Chester Elton

Greg Mortenson’s story is told in a book that changed my life, Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace… One School at a Time. Mortensen’s life work is building schools, mostly for girls, in the most remote parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan. I have always believed that education is the key to real freedom, but I never realized how “Three Cups of Tea” would change my life.

I took “Three Cups of Tea” on a business trip to help pass the time. I finished the book on the curb at the Newark airport while waiting for my wife to pick me up. On the last page there was a number to call to reach Pennies for Peace, which immediately and has remained the charity of choice for the Carrot Culture Group. I called and met Laura Andersen over the phone. Since that first phone call we have talked many times and met in person once in New Jersey. She helped me get started to help raise money to build schools. Since then, together with many friends and the support of my own company, O. C. Tanner, we have raised over $35,000 for the cause.

Why am I telling you this now? Greg Mortenson has written a new book called Stones into Schools. It releases tomorrow and I would encourage you to buy at least two copies. Why two? Well, if you buy two you get free shipping and you can gift the second copy to a friend. This is a book I will recommend to everyone I meet.

There are only a few things that can change the world. One of them is a good education. Buying this book helps kids that might otherwise have no chance for any kind of education, which perpetuates the cycle of poverty, high birth rates and infant mortality. As we enter the Holiday season I hope we will all count our blessings and give to those that have less than we are blessed with. Maybe you can start the giving by buying a book? Even better—buy a book and make a contribution to Pennies for Peace. I hope you will. I did and it changed my life for the better and I know it will do the same for you.

Here’s a fun experiment—are people more likely to do something they don’t normally choose if it’s more fun? Check out this video and see:

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I have written about Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake before and now I get to write that they are the MLS CHAMPIONS! To anyone who has ever competed, there is no better title than CHAMPION. There is no better feeling than hoisting the cup and knowing that you are the very best. Even more than that, there is no better feeling than doing it on a team with people that have worked so hard for a united goal. It is, quite simply, the best feeling in the world.

I love trophy ceremonies; the smiles, the laughter, the photos, the confetti, the screams of excitement. They creates memories that last a lifetime. It is the ultimate recognition.

Congrats to Coach Jason Kreis, to the entire team, to Bill Manning the president and the entire staff that supports the team on and off the pitch and to Dave Checketts who had the vision and the drive to bring the team to Salt Lake City and make them champions! On a personal note, a special thanks to Patti Benson who makes every fan who comes to a game at Rio Tinto Stadium feel like a VIP and an MVP.

Once a champion, you are always a champion.So here is to the MLS Champions REAL SALT LAKE. You earned it. No one thought you could do it but you, and you were right! It doesn’t get any better than that.

*Image copyrighted by Getty Images

I had the privilege of meeting the iconic Peter Max in his New York studio last week. It is an amazing riot of colours, art and sheer joy. There are so many things to like about his art but even more to like about the man and how he approaches his art. Let me try to explain.

Every piece of artwork is personal to Peter and to the buyer. He doesn’t have the ego that you might normally assume in an artist of his stature; he is very personable and very approachable. He wants you to love the work you purchase. Whether you pay a few hundred dollars or several thousands of dollars, every work is unique. The way he does that is by listening to you and then personalizing every piece in some way to make it yours alone. He invites you into his studio and explains how he works; he makes every work of art special and wonderful for each buyer and fan. It is remarkable.

Every artist signs their work but Peter signs the work and then will put your name on the edge, inside one of his trademark hearts. He will take one of his prints and doodle a little sketch in the corner to make it one-of-a-kind for you; it is appreciation at its very best.

I was there with my wife Heidi to support one of our charities Ability Beyond Disability that helps people cope with brain trauma and the challenges of independence. Peter donated the space in his studio for the night at no charge to support the cause, gave a special discount on any art that was purchased and donated a portion of the purchase to the cause. This is a man with a big heart. He is someone you want to support and cheer for—a good man.

When we show appreciation, the more personal it is the more impact it will have. It doesn’t take a lot; a simple note, a personal comment or maybe even a little sketch in the corner. A little personalization goes a long way to making the experience one that could last a lifetime. I saw it work its magic in the master’s studio in New York and it can happen at your desk wherever you are. Thank you, Peter, for demonstrating to me the power of personal appreciation. Our family will treasure the personalized art we purchased forever!

As a proud Canadian, born and raised, I found this set of facts very amusing. Check out what we Canadians have to be proud of:

1. Smarties.
2. Crispy Crunch, Coffee Crisp.
3. The size of our footballs fields, one less down, and bigger balls.
4. Baseball is Canadian - First game June 4, 1838 - Ingersoll, ON.
5. Lacrosse is Canadian.
6. Hockey is Canadian.
7. Basketball is Canadian.

Click on “Read More” to see the rest of this list!

8. Apple pie is Canadian.
9. Mr. Dress-up beats Mr. Rogers.
10. Tim Hortons beats Dunkin’ Donuts.
11. In the war of 1812, started by America, Canadians pushed the Americans back past their White House. Then we burned it, and most of Washington. We got bored because they ran away. Then, we came home and partied…go figure.
12. Canada has the largest French population that never surrendered to Germany.
13. We have the largest English population that never ever surrendered or withdrew during any war to anyone, anywhere. EVER. (We got clobbered in the odd battle but prevailed in ALL the wars).
14. Our civil war was fought in a bar and lasted a little over an hour. 
15. The only person who was arrested in our civil war was an American mercenary, he slept in and missed the whole thing. He showed up just in time to get caught.
16. A Canadian invented Standard Time.
17. The Hudson Bay Company once owned over 10% of the earth’s surface and is still around as the world’s oldest company.
18. The average dog sled team can kill and devour a full grown human in under 3 minutes. (That’s more information than you may need!)
19. We know what to do with the parts of a buffalo.
20. We invented ski-doos, jet-skis, Velcro, zippers, insulin, the paint roller, roller skates, duct tape, the jolly-jumper, air conditioned vehicles, the Zamboni, the barcode, the Blackberry and the telephone. Also short wave radios that save countless lives each year.
21. The light bulb was actually invented by a Canadian (Henry Woodward patented it in 1874). The patent was bought by some obscure American named Edison who improved upon the design and took credit for inventing it.
22. We ALL have frozen our tongues to something metal and lived to tell about it.
23. A Canadian invented Superman.
24. We have coloured money.
25. Our beer advertisements kick a** {Incidentally, so does our beer}
BUT MOST IMPORTANT! The handles on our beer cases are big enough to fit your hands with mitts on. 

Ooohhhhh….Canada!!

Oh yeah… And our elections only take one day.