help.

Thank you.

Uncategorized

Opening Day

No other sport has one. Not even students have it. Corporate Canada can’t imagine ever having it either.

Opening Day.

Not even Canada’s beloved game of hockey has an Opening Day. They do have the first game of the season. Just not an Opening Day.

There’s the first day of school. But even going back to school doesn’t have offer hope. Going back to school is like going back to work on a Monday: You can feel your stomach getting tied in knots on Sunday evening.

Today is Opening Day in Toronto. Blue Jays versus the Tigers.

It may be snowing outside here in the big city but the Boys of Summer are back at their trade tonight.

Baseball is Back!

Why does baseball, still an innocent sport despite what MLB has done to itself, still evoke hope and passion? Why does baseball transcend boundaries and unite historians and 3 year olds?

Is it because everything that happens between the two white lines, stays between the two white lines? Or is it because there’s no time limit to the game? Or maybe because, in baseball, the players play until there’s a winner?

Whatever it is, my heart is a little warmer today. Even though it’s colder outside and the snow continues to fall.

Let’s play ball!

(photo courtesy of WisDoc from Flickr)
social media, twitter

Strawberry Ghetto

A few posts ago we featured a guest post on “Love” by Strawberry Ghetto resident Mehnaz. Well, today she has returned the favour.

You can read about my thoughts on social media, the Facebook vs Twitter debate and whether or not these things really matter.

Check out the Ghetto HERE.

Uncategorized

Monday, March 2nd 2009 – 7pm – 9pm


TORONTO GREEN COMMUNITY SPEAKERS SERIES

Please join us this Monday March 2nd for presentations by:

Cheryl Teelucksingh, author of Environmental Justice & Racism in Canada and Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at Ryerson University

and

Jennifer Foulds, Communications Director and Pollution Watch web project lead at Environmental Defence

The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion with:

Beenash Jaffri, co-founder of the Anti-Racist Environmental Coalition, instructor on
Anti-Racist Environmentalism, and anti-racism workshop facilitator

Damien Lee, founder of Anishinabek Gitchi Gami Environmental Programs – one of the first community-driven environmental not-for-profit organizations in an Ontario First Nation

Ben Powless, fills a variety of roles with the Indigenous Environmental Network, Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, the National Council for the Canadian Environmental Network, and the Youth Advisory Group to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

Monday, March 2nd, 2009 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Intercontinental Hotel Yorkville
220 Bloor Street West (location is wheelchair accessible)

Entrance: $5.00

For more information please contact Toronto Green Community at:

Email: togreencommunity@gmail.com or Tel: 416-781-7663

Thanks for your support and hope to see you there!

books, reading

8

He did get 8. Gold medals. In Beijing.

Yes. This is about Micheal Phelps. Well, not him but his most recent book, No Limits: The Will To Succeed.

It’s an interesting and entertaining read with alot of anecdotes focusing on 8 success principles (following the 8 Gold medal swims.).

There are alot of lessons that I gathered from this book. Most importantly, for me, was his determination and focus on preparing to win. Not just swim -but WIN. Reading about his training regimen and his lifestyle leading up to the past two Olympics made me think about my life and my pursuits.

Am I doing everything it takes to succeed? If I want to succeed to the levels I feel I deserve, am I willing to do “whatever it takes?”

Despite his recent extra-curricular activities I highly recommend this book for any young athlete or young entrepreneur.

Toronto

PodCamp Toronto 2009

I’m attending my first PodCamp this Saturday. What is PodCamp? I haven’t a clue. What I do know, is that it is a (un)conference that strives to bring together people in the spirit of community help. Think of a conference that you, as an attendee, can design. Couple that with the power of social media and people who love to help people.


I’m going as a volunteer representative for Toronto Green Community. We’re hoping to learn some stuff to help TGC go mainstream. Here are some answers to questions posted on Toronto PodCamp website:

What are your personal goals for Podcamp?

I want to learn as much as possible. Be a sponge. Meet new people. All with the focus of taking what I can to help TGC grow.

What do you want to learn?

How can TGC use social media and other socmed events to raise needed funds for project work and create raving fans!

What are you offering to share/teach others at Podcamp?

All I can share I will. I’m a little new at these type of events. What I do know is that if an event like TwestivalTO can be a success then so can a Toronto Green Community inspired “tweet” event!

Which podcamp registrants would you like to meet?

I would love to meet Chris Brogan, John Sheridan. I’d also like to re-meet Erin Bury and Sarah Prevette who headed up TwestivalTO. Oh! And Helen Overland as well!

Why? Who is your “dream interview” for your podcast? Why?

I don’t have one. How the heck do you podcast?????

What is your, “Can’t miss it” session at podcamp?

Social Media for Special Causes and Social Media for Non-Profits.

Monetize or Communitize?

Both!

Who would win in a cage match: Chris Brogan, Bob Goyetche, My Marilyn, or Scarborough Dude?

?

In time honored meme tradition– guilt a few more people into carrying on this meme.

Everyone who reads this post and is coming!!!

Uncategorized

Loving the Small Things

Today I bring to you the quirky and insightful musings from Mehnaz. I hope you enjoy!

Karim

Current Mood: contemplative

Current Song: Thinkin’ About You by Norah Jones

Loving the Small Things. A Guest Post by Mehnaz at Strawberry Ghetto

I’m not a romantic. Flowers make my eyes water and too much candy doesn’t do much good for someone who has a metabolism akin to molasses in winter. I’m too old and too allergic for stuffed animals and I don’t like the spotlight anywhere near myself (except when singing). I never liked Valentine’s Day in all its Hallmarked glory. It makes February even more depressing. And quite frankly, the economy is doing nobody any favours at the moment. This February however, I’ve forced myself to write about Love. Perhaps it will push me out my curmudgeonly February state of being. Or perhaps I need the reminder.

Last night I was reading, and I heard the sound of rain outside. I love rain, whether drizzle or torrential (I’ve conceded to being a Vancouverite…. What can I say?). Rain makes me grateful for everything. It helps to clear away things like the last remnants of a terrible snowstorm. It lets you start new. It lets everything sigh in relief. I’m always grateful for rain, and so I love it.

Today it’s sunny. Periodically. It is Vancouver after all. The air has cleared up and I’m seeing the first signs of spring. Everything is turning lovely shades of green. I went for a walk today and reveled in the crisp February air. I still need my red gloves, but it’s all worth it.

When we’re inundated with stuffed bears, cinnamon candy and the overwhelming urge to buy diamond-encrusted heart pendants (another gift that gives me a headache in my teeth from cringing), it’s easy to forget that everyday we’re surrounded by people, things and ideas we love. From a friend who recommends a song you might like, to a spouse who buys that specific kind of cereal you love, it’s everywhere. Nuts to the stuffed bears.

Whether you’re an old realist like I am or you’re someone who believes life is a box of puppies, it’s nice to remember we all love something or someone that makes each day that much more bearable. Why once a year? Love what you have everyday: Fresh laundry, a sturdy umbrella, a savings account, hair. Whatever makes you happy.

I’m not going to say something like ‘Everyday should be Valentine’s day.’ Nobody wants to hear that. I couldn’t live with that. But it should be like any other day really, where the little things matter the most.

Happy Everyday!

Toronto, twitter

TwestivalTO

Last night I experienced the potential and real power of social media. Throughout the world people gathered in their communities to socialize with a conscience. The charity of choice was charity : water.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TGkFYZKXCk&hl=en&fs=1]

How did these people mobilize? Twitter. Yeah, that cool, nerdy, yet powerful tool your brother uses and your PR manager spends hours on.

I’m not going to spend time here explaining the how and why this event worked all over the world because many people who know better than me already have. So I’ll point you to them: