Tell Us
We want to hear about the thinkGood. things our readers have experienced and/or are doing. If you have witnessed a thinkGood. act please share your story with us!
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- Oh, we set our dreams to carry us. A life worth fighting for. Disparate Youth.
- Don’t look ahead, there’s stormy weather Another roadblock in our way But if we go, we go together Our hands are tied here if we stay
- Disparate Youth - Santigold http://t.co/8yl2XWOU
- dis·pa·rate/ˈdispərit/ - Essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
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I recently stopped eating meat that isn’t of the organic, free range variety. Now, like many other 20 somethings, I still live at home. In my family, our meals are prepared by my fabulous mother. I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to my mom for incorporating my food restrictions into her cooking and an even bigger THANK YOU to my dad for going all the way out to Whole Foods to buy me some free range chickens! Without supportive parents, trying to be a responsible foodie would be so much harder! Thank GOODness I have thinkGood. parents
As life seems to being spinning at a million miles per hour, the days get shorter and I have lost sight of what it means to relax and take a breather, we all knew April 30 was approaching and so was the deadline to file my taxes. I have become so overly commited to way too many things in my life, that it is so easy to not accomplish everything on that never ending “to do” list I wake up every morning with. My brother being the superstar that he is, took it upon himself to not only file my taxes, but my mom’s and sister’s too. Anyone who knows him knows he isn’t much for words, but he always manages to to keep me in order whenever I feel like sinking. I never have to ask he’s like my magic genie….it just gets done!
Last week, walking to work at 8am through the ridiculous wind I was super, super cold. There’s a post office right across from where I work and there was the man with a bin filled with mail. A gust of wind blasted him and his mail went EVERYWHERE! I’ll admit I hesitated for half a second or so – it was super cold – and then ran like a maniac after all this man’s mail. Another woman and man who saw rushed after all the mail that was blowing all over the street.
It felt good to know that bystanders are can do more than just stand by. Strangers do come together in the strangest of circumstances and together – we helped people across the GTA get their mail, I think of as an act of kindness. Helping strangers feels foreign but good. It definitely digs into an innate part of being human. The unfamiliarity probably stems from stepping outside of our bubble into the rest of humanity.
To stay on the thinkGood track regarding parents and family. I would like to thank my wonderful mom and sisters for being by my side when I need them. It has been a busy few weeks at work and with that, I require to work late hours, to be able to do that I’m so lucky to have thinkgood people in my life like my mom and sisters. They are there every time I need them to watch my munchkin so I can work those extra or late hours, or even when I need an hour or two to play volleyball lol. Anyhow, it feels good to have them in my life!!
Well mine is a little different, but I found it to be quite thoughtful! Although certain acts might seem small and minor to those on the giving side, you never know what it can mean to the person receiving it. A few weeks ago, I had to take my parents to good old, construction-filled downtown Toronto for a specialist appointment at the hospital and boy was parking a drag! We drove and turned and went up and down streets where there were already people there waiting before us to park…so eventually we made our way back to the street of the hospital entrance before we end up late and I was to continue driving around and searching. To our luck, a lady coming out saw that we had been searching and flagged us down to take her parking spot which in turn was also free (an added bonus) and others that had been there before us ended up coming back through the streets STILL searching. In addition, our appointment went late which would have cost even more if we paid for parking. Something small, on a hot, frustrating day of construction and driving endlessly was easily saved by a mid-aged woman with a cane and a thinkGood mind frame!
My niece who is like sunshine in a bottle, was quietly eating a box of raisins. She turned to me and offered to feed me one. I don’t like raisins but somehow that raisin tasted oh so good. If a two year old can understand the concept of caring and sharing I wonder why we lose these values as we get older. She always makes my heart smile!
My friend, who is due for surgery on Thursday and is having trouble her hands, came out and helped me set up a duvet cover and pillows at the Society of Ontario Nut Growers Annual Spring Fundraising Auction on Sunday at the Edward Gardens on Lawrence and Leslie. It was a joy to have her at my side to support me even when she was not feeling 100%.
My story is not about just one person, but a group of people. A friend of mine treated me to a birthday lunch last week. We went to a brilliant sushi restaurant where we encountered a great group of staff. When the server brought us the bill, my friend said he would take care of it as my birthday treat. Little did I know that the waitress overheard our conversation, and then brought out a birthday dessert (deep fried ice cream!) complete with a candle and a group of happy, singing staff. I really think they enjoyed my birthday more than I did! I was even more surprised that as we left the restaurant about 6 more people stopped me to wish me a happy birthday. People are so nice to each other on birthdays – if only they could be so nice every day!
My thinkGood. moment happened a few weeks ago when I was on my way to work. I usually park at this mall near the subway station whenever I go downtown because I am afraid of the pricey parking fees in Toronto, so instead of driving downtown, I take the subway. But this particular day was different.
I wore my thinkGood. t-shirt to work that day and didn’t wear a jacket because I wanted to promote the slogan a little bit. You know? See how many stares I get.
But as I approached the TTC booth to pay for the trip downtown I noticed the TTC operator reading my shirt. I pulled out a 20 dollar bill to get change and as he was getting the change for me he asked me “how would I like the change?” I told him “one 10, one 5, and the rest in change please.” He handed me back one 10 dollar bill, and two 5’s. Then he said “I’m just trying to thinkGood. Have a great day!” And he let me through. 
I never experienced a moment like that before, and it did make my day brighter, with no help from the sun!
It was really nice to see that people can be nice even if they don’t know you. Good. karma will surely follow that operator and I thank him for his Good. deed. 
My Thinkgood moment was meeting tha thinkgood team & that has changed my real life 4 tha good trusssst, Am from tha Real streetz so i dont got no tear drop stories 4 u but believe me when i say “I co-sign any thingz these beautiful yng ladies do”
We Da Bess out here!
Sometimes reflection is necessary in life and I feel I am at that point of deep reflection. My thinkGood moment isnt so much of a moment but more of a realization that I have made in life. This realization comes from my own life and observing the actions of others. About a year ago after suffering a great loss my cousins and I went to a hot yoga class for some much needed relaxation. I will never forget that class and the instructors wise words. She spoke of the ability for individuals to come into a class and to do yoga and to feel that sense of release, relaxation and zen. After her words of the beautiful feelings that yoga can bring into our lives she then flipped it on us and told us stories of everyday situations in which we as people engage in negativity. She then asked us to consider “taking the yoga off the mat”…..that phrase has stuck with me to this day. I think the most difficult thing in life is the ability to rise above negative situations within the moment. Its easy to stay and be positive in most situations but I feel that the hardest thing in life is being able to walk and talk with that thinkGood mentality in moments of anger, frustration and overall disapproval. So my thinkGood moment of realization involves me being officially on a fast from negativity. Try and thinkGood, all day everyday, even when you feel you are being attacked by cupcake crushers, lol! Thanks thinkGood for a venue for all of us do-gooders, we are the change Gandhi spoke of and we are the WORLD. Peace love and cupcakes <3
Anyone who knows me, knows that I get sick very easily. Well today was one of those sick days! Running a little late this morning bc of my lack of being able to breathe last night, so no sleep for Tan, I wasn’t able to stop for that necessary tea from Timmy’s that I needed. Jules being the superstar that she is came to the rescue with my tea and a bagel, right to order and delivered to my desk! What a SUPERSTAR! Thanks a million as always!
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/national/west/view.bg?articleid=1251436&format=&page=2&listingType=natwest#articleFull
In appreciation for mother’s all across the world; my thinkGood. moment was just the other night. I came home from a “not-so-happy” day, comprised of a migraine, being locked in the Founders parking lot at York by the police, and the stress of everyday life. My mom and I haven’t been on the greatest terms, due to me growing up and a lack of understanding of perspectives on both parts. She decided to clear the air and speak to me as I got home; I had not spoken to her for a few days now, and had no intention of taking the initiative myself. She slipped into my room and because I suffer from migraines, truthfully did not want to hear anything that anyone had to say; at this point the room was spinning and any sound, or light was about to send me off the edge of pain. She continued to express how she felt, and tried to get my input as much as possible; she used personal experiences from her past to show why she feels the way she does, and I appreciated that to the greatest tee. Although our view points will never be eye level because of our own personal experiences, and because she at the end of the day is my mom, I know no matter how angry she is at me, or I at her, she’s still “got my back.” So as we started to understand one another more, the room started to spin more, the sound of her voice was like a jack hammer against my brain, I started to feel even more nauseated than before, and although we were still not 100% she saw I was in pain, and she grabbed me a gravol. She brought it, asked if I was ok, and left me to puke my brains out…but because she suffers from migraines as well, she said she understands my pain, and helped me relax and try to fall asleep. Moral of the story is, even when I’m puking, even when we want to scratch one another’s eyes out, and even when we realize that we will never see eye-to-eye, it is the reality that at the end of the day,she is my mumsy. thanks ma!
Here, I have another one for ya! So usually my significant other is more of the giver than I am. If we are downtown he tends to hand out any spare change he has, more often than I do. One night we went to one of our friend’s places downtown, he had about two beers, and I had none. I was tired and had a headache and did not feel like driving, so I made him drive. It was freezing outside, and not a happy place to be if you did not own a car, or were not in a warm and toasty, heat infested place. As we drove, we found there was a lot of traffic to make a left turn, and there was a underpriveleged man who was walking up to each car. He knocked on our window, and truthfully neither of us had the intention of giving him change. But I looked at him and felt bad, AJ decided to search his pockets and he came up empty, I managed to find a loonie. I gave it to AJ to give it to the gentleman through the window; and he smiled so graciously, said thank you, and also warned us that there was RIDE up the street. Now, considering AJ had two beers, he was not nearly anywhere intoxicated, but because he is a young man, they would have probably given him a hard time; so we switched seats. If we had not given him the loonie and helped him, he would not have told us there was RIDE and I would not have been safely in my warm, comfy bed a half hour later.
I just wanted to give a big thanks to our thinkGood. friend Mr. Edward Garcia. He has time and time again out of the goodness of his heart lent our team much need photography equipment, taken many of our pictures for us, and whenever he we need him he is always there. A big thinkGood. thank you goes out to Mr. Garcia!
Another huge thinkGood. thank you goes out to Monique who without her we would not have a website at all. Thank you for being patient and volunteering your time to help put our blog together. You are truly awesome and we are forever grateful for all you do for thinkGood! XO
I had a think good moment yesterday since I have been going to the gym for the past two weeks and a half with my friends and my mother. My mother has been motivating me about the way i eat and exercising. I always wanted to do it but never had that edge because I was always sick and not taking care of my personal health. But now looking at my mom she has been my inspiration and role model ans shows me that if she can do it so can I. Because of this i have lost 4 pound in two weeks. Yeah for me! Let’s keep our heads up ad stay positive!
Please have a look at our videos that we entered in the “Change the View” contest.
(2 min); http://www.youtube.com/user/changetheview2010#p/u/1/0c-LWcC0tGo
Animated (45 sec); http://www.youtube.com/user/changetheview2010#p/u/7/bsF_gqyT-Tw
People just need to be good to each other. Thanks for your website.
First I wanna say Happy Birthday to the best do gooder in world!!!! I would like to talk about how this amazing do gooder with two other fabulous do gooders started this great site advocating for all things good!! Thanks to this great women more ppl r more aware of their conscious decisions n r doin better things, being more considerate of others n friendly!! So I wanna thank u think.good team especially young n beautiful ms khan for her efforts to make this world a better place!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday sweetie!!!!!!!!
A big thinkood. thank you to everyone who made my birthday the best birthday a girl could ask for. From the endless laughter at O.noir, to my birthday party at Elmbank with the kids, to the socially repsonsible gifts from my thinkGood. team, italian food at the best restaurant I’ve been to,my fortune cookie, my edible arrangement, Dinner at Alice Fazoolis, the list could go on….a special thank you to one of my youth at the centre Ray Ray who showed up at work in the rain with the a card and faux flowers, his kind words were the best of the day…. you all made my heart smile! Live love and laugh your way to heaven!
XOXOXOX
Tan
I will like to give a Big thinkGood thanks to Naia, a co-op student working at the centre. She went out of her way to get the word around to the student of West Humber C.I. about SO FRESH 2010 (A Rexdale Performing Arts Showcase) which will be on Saturday June 26th 2010 at Elmbank Community Centre from 2pm to 8pm. Naia your generosity goes a long way and will forever be in my heart.
Thank you.
Sooooo for the many people that know me, know I have been driving for a few years now. However, in these few years I have lacked the confidence and skill (lol) to reverse park [yes fellow readers, laugh as loud as you like I think it's quite funny as well]. Anyways, I have not been able to reverse park for a while now, and with the loving and caring help of Julllliiiiiiiiii I am now able to reverse park! I walked with her across the street to get some choco-milk (mmmm), and in exchange, because she’s awesome, she helped me reverse park my car into the ’staff’ parking where I feel my vehicle would be most safe as I leave in the evenings! So huge thanks to Juli I appreciate it mucho mucho!
I’d also like to thank each and every individual out there, who has been in a negative situation, and has had the courage, strength, love and ability to always forgive and move forward. In life we are all placed in positions where decisions are difficult to make; they could be minor decisions of making someone smile, or huge decisions that are life changing. Sometimes we put people down unknowingly, and I thank those who have been able to bring others up, and have raised awareness in helping people feel good about themselves, the decisions they’ve made (even if they aren’t the greatest), and the future choices and decisions to be made. All those who work with youth, children, and individuals in a negative place in life, truly have made impacts on such individuals as myself. Thanks to all!! xo
Today I witnessed a thinkGood. act that I believe is worth sharing.
My friend was driving me back to my car after a quick errand we ran together at the mall and while making a right turn at a 3-way stop, we couldn’t help but notice a cute little boy who was no more than 2 years old approaching the intersection.
The problem was, he was alone.
No parent was in sight, not even a person was around. There were only cars. My friend that was driving somehow made eye contact with the child approaching the intersection, and as he was looking at her, he waved innocently stepping onto the road and moved slowly towards our car.
My friend slammed on the brakes, flung open her door, and ran into the middle of the road to pick up the child and bring him to safety.
Watching my friend as she put her own concerns last and brought that child to safety really made me smile. I’m sure anyone would react the same way she did, but to actually witness this situation and her instant reaction to the incident was heart-warming.
Anything could have happened to that child if she didn’t react the way that she did, and because she made the choice to step out of her vehicle and save that child’s life makes her a hero.
So i want to say thank you. And i’m sure that childs’ parents would thank you too.
HOWEVER on a side note: parents should be minding their children at all times…if you can’t commit to properly taking care of a child and providing security and protection to them, DON’T HAVE KIDS! Simple.
Today i spent the entire day reading books to the elderly!!! I also baked a loaf of bread today and handed it out to the poor and less fortunate…….ok, truthfully, i did neither of the two, but i thought about doing it….that was before i decided to go grab a burger!
I want to say thank you to the lovely Bells! She is a champ in many ways, but yesterday she gave myself as well as a co-worker a present! An organizer, which truthfully we both need hahahaha :p but thanks Bells, it was GREATLY GREATLY appreciated for everyday usage, you are awesome!!
Tomorrow is my first day at my new job and to wish me luck Bells, Jules, Michelle and Nat came by bearing gifts! They truly keep me smiling in times where my smile gets lost in circumstance…it is so wonderful having such compassionate ppl in my life….I wish everyone could experience what it’s like to be surrounded by such beautiful people!
Today was Tuesday, which means drop-in ball at NKCC. The greatest thing about Tuesday nights is that I usually get to see Elton! Now, Elton is not your average guy you see. He always has something nice to say, and is actually a budding chef. Today he made my day by coming in to tell me that he learnt how to make chicken cacciatore. I love that Elton is learning how to make all kinds of awesome dishes, and I can’t wait for him to one day cook up a storm for the great staff at NKCC. Congrats Elton, and thank you for always sharing a little bit of yourself with us
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Yesterday I went to the movies with some friends and out of the blue a gentlemen walked up to me and told me he won a coupon for a free popcorn and drink. It was highly random but very much appreciated. It was such a nice gesture!
This just happened to me earlier this morning and although there were certain things I had to do when I got to work (and have been interrupted and writing this post for like an hour..haha), all I could think of was I HAD to write this on thinkGood.’s web site.
This new job I have started has had its challenges that sometimes multiply by day, but then you remember the purpose of it and that there really is a solution to everything and you get motivated and get back in to the flow of things. Well today, I got motivated times 100!
One major aspect at one of my main locations is parking and NEEDING to drive means NEEDING parking. Unfortunately, I have to go to a lot and pay for parking, which is not so much the issue, but it’s a matter of finding a spot. Lucky for me, there was no spot today in the regular lot (and I really mean LUCKY for me), so I went to another metered lot next to it and parked there instead. As I was walking and trying to understand how to purchase my ticket from the rubbed out information on the machine, I over heard a lady talking about taking her ticket but continued reading and minding my own business when I realized she was talking to me. She was walking with her young daughter and told me I can have her ticket because it is a day pass and she is leaving. I told her I would repay her for it, but she insisted she didn’t want any money and part of my cultural background, we KEEP insisting lol so I convinced her to at least take $5, but I was really impressed with her generosity as many people don’t look for someone to give their ticket to.
THEN, I went back to my car and was trying to grab all my things when another man who had been looking around and spotted me, came up to the car and said here you go, you can have my ticket, it’s a day pass. I was so impressed and genuinely content that people are going out of their way to do this. I thanked him and told him I already had one, so then he flagged down the next passing car and just gave it to that guy and left, again not wanting ANY money. Feeling so happy with the man, I thanked him again for his offer as he was walking back to his car.
It’s not a big deal to pay for a parking ticket, but for people to go out of their way and look for someone is really nice and I hope others pay it forward because I’m not staying the whole day, so when I leave I will be scouring for someone to give my ticket to and I hope the other person does the same! Suddenly, not initially finding a parking spot wasn’t so bad!
As I have been extremely busy with my new job and preparing to move I often forget to take the time to pack myself a lunch in the morning. My brother being the awesome person that he is lovingly made my lunch for me. This may seem small but my brother is not one for sentimental gestures…he’s awesome and I’m grateful!
For the past two weekends Juli and I have been tirelessly working away at baking for the upcoming fundraiser that one of our co-workers has put together for Free The Children. One of our friends graciously out of the goodness of his heart donated his kitchen for our use. A big thinkGood. thank you!
So I just wanted to say a special thank you to Edken…my car had broken down last week due to a flat tire andas always being the great friend that he is he came to my aid. Thanks Ed..u r an everyday hero!
I’ve been blessed in life to have a friendship with three of the most beautiful and wonderful girls you’ll ever meet. Today is one of their birthdays so I just wanted to wish Natalina a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope your day is filled with laughter and joy because when I’m with you, my days are always filled with it. You’re simply amazing and I couldn’t ask for a better friend. Thank you for 17 great years of friendship and still going strong. I love you long time
On a side note, thank you to all the other wonderful people in my life who make my days that much better just by being in it.
Its been a while ladies since I last wrote on “tell us”. Well I will make it short and sweet!!! All I want to say to u 3 lovely ladies is, I love that I can be ME and u guys are always there for me no matter what!!!!
That’s all lol. Love u guys. Continue to do good, feel good and thinkGood.
As I started my journey off in life I always thought my calling was to be a buisness woman, driven to make a lot of money just so I can live a comfortable life. I worked somewhere that had me driven to be only focused on money, how well I can do and how fast I can walk on everyone else’s toes to get further–leading me to be an unhappy individual.
I removed myself from an unhappy place and was blessed to be put into the parks, forestry and recreation sector. I have to say, I’ve never been the most happy in my life, most content in where I am and most appreciative. I’ve never been so appreciative for the daily, simple things that I have, and I wish everyday that I could share that same lesson with other people.
I had to give up my car because I moved downtown, and now take the transit system which I once hated. Now the only thing I dislike is the fact that everyone seems so miserable and unhappy with their circumstances. Thank you to the bus drivers who answer questions when asked, who have a smile on their face, and who say you’re welcome if you say thank you!!
Thought of my day is merely, ask someone how their day has gone, smile and always enjoy the minor things in life, they are the most important.
THank you for always smiling, and thank you for those who want to change the world!!
If I won the lotto, I would of course take care of my loved ones nasty bills lol however I would spend most of the money on building my OWN community centre!!!!that’s it!! Ok fine take a nice vacation with family and friends!!
. Good luck to all 
I just wanted to say thank you to Mr. Trevor A. He knows that all the ladies at the community centre freeze, and that our centre tends to get fairly cold at winter; therefore he decided to go into the two offices we have to turn the heat on so when we get in it’s nice and toasty!!
THANKS, especially because I take the bus I was freezing when I got in!
First and foremost, I just want to say thank you to my thinkGood. girls for everything that they do for me. They hold me down in the toughest situations and always come through for me. And for this I thank you.
The other day I began having car troubles (it’s getting too cold for my Honda Prelude…Luda…tear drop) so my friend from work came through to help me out by giving me a boost…this didnt work.
Although his Good. deed did not bring my car back to life.. he still came. And this I will always remember.
I got my car towed home the following day and had no way to get to work because it couldn’t start up.
Stuck in this dilemma, I contemplated “bus life” and didn’t know if I could do it again lol only because I dred the 3 hour ride and bus changing from Brampton to Rexdale, especially in the cold weather. But my thinkGood. girl came to the rescue after a simple request that I made and she picked me up, dropped me home and made sure I was safe. If there was anything that I needed, I was to let her know. These kinds of relationships are very hard to find, but I am grateful that I have a friend like her in my life.
So Ms. Khan thank you for everything. I love youuuu! And you know I got you when you need me! xoxo
I’ve recently started a site, and the information you offer on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanx for all of your time & work.
As time passes and we as human beings inevitably get older–we seldom remember that every individual is a human being. With that being said, we tend to forget that we as human beings have emotions, but we also have the power to do good, in the simplest form of saying thank you.
Today someone who I only see once a week, saw me at the bus stop (which my travel is about 1.5 hrs to get home from work), and decided to drive me home. Now, this to me, was truly a reminder that we are human beings and living in a city such as Toronto, is no justification for us not to be thankful for the kind things people do. I was truly delighted at the fact that someone did something so nice, without expecting a thing in return.
I also want to say thank you to the ladies at work–without them I’d probably starve; emotionally as well as literally!
So a Thank you to anyone who has said Thank you today!!