Dear PB Readers,

"Uncle Barrie that was one of my most favourite Saturdays," said my ten year old god-child. On an average Saturday most weekends of the year I could be in any given city around the globe running a clinic, presenting at a conference or working on our international triathlon show. As exciting and rewarding as those many projects truly are, my favourite Saturday in 2005 was spent with my wife and god-child. With a scarcity of free weekends to get back to my hometown of Harrow, Ontario, my wife and I decided to put the many other pressing calls for our time aside and go visit family. While Caron and I try our best to positively influence our god-child through magazine subscriptions, swim lessons, paid race entries to Kids of Steel Races and my weekly long-distance call, there is nothing quite like a Saturday at the movies together. For two glorious hours we sat in the half-filled theatre watching "YOURS MINE & OURS" a great kid's movie about a navy captain widower with 8 kids who falls in love with his old high school girlfriend whose husband has died leaving her with 10 kids of her own. Put the two families together through marriage. Add in a pig and a house keeper and you have a much newer version of the Brady Bunch. It's been years since I have been to Saturday afternoon matinee movie. On the way to the theatre I reflected on the few special movie trips I had in my childhood and how clearly I still remember those days and more importantly the warm feelings I still felt for the person who took the time to be with me. In our busy lives we often get caught up in accomplishing the most financially or socially rewarding projects and sometimes neglect the most important ones. While I can still vividly remember my supper this past September at the Great Wall of China and watching the sun rise over the Waikiki beach in Hawaii at the World Age Group Championships, my favourite Saturday of 2005 consisted of a box of popcorn and a half-filled theatre with a 10 ten year old who enjoyed our time together. I hope she will look back in 20 years as fondly of our day together that I still do from my childhood matinee trips.

Several years ago when my mother was in her last months of her battle with cancer, I remember walking with her and her dog through a beautiful little park that was just coming alive with spring's warmth. "Promise me you won't just walk past beautiful flowers, trees and mountains without taking a second to appreciate them" my mom mentored. It's easy for many of us to be so busy in our drive to work or our rush to drop off kids at school that we don't take just 30 seconds to say, "Wow". I challenge you this week to have a few "wow" moments. It may be catching up with a special old friend or simply pulling your car over to take a much closer look at that beautiful park or statue you have been blasting past.

Welcome to our many new members in this our 268th consecutive PB Weekly Newsletter. I have always believed that to get a bigger gas tank we need to give away some of the gas we already have. To get a new and even deeper energy source we need to share some of what we have with others. Some of the saddest, most depressed people I know are those who conserve their energy and completely save it for themselves. They never help or support anyone else's projects or dreams. I received countless emails from people who were inspired last week by marathon swimmer Vicki Keith's incredible "journey of giving" and want to go out and give away some of their new found energy to other needy projects. While she could have been making big dollars for herself using her incredible drive and focus, she was putting in thousands of volunteer hours raising funds for children who are in need of a "hand-up". Vicki sent me this email earlier this past week:

"Hi Barrie, Thank you for your kind words and recount of my presentation in last week's newsletter. It was an honour for me to be invited to your club's C3 Awards Night. C3 is an exceptional group of athletes, and I enjoyed meeting and having an opportunity to speak to them. There was a definite positive feeling, flowing from the athletes that helped me see what an amazing job your group are doing. I was especially touched by the support that many of your members offered towards my Million Dollar Marathon Goal to support opportunities for children with physical disabilities. Never could I have imagined that out of one group, so much caring could be offered. I know I will reach my goal thanks to you, and your amazing ability to inspire and encourage. Your club Chairman Gary Hutchinson was kind enough to take it upon himself to push me over the top. I may have been at your awards night to tell my story, and inspire your group, but they in turn inspired me. Thanks, Vicki Keith.

One of the goals of the Awards Supper on the Saturday evening was to raise needy funds for C3 projects. As important as that goal was (and still is), our organization fully believes in the "give energy away" theory. Right now Vicki's incredible giving to the entire country's handicap kids needs to be rewarded by helping her get the last few thousands dollars to reach her million dollar mark. While it would have been easy for our group to selfishly worry only about our "internal need" upon reflection we chose to give to a bigger need. As an example my family has chosen this year, rather then giving each other Christmas gifts, we are donating those dollars to help Vicki Keith get the last few thousands dollars she needs for her goal (see great shots of Vicki and her athletes on the picture icon of her website at www.perguinscanfly.ca ) I have no doubt that my athletes have benefited in the past (and will again in the future) because of the unconditional kindness of my coaching staff and club members. If you would like to make a small donation to help Vicki over the top please email C3 Chairman Gary Hutchinson directly and he will help facilitate your generosity. If you can, I would ask that you make your donation this week to finish off this project. Thanks to the many numerous people who have already made kind donations (Gary's email is gary@c3online.ca). Think of two new friends or family members who could use our free weekly newsletter and have them email barrie@personalbest.ca to be put on our distribution list.

NOV 28th PB HIGHLIGHTS

* LLOYD JAMES QUOTE ON TRYING
* TAKE 20 SECONDS TO LOOK DEEPER AT A SITUATION
* DON'T MISS DEC 3RD ROBERT TAYLOR RUNNING AND VIDEO ANALYSIS CLINIC
* FRIDAY DEC 2ND C3 / CAO FRIDAY NIGHT SPEAKER SERIES STARTS THIS WEEK
* PB EMAIL OF THE WEEK
* SANTA IS LOOKING FOR SOME SPEEDO-WEARING RUNNERS!

LLOYD JAMES QUOTE ON TRYING

"The people who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed."

TAKE 20 SECONDS TO LOOK DEEPER AT A SITUATION AND ASK "WHY?"

(reprinted from an earlier newsletter)

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken." Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class." By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to."

After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets". A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

A decade later she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life. Four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD. Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.

You can never know how many Teddy's are in need of your attention. Whether you are a paddling coach, teacher, local pastor or member of the Big-Brothers / Big Sisters I can assure you that your random of act of kindness will find a needy home!

DON'T MISS DEC 3RD ROBERT TAYLOR RUNNING AND VIDEO ANALYSIS CLINIC

If you or any of your family are runners who keep getting injured you can't miss Robert Taylor's Running Injury and Biomechanics Seminar. You will be video taped and taken through an incredible 2.5hr session on specific exercises that are guaranteed to reduce your injuries and improve your running speed and fitness. Join Barrie Shepley and the host C3 club for either the morning or afternoon session. Limited spots so reserved immediately. Details at www.c3online.ca

C3 / COA FRIDAY NIGHT SPEAKER SERIES

Friday Dec 2nd. Join Dr. Digby Sale one of the World's Leaders in Muscle Physiology. Dr Sale has over 200 publications on muscle, training and performance. Details on the Friday evening 7-8:30pm talk are on the C3 website www.c3online.ca

PB EMAIL OF THE WEEK

Hi Barrie! Just finishing up reading your newsletter again. Another year, another great awards/speakers night with Vicki Keith. Of all the places I've been to and things I've experienced, these speaker presentations are truly at the top of the list. Always motivating and inspirational, and you walk out of the place feeling like there's new found energy and desire inside you. At least I certainly felt that way. I fully intend on being at Robert Taylor's Running Clinic on Dec 3rd. Thanks for continuing to provide so many ways to stay healthy mentally and physically. See you on Dec 3rd. P.B.

SANTA'S LOOKING FOR WARM-BLOODED RUNNERS DEC 10TH

Matt Freeman writes: Barrie, every year around the holiday season I like to conduct a little charity event for kids. Some years it has gone over quite well; sometimes it's met with a less-than-enthusiastic response by those around me (the "head shaving for charity" incident a few years back comes to mind). In a move that will no doubt fall into the latter category, I'd like to announce the 1st annual Toronto Santa Speedo Run. On December 10th, 2005 , we're going to give Yorkville a very different kind of fashion show. This is a fun run with the only objective being to raise as much money as possible for SickKids while making complete and utter spectacles of ourselves. Since idiocy loves company, I'd love to have you and your readers join us. The idea is to do a brief (pun intended) run through Yorkville, in nothing but Speedo bathing suits, our sneakers, and festive accessories (Santa hats, strategically placed tree ornaments, etc.) The course will be short (less than 3km), and it's not a race. If you don't feel like running, but can lend a few hours in the afternoon to volunteer, that'd be gratefully appreciated as well. For more details, go to www.torontosantaspeedorun.com.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER PERSON.