Dear PB Readers,

There are moments in life when you have to figure out if you have the power to make a meaningful improvement to a problem or simply accept reality and make the best of it. This past weekend I had to fly to Japan to announce an international World Cup Triathlon. When I was checking in I asked the check-in-person about upgrading. Executive class was already full, I was told. "Could I get a couple of seats by myself in the cattle section?," I asked. Every seat was 100% filled to capacity. I got onto the plane and moved to my seat in the 13th row on Friday the 13th! The row ahead of me was filled with two mothers and their children. Minutes before the plane was set to take off a poor mother dragged her three young children down the aisle into ROW 13! I looked around the plane and couldn't find another empty seat. Attitude choice time! With fourteen hours of flying ahead of me, I could either make the half day flight unpleasant for myself and the tired mom or choose to accept my fate and make it a fun experience. In the next fourteen hours I got to hear my six year old seat-mate read five books (out loud), colour eight pictures, drop her crayon box in my lap four times, and act as a pillow for her when she finally did fall to sleep.

Not having my own children, the Tokyo flight was a great opportunity for me to better appreciate what my many friends and family have dealt with for years. Putting yourself into another person's shoes is an important skill. As I stood in the immigration line waiting to hand in my passport my little seat mate came up and gave me a sweet hug good-bye. I looked up at her tired mom and realized that my slight aggravation was well worth it. The next time you are in a frustrating situation I encourage you to evaluate whether you can honestly make a change to your situation or you simply need to sit back and enjoy the flight!

Welcome to our many new members. Many of you emailed last week how much you enjoyed our story about the 84.5 year old former World War II veteran who is doing a 1500km hike to raise funds for the War Amps. I got emails from Europe, America and every province in Ontario. More about our senior citizen legend later in the newsletter. I hope you continue to appreciate and value our weekly newsletter. The two things you can do to show your appreciation include signing up new friends/family and sending me contributions I can use for future newsletters. My email address is barrie@personalbest.ca and our website to sign up or review additional information is www.personalbest.ca Enjoy the newsletter and the week.

MAY 16th PB HIGHLIGHTS

* LES BROWN QUOTE ON BEING MORE
* PUSHERS AND PULLERS
* LITTLE DOUGLAS (HUMOUR)
* PB EMAIL OF THE WEEK
* A CANDLE DOESN'T LOSE ANY LIGHT BY LIGHTING ANOTHER
* COUNTRY'S BIGGEST KIDS RACE SEEKING YOUR INVOLVEMENT MAY 29TH
* JOIN BARRIE AT HIS JUNE 2ND GOLF DAY FUND RAISER & SUPPER

LES BROWN QUOTE ON BEING MORE

"You can always have more and do more, because you can always BE more!"

PUSHERS AND PULLERS

One woman tells of a time her dog disappeared. After searching diligently, she placed a "lost dog" ad in the local newspaper.

The following morning her phone rang and a weak, cracking voice began, "I'm calling about your dog." Then the caller coughed and cleared her voice a few times. She explained that she wasn't feeling well and that, in fact, she had not felt well since her husband's death three years ago. She went on to relate that her parents, too, had passed away since then and her sister was diagnosed with a fatal ailment. Even her friends, she continued, were not doing well, and she gave details of their various maladies and described the funerals of several of them.

After 30 minutes of listening, sympathizing and even trying offers of help, the dog owner steered the conversation back to the original subject. "About the dog," she began. "Oh," the caller replied, "I don't have him. I just thought I'd call to cheer you up."

Maybe her technique needed refining, but her intentions were right on. And though "cheering up" may not be exactly what we require, we certainly need encouragement -- pulling up -- at times. A heartfelt word of encouragement will quench a spirit parched by affliction as surely as a cup of cool water will refresh a dry and thirsty throat.

The need for sincere encouragement is basic among human beings. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., displays the personal effects found on President Abraham Lincoln the night he was shot. They include a small handkerchief embroidered "A. Lincoln," a pen knife, a spectacle case repaired with cotton string, a Confederate five-dollar bill, and a worn-out newspaper clipping extolling his accomplishments as president. The article begins, "Abe Lincoln is one of the greatest statesmen of all time...."

Why would one of the most highly regarded leaders of American history carry around such a document? Did he not know his own worth? The answer is found in the fact that Lincoln was not as popular during his lifetime as he became after death. His leadership was under constant fire, he was frequently an object of ridicule in the press, and bitter critics dissected his every decision. He needed something to remind himself that, though battered by the disappointments of life and scorned by those he sought to lead, there were still also others who valued his contribution. There were still those, perhaps not as vocal, who believed in him. He, too, needed encouragement.

Do you need encouragement? There are those who will rally to your side. Educator Booker T. Washington observed, "There are two ways of exerting one's strength; one is pushing down, the other is pulling up." There are people ready to pull you up when others are pushing down. We need those people in our lives; those who exert their strength by pulling us up.

I believe these people can be found everywhere. I believe that we can all become "pullers," lifting one another from dark pits of discouragement to the light of hope. And when that happens, the world will never be the same.

LITTLE DOUGLAS

Little Douglas was in his junior-school class when the teacher asked the children what their mothers and fathers did for a living. All the typical answers came up - -Fireman, policeman, teacher, salesman and physician. Dougie was being uncharacteristically quiet and so the teacher asked him specifically about his father's job. "My father is a dancer in a cabaret where he wears a big feather headdress and a skimpy leotard outfit said the six year old boy. While the children were laughing at the young boy, the teacher hurriedly set the other children back to work on some coloring, and took little Doug aside to ask him, "Is that really true about your father?" "No," said Dougie, "He is an MP, but I was too embarrassed to say that in front of the other kids!" Those of us who have endured the last few weeks of Canadian politics can probably appreciate little Douglas!

PB EMAIL OF THE WEEK

Dear Barrie. You are an angel...thank you so much for sharing the wonderful story of my father-in-law's hike to raise funds for the War Amps to your thousands of readers. I'm seeing him today and will print this for him. I know he will be very very pleased. Just a correction though the 84.5 is the code you have to put on your fax or cheque to War Amps for a donation so he gets credit in the tally for how much he raises. If anyone wants an update on where he is on his journey they can send me an e-mail and I'll try to keep everyone current. My email address is lizzie_can@yahoo.com.

A CANDLE LOSES NOTHING BY LIGHTING ANOTHER CANDLE

Some people understand life better and they call some of these people "retarded"... At the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. Then they all turned around and went back - every one of them. One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better." Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story... Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What matters in this life is helping others succeed as well, even if it means slowing down and changing our course. "A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle".

ONLY TWO WEEKS LEFT TO REGISTER FOR 5TH CALEDON KIDS OF STEEL RACE

DON'T MISS OUR MAY 29TH 5TH ANNUAL C3 KIDS OF STEEL TRIATHLON

One of my favourite days of the summer is our Kids of Steel Triathlon Day. Imagine 120 kids, who are three to six years of age, wearing water wings for 15m swim, riding a tricycle 400m and walk-jogging 100m to the finishing line. Every child receives a medal, t-shirt and hot-dog. Our 5th annual race will start the day with an adult duathlon (run/bike) and 5km running race, followed by the 3-6 year age category. The older children are next and we end the day with the adults. Short swims in a pool, flat bikes in a quiet neighborhood, and a fantastic run along a quiet country road. The day has something for everyone. Bring out your kids to try their first event. Consider participating yourself or making up a relay team. Lastly and equally importantly we need help volunteering to run the event safely. Please consider helping, participating or bringing out some local kids. More details on the C3 website at www.c3online.ca or to volunteer contact Stewart Barclay at info@c3online.ca.

HELP BARRIE HELP OTHERS

Once a year I run a non-profit golf tournament to help athletes who have world class talent and little financial resources. This year's tournament is Thursday, June 2nd at the beautiful Caledon Golf and Country Club. The afternoon 18 hole social tournament includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, draw prizes, silent auction gifts, a great post-day supper and a motivational speaker. Often this is my only 18 holes of golf for the summer. Please consider joining me in this fun, motivational, and important fund raising day. To register for the tournament, only the evening supper, or to donate some draw prizes for the day please contact Judy Riseborough at golf@c3online.ca.

TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF AT LEAST ONE PERSON THIS WEEK!