July Newsletter - A Blank Canvas & A New Phenomenon

Posted by Mindy Tulsi-Ingram on 7th Jul 2023

July Newsletter - A Blank Canvas & A New Phenomenon

A Blank Canvas

I met a young man, a picture taker, while at the resort in Greece. Thomas, a 19-year-old from Amsterdam is the photographer at the resort. His job is to capture memories of the guests of the resort. So he would walk around, get on the boat, attend tennis matches, watch from the shore, and snap photographs of individuals and families having fun and being together in whatever activity they took part in. Thomas captured perfect pictures of guests on the paddle boards, rowing, sailing, and kite surfing out in the water.

I asked him how, a young 19-year-old, ended up in Paleros, Greece, and he said that he had Googled “job in the sun” and since he was into photography, he decided this would be fun. In further conversations, Thomas revealed that he was unsure of what his next steps would be after this summer gig.

 
We discussed the idea of a blank canvas and I suggested that he could start to paint/write/draw all the things that he would like on his canvas. He loved the idea and added that he would first start with a chair in the sun!

The next time I bumped into Thomas, he excitedly shared what else he had added and how his canvas was coming along. It was beautiful to see how Thomas had turned his lens inward to paint his picture.

A New Phenomenon

Over a recent dinner conversation, the word Malaise was used to describe the current workplace environment and life. Malaise is defined as a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being; often leaving us with a lack of energy and focus.

Many people are looking to others to find out how they can get better or feel happier. Where can we find our energy, and zest for life?

Here is some guidance from Dr. Bob Rotella, a sports psychologist who coaches players to achieve excellence.

By teaching and reinforcing “attitude would always win out over ability” he puts the athletes in control of their game, or outcomes. He says that the psychology of excellence is about learning to think in the most effective and efficient way possible every day.

A golfer must learn to enjoy the process of striving to improve. He adds “that process, not the end result, enriches life” He wants the people that he works with to wake up every morning excited, because every day is another opportunity to chase their dreams. I want them to come to the end of their days with smiles on their faces, knowing that they did all they could with what they had. That’s one reason golf is a great game. It gives people that opportunity.”

William James, a prominent American psychologist of the 19th century, was asked to identify the most important finding of the first half -century of university research into the working of the mind.

His reply:

Dr. Rotella goes further to say, “If someone came to me and asked me how to be happy, I would reply that it’s simple. Just wake up every morning thinking about the wonderful things you are going to do that day. Go to sleep every night thinking about the wonderful events of the past day and the wonderful things you will do tomorrow. Anyone who does that will be happy.”

He says, “The idea is so simple that it is easy to dismiss. It is almost all a person needs to know about how to be happy.” “You will have to work at developing thoughts and habits that promote trust”.

Speaking of Golf...



  • Lowest score on the previous hole tees off first.
  • Player furthest from the hole goes first. Including on the green.
  • Mark your ball when on the green while others are putting.
  • Do not walk in-between a players, or your own, ball and the hole on the green.
  • Be quiet while others are hitting their shots.

Remember, in golf, or in anything we do, “attitude will always win over ability”.

Rotary Ride for Hearing
July 9th, 2023

Support Steve who is doing the Rotary Ride for Hearing, an annual fundraising event in support of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in British Columbia. Since its inception, they have raised over $3.6 million and have had a major impact on the lives of many children and adults who suffer from hearing loss.

This year the ride will be an approximately 102 km circular route commencing at Spanish Banks, to UBC, to Steveston (in Richmond) and back to Vancouver.

Using the link below you can support the Ride by:
- registering as a participant
- supporting a rider to help them reach their goal, or
- join or start a team to raise pledges

Steven Ingram, from Green & Green will be riding again this year and welcomes your support.

All the Best,