Some Amazing Kids
Hi Team. Last night (I’m writing this Thursday night) I had the privilege of talking to one hundred and thirty five kids who had personally endured the horror of the Victorian bushfires earlier this year and bravely come out the other side. I ventured down to Portsea (coastal Victoria) on behalf of an organisation called Bridge Builders who run some amazing programs and do brilliant work with young people; encouraging, supporting, educating and directing them towards their best lives.
To say that the kids I spoke to were inspirational would be a massive understatement. Despite the fact that they have lost family, friends, animals, possessions and of course, their homes, they are all consciously finding a way to ask the right questions, live with passion, be courageous, support each other, dream their dreams and get on with their lives. I’m sure I got more from last night’s experience than they did, and I’m certain they inspired me more than I did them.
Thanks kids.
What We Find
It’s funny where and when we find inspiration, gratitude, insight and perspective. Last night I found it in a freezing old hall full of teenagers at a campsite on the Mornington Peninsula here in Victoria. The other very sad part to this story is that I was contacted late last Saturday night to ask if I would step in to replace another speaker who had been booked to speak to the kids. That speaker was tragically killed on Saturday in a car accident, so it was with much humility and gratitude that I took the opportunity to speak to the group.
Unconditional Giving
It’s a core belief of mine that one of the most effective means of making my life better – that is, more fulfilling, more balanced, calmer, of greater service to others and generally a happier place to be – is by being less me-focused (some might say less selfish) and regularly, graciously and passionately investing into the lives of others without agenda, expectation or catch. I always encourage the people who I mentor to get involved in a project, organisation or cause bigger than themselves and today I have decided to encourage you to do the same. This doesn’t mean becoming a slave or a doormat to any person or thing, it simply means finding a way to practically live out your core values of generosity, kindness, integrity and love. And to get out of your own way for a while. It can be a time when we focus on doing good, as opposed to getting good. And of course in the doing, the getting takes care of itself anyway.
Someone Else’s Shoes
While it’s great to consciously work on our own stuff, there also comes a time when it’s actually healthier and more productive for us to step away from it for a while and to invest some time, care and energy into the lives of others; to see the world through the eyes of another and to walk in someone else’s shoes for a while. The cool thing is that more often than not, when I return to my stuff, it isn’t nearly as bad as it was the day before. That’s usually because it wasn’t the problem, I was.
Enjoy your weekend Grasshoppers and do your best to make compassion, generosity, empathy and kindness practical realities – not hypothetical possibilities – in your world.
Don’t wait for a cosmic sign, a written invitation or perfect timing; be the change. 
xx
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Kids are amazing. The human spirit is amazing. Life is precious. Don’t waste yours.
** a project, organisation or cause bigger than you **
Can we use this as a springboard to come up with some ideas for people (like me) who want to get involved in something?
I’ve thought about being a camp counsellor for Camp Quality – kids with cancer. I guess I should stop thinking and get on the phone.
Hi Craig,
I’m so glad that you were able to spend time with young people. Teenagers get such bad press but generally they’re pretty wonderful.
Recently, we had a group of Vietnam Vets visit our school to recount some of their experiences during the war. When one of the vets became a little upset during his talk, the compassion shown by 120 Year Ten girls was just heart-warming. They were respectful but there was barely a dry eye in the hall. I was so proud of my gorgeous girls.
So many people around us cope with tragedy bravely and silently. On Wednesday, a dear friend of mine is going to have a double mastectomy because she has been diagnosed with a faulty gene which makes it almost certain that she will develop cancer. She has chosen such a drastic step so she will be around to see her three children grow up. She is 39. Her courage and matter-of-fact approach to the surgery are quite incredible. It makes my ‘problems’ seem so transitory, superficial and self-indulgent. Actually, I really have no problems.
Over the years I’ve learnt that one doesn’t have to make big gestures or big commitments to make a difference. We can’t all trek off to dig wells in Ghana but we can extend our love and care in small ways that might just help someone who is struggling. It just takes a little bit of time. And a little courage.
Sorry. I think my comment is longer than your post (again).
Lots of hugs,
Christina xxx
Thank you, Craig, for this bit of humility. I needed to be reminded, again, that humility goes a long way and that I am the one who gets in the way.
Your gift of thinking and doing outside the box is awesome. I have used your thoughts many times, but the drama farmers was, for me, so poignant. We used it here at work and I will use today’s thoughts here at work as well. Blessings, phlashh
The cool thing is that more often than not, when I return to my stuff, it isn’t nearly as bad as it was the day before
Yes, perspective is always a gift after the event and once again you have a timing nack with your posts, because I have been contacting organisations to do voluntary work, perhaps for a bit more selfish reasons ie my skills are dormant and I am at uni for 4 months so want to keep up the practical work, but then again if it benefits someone so be it.
Have a good one look foreward to more blogging next week Craig.
I’m sorry to hear about the speaker you replaced, more tragedy and sadness on top of that bushfire loss is horrible. You are brave going in there to support them when no doubt some of them were hit again with another sad thing. Maybe one day we will know why such things happen, but again to help others as you have is pretty wonderful Craig.
Thanks Craig, those kids sound amazing – so resiliant and inspirational.
Your suggestion of getting involved in a project, organisation or cause is just what I needed. I work on my “own stuff” and sometimes it gets tedious! plus my life is so full of just going to work each day and not much else.
So a change in focus will be just the change in pathway for me, with an emphasis on others and not my own little world!
I’m off on holiday tomorrow, so not sure how I’ll cope with a month of being Craig Harper.less – I’ll have to frequent internet cafes!!
Craig this is a long shot…. but I just want to ask if the person who was meant to speak to the kids was Allan Taylor from the Sunshine Coast. He was the school chaplain at my son’s school and the kids up here were devastated when he and his wife were killed last week.
It may or may not have been him, just thought I’d ask as talking to those kids would have been right up his alley. His death also has enabled the people in our small community to stop and reflect on what it means to touch other peoples lives with kindness.
Cheers
Nicole
Hi Guys – thanks for saying hi.
Nicole, I actually don’t know the answer to your question. I was asked to step in following the tragedy in a two minute phone call last weekend and the name of the speaker wasn’t mentioned to me. Such a tragedy.
Mr H – My daughter was one of the kids you spoke to at the BridgeBuilders camp. I knew she was talking about you when she talked about ‘this motivational dude with huge guns’. (I never knew u could flex your chest like that! haha you should have heard her description!) I coulda cried when she started to talk about what you said and all my favourite Mr H sayings came out of her mouth. You certainly made an impact on her. Thanks for taking the time and I am so pleased she got to experience you first hand. They are all AMAZING kids and have come thru Black Saturday as strong young adults – they make us all very proud.
Fed up with your life and it’s frustrations and stress? Try volunteering as a LifeLine Telephone Counsellor. Once you’ve done the 16 week course (Tuesday nights 6.15-9pm in my area anyway) you only have to commit to a 4 hour shift once a fortnight for 12 months. It has completely changed my life. The problems I thought I had I am now grateful they aren’t worse! The attitude of gratitude sounds corny but once you put on those ‘glasses’ to look at the world through all the pain is offset by perspective. Thanks Craig- once again the perfect post for where I’m at!
Awesome work Craig, great to see someone who is genuine as few are!
Absolutely agree be the change no matter what it takes, how much it hurts.. and again you are so timley..
Yesterday I had an horrific day at work (SELFISH ME) anyway my problems probably are as bad as I think (in my head) but I cant afford to think… my boss said Kate take it easy and what are you doing tonight..
I said I am going to the gym to train a girl and she said oh cancel that … And all I though was if I even think about my problems I wont go on… just breathe and and take action..Anyway had an awesome workout .. this chick is so funny and NOW loves exccersing YAY!
Afterwards I caught up with some people and unfortunately this guy I know was there with his three year old son … whose mother who was clean has just gone and used and is now in a mental institution.. This poor boy was just grabbing me so wanting affection from a women ‘motherly figure’ (ok Im not really motherly but I am female) he just sat on my lap the entire time, hugging me and his bottle… GOD help us.. I thought what the hell is going to happen to this kid… all I felt was saddness…. I supose there is no solution.. just to bring people to the now faster and stronger!
So wish I had your abilities Craig!
Craig,
I love you for remindng me…. WOW! how ‘caught up’ in ME I am at the moment;
I am ever so grateful……. ..
Have a lovely weekend
Karen xx
Craig,
Thank you for reminder and for being such an inspirational role model ( in many ways).
Also just wanted to say thank you for my copy of Fatitude that arrived today. Love it.
Very grateful for all,
Mon
Back in July, I experienced a turning point in my life, and I made a decision to take on something that will make a difference in the world. I’m going to row 100km on an indoor rowing machine as fast as I can in one day – and raise $40,000 to build a school in Mozambique.
Here is the blog I started: http://www.igo100.blogspot.com and am working on a corresponding website. I figure training for this will take a few months, so I’m aiming for next spring to do it. Anyone wanna join me in this venture?
Michelle
Jesus good luck Michelle, wish you all the best that you attain this goal.
Thanks Michael! It’s gonna be a real challenge, but for some strange reason it feels so right. It’s like the universe is saying yes. I’m not even gonna try to understand…