seven-o-seven seven-o-seven REPORTER - CAW Local 707

It was so hard to think of a subject to write about because usually
my job deals with negative issues and concerns that are less
than pleasant to say the least. However, I did not want to write
of depressing topics. I wanted to write about happy and uplifting
stuff. This summer has been such a great one, that I’ll try to
keep things light. So I am going to put a different twist to an old
job and think of something new.
Why not discuss the idea of doing some good out there? Do
you know what I mean? Let that person get in front of you instead
of pretending you don’t see him/her; or perhaps hold open
the door for the person who doesn’t say thanks and give him/
her a polite “you’re welcome” and perhaps the next time, he/
she will pay it forward – or how about switching places with
someone from St. Thomas on September 16th, when that plant
closes its doors and you will be out of a job? Oh, oh, I just spoke
negatively. I’ll stop.
However, we do feel lucky don’t we? Who can complain of
the weather? You really don’t want to do that because we will
be in the snow and cold soon enough. It has been one perpetually
nice day after another. Following is a nice story... A woman
I know has a friend who won a huge lottery. My friend tells me
she asked the winner about donations and charities and how
she determines who and how much to donate where. Well, her
friend replied that she meets people everywhere she goes. When
her son was in the hospital, she met a young woman who was
really ill and unable to afford the necessary treatments. Guess
who is paying for her treatments; and the young woman never
even knew who her benefactor was.
We may not have won a lottery but we can feel like a winner
each day by doing something as simple as smiling at someone
or saying “hello” to the elderly person who may not be moving
fast enough for us. Try it. I have and the rewards made me smile
the rest of the day.
I know some of you are thinking, “Oh Lina! Blah, blah,
blah...” So, if it makes you sick, stop reading this article. You
are obviously one of those too far gone for any type of goodwill
or cheer. However, the rest of us do have a common goal to try
to make our space in this big world a little bit brighter. If that is
you, then cheers, my friend. You are not alone. The good outnumber
the bad. This I know.
I have another good story. A woman, whose husband and son
were at McDonald’s one day waiting to be served when she
noticed that everyone had begun to move away, including her
husband. She did not move an inch, but she turned and smelled
this horrid “dirty body” odour and found two poor men standing
behind her. As she looked down at the shorter gentleman
closer to her, she saw he was smiling. He had beautiful sky blue
eyes. “Good day!” he said as he counted his coins. The second
Page 32 – July – September 2011
Employment Equity Report
lina
By
and
Sue
rondeau
Employment
Equity
Rep
teepell
Alternate
Employment
Equity Rep
Negativity
man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. She
could tell that he was mentally challenged and that his friend
was his guardian. The girl at the counter asked them what was
wanted and he replied, “Coffee is all, miss” as this was all they
could afford and they wanted to get inside the warm restaurant.
That was when the woman felt compelled to hug the little man
with the blue eyes and she noted that everyone in the restaurant
was looking at her. She smiled and asked the young woman for
two more breakfasts on a separate tray. She then walked to the
table the men had chosen and placed the tray on the table, putting
her hands on the cold hand of the blue eyed gentleman. He
gazed at her with tears in his eyes and said, “Thank you.”
Some of you have received this story via email. I keep the
good ones and it just had to be repeated. I think one of the best
lessons to ever learn is that of unconditional acceptance. I
don’t think that needs clarification; nor am I going to attempt to
give it. It’s pretty self-explanatory. With so much that is negative
in today’s world, it is sometimes difficult to maintain a
cheerful disposition each day; but, like a friend of mine keeps
telling, his sick daughter puts everything into perspective for
him and his family, regardless of what anyone may throw his
way. Things can always be worse.
Take care everyone and be safe!
Be the change that you want to see in the world... Mohandas
‘Mahatma’ Ghandi
In Solidarity,
lina rondeau, Employment Equity Rep
Sue teepell, Alternate Employment Equity Rep