Scattering Seeds of Success - Part 2

In Part 1 of this entry, I told you about my amazing friend Warren and the secrets to success that he taught me while we were in Grade 9. 

I didn't tell you much about the pairing that finished second.  They were a little like my pairing.  They had one mastermind and one along for the ride.  The mastermind was an amazing man named Doug.  He had a secret weapon, his dad.  They had the rural route which was huge but they also had a secret weapon, Doug's dad.  His dad knew most of the people living in Rural Dauphin and drive Doug and his partner all over the area.  He and his partner would have been the successful team if he had kept quiet.  But, that wasn't his nature. 

His real success came at graduation in Grade 12 but he scattered scattering seeds the first day of Grade 10.  He told everyone every day for three years that he was having the largest grad party ever at his farm.  Every other grade had several parties all over Dauphin and area.  Unfortunately, every year, someone would lose their life in an attempt to attend multiple parties.  Doug wasn't the most popular guy in school but he scattered the seed of this party so often that he started to make huge sense.  This was the last year in Dauphin before Safe Grad, but essentially, this was going to be safe Grad.  Once you got to the party, you were staying.  You could party hearty but you weren't driving under the influence. 

The week before the party, we were only worried about one thing.  There might be too much hype and could it live up to the hype three years in the making. 

Well, it simply was the most fun party ever.  When we arrived, his dad had turned his front field into a giant parking lot and he had the flags to direct cars safely to their parking spot.  We had the whole barn set up for us.  I think there was a DJ.  I think there was a bar set up.  I know there was also pathways and a creek available for quiet talks and romantic moments.  It was the best party ever.  Starting at 6 am, his mom was serving a pancake breakfast.  Most importantly, no one lost their life that night. 

After high school, I lost track of Doug until I read his obituary in the paper a few years ago.  Mourners were encouraged to wear a Hawaiian shirt to his celebration of life.  They didn't mention in the paper that it would be standing room only.  We thought we got their early enough but there wasn't a seat to be had.  The celebration was amazing and celebrated a life well lived.  Doug was an accomplished teacher and family man.  His favorite holiday destination was Hawaii.  It was obvious by the celebration that he influenced positively many lives.  His success was the amount of people who stood for hours but still wanted more.  A tragic loss for his family but a great legacy of success. 

Just be a nice guy.  Be a character.  Be your authentic self.  Scatter seeds and see what grows.  Recipe for success. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One of my saddest days in Winnipeg

Image
I felt compelled to attend an information meeting of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.  Compelled because it will be, not in my neighbourhood, but in my City Ward.  Compelled after reading Bruce's story and his family's wish to make this recovery centre his legacy.  Compelled because of the opposition to this centre.  I wanted my voice to be a positive one. Since the land has already been rezoned, the BORC is going to happen and the meeting was to update the community on progress and get input on a few minor details.   I didn't realize that it would be one of the saddest days I have experienced in Winnipeg.   When I arrived, I experienced the "white people". They were people dressed in white who were there to oppose the Centre.  In order to get in to the community centre, I had to pass two "white people" who were at the door with placards in opposition.  It was intimidating.  They didn't deter anyone from entering but th...
Read more

There's Something from Jenny - Part 2

Image
I am trying to evolve as a blogger.  One of my friends told me that I needed to start adding my pictures to my blog so that people would know who they are communicating with.  So, good, bad, or ugly, I am adding my picture as much as I can.  It makes me feel vulnerable.  Not as vulnerable as I would feel if I was running for Mayor of a major Canadian city. I can't imagine how vulnerable I would feel, having every move and every word analyzed and taken out of context.  Perspective always defines your reality.  For example, I could tell you that I witnessed a murder by the Superstore last week.  That might bring up some powerful images in your mind.  Then, there would be those who know that a group of crows is called a murder.  That gives my previous statement have a whole different image in your mind.  So, when I spent an hour with Jenny Motkaluk that was my biggest impression.  She doesn't mind being vulnerable.  She just w...
Read more

Seriously? Opposition to BORC opening at old Vimy Arena Site

Image
I decided to go for a walk today.  It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  My quest was to understand the home owner's opposition to having the closed arena site being converted to a much needed addiction treatment facility.  I took some pictures on my phone and want to explain what I found out.  The first picture was taken while I was standing on the immense green space at the back of the old Vimy Arena.  You can see in the background what is the closest residential development.  It is a town house complex.  In order for someone who was participating in treatment at BORC to interact with someone living in the complex, they would have to walk and then cross a creek, and then get through the trees.  I would think the residents living in that complex would be more worried about the drainage pipe that leads on the creek.  I would be concerned about a wandering child being trapped in there.  The second pic...
Read more