I’ve been a part of communities all over the world including part of a global community I like to call the travel family. I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with over 100 people from about 40 different countries for in-depth interviews. I gathered different perspectives from unique people on every continent. From the fundamentals of human connection and cooperation in local communities to how humans regardless of differences can forge stronger bonds of connection and cooperation globally. Now each classroom is a little community in itself. How can I bring such a broad global perspective into a thought incubator like a school community? Through shedding light on the one thing that each and every student has with them in class every day, a human heart and how connected it really makes us all. 

The Same Human Heart

Everyone regardless of differences has a human heartbeat that naturally needs connection, feels compassion, is watered by kindness and is the central connection one has to love. Shedding light on this sameness between people breaks down the walls of division and separation, of judgement and comparison, of discontent and difference. While building feelings of connection, cooperation, openness, kindness, inclusion and acceptance. I do this through sharing stories of human connection and kindness from all over the world and what every human heart has in common regardless of differences.

The Importance of Inclusion and Connection Through Travel Family

On Christmas eve while traveling through Patagonia I was very lonely, sad and full of heartache that I was over 10,000 kilometres from my family. Not wanting to stay in the same place I chose to switch hostels and towns. I arrived at 7:00 pm after dark, lonely and on the brink of tears for having to spend Christmas alone. Upon entering the small one house hostel I was welcomed with merry warmth and 8 people setting the table for Christmas dinner. I was welcomed with open arms even though we where all strangers. They made an extra place for me at the table just in time for dinner to be served. Strangers from Europe, North America, the middle east and Australia all sat down together. Over the 4 hours we all spent together around that table my heart was filled up for weeks to come. It maybe a small act to include someone into a group but for the person being welcomed it can be an act so big it could make their entire week better.

The Biggest Mountains We Climb

Of the numerous adventures I’ve been on around the world climbing mountains have been the most challenging but the most rewarding. I climbed two mountains reaching about 6000 meters in elevation, that’s higher then any peak in North America. Several days of hiking in extremely high elevation, pushing through altitude sickness, combating -20 windchill and hiking through the night with sleep deprivation all contribute to pushing one to the outer reaches of their ability. Successfully summiting these mountain peaks took every ounce of strength and will power I had to simply take one more step, and another. Upon reaching the summit I let out tears of exhilaration because I realized this isn’t the biggest mountain I’ve ever climbed. I watched the mountains of sadness, fear, insecurity and failure crumble within me as I stood atop this very real mountain peak. I proved to myself I have the strength to be the mountaineer of my own mountains. Every student has this same strength within them as well. Through relying on my team, never giving up and taking just one more step to keep going I learned I can climb the tallest mountains no one sees, the mountains within. I am now training for my next major endurance adventure of hiking the Bruce Trail, the longest marked trail in Canada at over 900 KM long.

Rising Into Your Potential Through Committing to Goals

I committed myself to circumnavigate the globe, document human connection along the way then come back home to Canada and build a speaking foundation that reaches thousands. Now, one does not need to set such big goals to reach their potential however every goal big or small, starts with just one step along the right path. I learned to travel one country at a time even though my journey was comprised of every continent. I learned one step at a time will get you to the summit of the tallest mountains. I learned one conversation at a time can build a robust global perspective. I stayed committed to my path, took one step at a time and saw it through to completion. Now, a book can be completed by reading one page at a time. Understanding the laws of mathematics can be achieved by practicing one equation at a time. Becoming a well rounded athlete happens one practice at a time. Wether its climbing mountains or studying for a math test when you choose a good path, commit to taking a few small steps at a time and see it through to the end you are bound for success.

• PROMOTING INCLUSIVITY THROUGH THE HUMAN HEART

• REDUCTION IN BULLYING THROUGH ACTS OF KINDNESS

• COMMITMENT TO GOALS, FOCUS ON PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

• MINDFULNESS PRACTICES BASED ON REGULATION

• BUILDING COOPERATION AND COMMUNITY