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STU-Pendous Blog

These are the thoughts of speaker, author and camp director Stu Saunders.
For Stu’s original blog, you may still access his archives here.

  • Lessons Learned

    Dec 29, 2010

    As the year draws to a close and the prospect of a new year approaches, the excitement of New Year’s resolutions is upon us all. We all make a set of goals and objectives trying to make our year better, our lives better. The truth is that studies show that 12 percent of men and 10 percent of women actually achieve their resolutions.

    So, I thought I would share what I have learned in 2010 with the idea in mind that it may help myself and perhaps you in setting your goals for 2011.

    1. Be the kindest person you can be and the world will come to you.
    2. Show gratitude every day and in every way. Thank you are the two most important words in any language.
    3. Eat better, sugar and processed foods are not good.
    4. Just because the label says it’s natural doesn’t make it good for you.
    5. Drink at least 1 litre of water every day, if you can 2 litres.
    6. Have the conversations you need to have, even if they scare you (this one I need to always work on).
    7. Facebook is not the greatest thing in the world.
    8. Playing on the Wii is not the same as playing outside.
    9. Many parents are too over protective and could do well to remember their childhood.
    10. Making someones day doesn’t take cash.
    11. Reading a book is a still awesome. Including the BOOK OF AWESOME.
    12. The value of a hand written note has way more value then an email or text message.
    13. I can always be better and you can make that choice every day.
    14. The more you give the more you get.
    15. I really enjoy a glass of red wine.
    16. I love taking my dog for a walk. Be outside more in 2011.
    17. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
    18. Grow where you are planted.
    19. Journal, journal, journal! If your life is worth living, it’s worth recording.
    20. Get up earlier.
    21. Simplify your life. Clutter in your world = clutter in your mind.
    22. I have a lot to learn - So do you.
    23. It’s ok to say no.
    24. It’s ok to say “I don’t know.”
    25. Ask your parents about their childhood.
    26. I don’t always have to make my kids life “better” than yours. My life (and yours) was probably pretty good.
    27. Spend more money on a good mattress than a good TV.
    28. Summer Camp is a good thing that every child should experience.
    29. Apple has the best customer service in any industry.
    30. Writing a gratitude list is a very good thing.
    31. 1% actions steps are the key to all success. Break down your goals.
    32. I can make a New Year’s Resolution at any time. In fact the 1st of January isn’t the best day (statistically proven).
    33. I am incredibly lucky to be alive, live in the country I do and have the family I have. Thank you.

    Happy New Year to all! Forward this list if you think it’s valuable.

    Thanks to all those that have supported me, YLCC, OSLC and all that we do.


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership Family Life Learning and Growing Motivation on Dec 29, 2010 at 12:27 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (5)

  • Friendaversery

    Nov 24, 2010

    It is said that children come to us more highly evolved then adults. In fact children are often quoted and used as examples of wisdom. They give us constant examples. In fact most parents will willingly tell you that their lives have been changed dramatically by their kids. They have new outlooks on life, new priorities and even a new appreciation for the little things.

    The wonder that a toddler experiences every single day is awesome. A butterfly, flower, dog, shiny key or bright piece of fabric can bring a clown sized smile to a one or two year old. The excitement of running fast or jumping over or in a puddle can amaze a four or five year old. The creation a seven year old makes out of a cardboard box can entertain for days even weeks. The optimistic perspective of a ten year old can create change in even the most shrewd forty-five year old corporate titan.

    My kids are amazing. They teach me every day and have for years. Kristina at six years old, now nineteen, said, “Wouldn’t it be great if life was like a VHS tape? You could fast forward through the bad stuff and rewind and watch the good stuff over and over again!”

    Yesterday, while talking to my ten year old son, he was excited to tell me about how special the day was. When I asked him why he said, “Today is me and Luke’s friendaversary!”

    “What’s that mean?”, I asked having an idea what this ‘holiday may represent.

    “It’s been five years since Luke and I became friends! Each year we celebrate our friendship.”

    Awesome. Truly simple. I hope that hallmark doesn’t hear about this new found celebration or else we will soon find “Friendaversary” cards available at local card shops.

    What a great idea, celebrating our friends. Luke and Matty don’t go out for a fancy dinner, buy an expensive gift or go away on a trip. Matty says they simply talk about “old times” and laugh.

    Please take a moment today to do two things; one, celebrate a good friend and two, ask a child about their perspective on life, what’s important and how to better enjoy our days. You may be amazed at what you learn.


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership Family Life Learning and Growing Motivation on Nov 24, 2010 at 1:56 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (3)

  • Change happens

    Nov 16, 2010

    I haven’t written in a long time. I have started many a blog that way, I realize that. Got me thinking, why? Why do I write so much less then I used to? I think I have been in a bit of a funk. Things are going great right now, please don’t get me wrong. Life is actually pretty awesome. I just can’t seem to find the personal spark right now. I know it’s right there, just sitting there waiting. I am trying to make some big decisions right now, life changing, business changing, health changers. I know I need to spend some time with me, all alone, with my journal and figure it out. Change is ok. Scary and uncomfortable but good. I need to be ok with that. I hope that when I get through this process I am much clearer then I am now.

    If there is a lesson in all of this I think it’s ok to uncomfortable with stuff. I also believe that any good leader is always learning and growing. HERE IS BIG NEWS, you aren’t perfect. Far from it. No one is. I meet people all the time, even some that work with me that believe that they have it all figured out. They don’t. They really don’t. That’s a hard lesson to learn. Just when you get comfortable, you should force yourself to be uncomfortable. That where the growth happens. I also continue to be reminded that the grass isn’t always, in fact rarely is, greener on the other side. Grow where you are planted, shine even on those cloudy days and be ok with change, in fact embrace it.


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership Learning and Growing Motivation on Nov 16, 2010 at 2:58 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (2)

  • This is not how it’s supposed to be?

    Sep 6, 2010

    A young boy stays awake for what seems forever, hoping and praying and thinking. He has tried for hours, days and weeks. Over and over and over he has shot the ball at the net. Sometimes it goes in, sometimes it misses completly, still other times it circles the rim three or four times and topples in… or out.

    The day comes and he is focused, he plays the scene over and over again in his head. He see’s the basketball falling though the hoop, the coach smiling and a friend giving him a well deserved high-five. He hears his dad’s words clearly, “Give it your best and the coach will do the rest. Just try your hardest.”

    It’s his turn, he lines up a the free-throw line and concentrates, like a mind-reader seeing the future. He is sure to others in the gymnasium he must look like an NBA forward bouncing the ball once, twice, quick little toss between his sweaty hands. One more bounce. He closes eyes and visualizes the ball swooshing through the hoop, nothin’ but net.

    He bends his knees, opens his eyes and releases the ball. It sails through the air like a slow motion replay. It is headed perfectly towards the net. Then, suddenly like a well pitched sinker in baseball, it seems to drop and it hits the front of the rim, bouncing off and not going in.

    “HOW?!” is all he can scream in his head. He stares at the net then the ball. He hears nothing. Then the silence is broken by the coach yelling at him to ‘move on’.

    This is not supposed to be the way it plays out. He was sure he would make the team, make his dad proud, make new friends, be popular. He runs out of the gym without taking a second shot. He quits.

    Life doesn’t have an app called “The Way it’s Supposed to Go…”. That’s the beauty and the tragedy that life is.

    The child isn’t supposed to be left by his parents. The couple is supposed to stay married forever. The dog isn’t supposed to be pushed out of a car because he’s inconvenient. The expectant mother isn’t supposed to lose her baby. The 31 year old woman isn’t supposed to be stricken with breast cancer. Friends aren’t supposed to lie to you. Large corporations and powerful politicians aren’t supposed to be crooked and dishonest. People and religions shouldn’t be intolerable. Insert whatever you want.

    But they are.

    So what do we do? What do you and I do? Adapt. Change, Try. Breathe. Grow. Accept. Move on. Fight back. Organize. Care more. Write more. Tolerate more. Dream more! We must learn from our mistakes. Increase our awareness and make better choices.

    The world needs more people to expect less, assume nothing and dream bigger… MUCH BIGGER!

    You can create how your life is supposed to be. None of us are entitled to anything. It must be earned and developed and nourished. It’s up to us to make it how it’s supposed to be.

    This school year, be a doer not an expecter! Make your year what it could be. Make your day how you want it to be, how it’s supposed to be.


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Sep 6, 2010 at 8:08 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (5)

  • Plane tickets to Sushi Dinners

    Aug 3, 2010

    My life is amazing. I am given constant reminders every single day of how I am being guided by the universe in the most amazing ways.

    My favourite quote that I have ever said is…

    “Be the kindest person you can be and the world will come to you!”

    I made this up because it exemplifies what I believe. The kinder you are, the more the universe will shower you with opportunities, kindness, dreams, wonderful friendships and support.

    I once was kind to a gate agent in Chicago during a massive ice storm. She rewarded me with a seat on the only plane leaving that night… first class. I don’t do kind things because I want or expect anything in return. On the contrary, I actually get a little more joy when only I know.

    It wasn’t to long ago I was out for a sushi dinner at one of my favourite restaurants enjoying conversation with one of the most wonderful people I know. When we noticed the table beside us was in a deep discussion. These four young teenage boys all had looks of serious concern on their faces. I soon realized that they were short of money. They hadn’t considered their pops, the taxes or even a tip. So, we finished our meal and when I paid asked our server to put their entire bill on mine and I paid for it all, tip included.

    There was no big scene. I didn’t make a speech. As I left we made eye contact and they realized that I had bailed them out of their little shortage. I felt great! They were relieved and perhaps they will learn something from the event. One, bring enough money to pay for dinner. Two, how good it feels to be bailed out of a sticky situation and will in turn help someone else.

    So go out today and do something kind for someone. The key though, is to do it for the right reason. Do it because it’s the right thing to do and it feels SO good.


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Aug 3, 2010 at 2:30 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (2)

  • Living the dream

    Jul 16, 2010

    I know I haven’t written a BLOG in a LONG time. I have been busy. I have been on vacation. Been spending time at the beach, going for runs, lazing around in Muskoka chairs, went for a couple of nature hikes, did a little rock climbing, spent a lot of time reflecting and reading, enjoyed a few spins on the speed boat, had some gourmet food prepared by my own amazing chef and I am currently bustin’ a move at the Disco!

    It has been an amazing few weeks. The good news is that I am on vacation for the next 6 weeks!! I know what you are wondering, how? How do I do this, how do I afford it? Truth is, it’s all free. In fact I get paid to do it. Honestly. No, I don’t work on a cruise line or some expensive five star resort.

    I own a summer camp. I have for 18 years. I am blessed by whomever you want to name. I am blessed by the ability to truly live out my dreams! Years ago a YMCA camp counsellor I said to who would ever listen that I want to own my own camp one day… and PRESTO, I do. Now, I would like you to believe that it was just that easy, but it wasn’t. It took a lot of time, hard work and patience. 

    The hardest parts of this whole journey has been one, making the actual decision to start the camp and two, believing in my dream SO much that when everyone else around me told me that we should not expand, not move and not even keep doing the camp, I said no. The only two true passions I have in my life are my kids and growing YLCC (YouthLeadership Camps Canada, that’s my camp).

    There were a plethora of exits provided to me on silver plater. There were lots of “reasons” I could of folded up the tents and no one would have thought any less of me. Except one person… me. I would forever know that I quit, that I gave up.

    My job, my career is my vacation. There are tough times and as we grow tougher choices I am faced with. That’s ok, even the most perfect vacation can have rainy days. You just have to make a new plan, adjust your sails and regroup. I guess my challenge to anyone is to find that ONE thing that you believe in SO much that you will do anything to make it a reality. Maybe it’s a new business, a family, making the team, graduating with honours, writing that book or owning your own camp one day.

    The only thing you have to remember is that you need to work hard, don’t give up, believe in you and ignore the critics.

    I’m off to a much deserved rest. Goodnight and dream deeply!


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Jul 16, 2010 at 12:04 am | Permanent Link | Comments (3)

  • To bend the universe

    Jun 7, 2010

    What I am about to write may seem strange. Perhaps laughable. These next few paragraphs will I’m sure make you question my sanity. You may even turn to a person and shake your head and comment to them, “This guys nuts”.

    So if you don’t want to hear what I have to say then please, visit somewhere else on this information super highway called the Internet.

    I control the universe. The universe does not control me. I have the ability to bend my reality which ever way I chose. If I ask for it, it will mostly like come my way, not always right away, but it will come. Cool, huh?

    That’s the secret. No, not the cheesy book that was being peddled a few years ago on the Oprah show.  Don’t get me wrong Winfrey fans, the book at the core has a good message, the law of attraction. It’s true, it works. The problem is that it was set up to read more like a lazy mans universal shopping list. Just ask and it will come. Of course everyone that night said, “give me a car” or “I want to win the lottery”. It didn’t work. That’s not how the universe roles. It is s give and take thing. You have to give more then you take. If you do you will receive more then you could imagine.

    The other night I challenged the universe to show itself and to prove the connection that I believe we share. As I ran later then usual, breathing in the fresh night air, celebrating the legs that carry me down the safe street I live on. I was startled by the flash of a firefly millimeters from my right eye. It almost seemed to be showing off. Dancing against the night sky, darting back and forth like a child discovering the wonders of a sparkler for the first time. Back and forth it shot. I didn’t try and shoo it away. I looked at it, I could see the translucent underside of its abdomen. It was like a million mirrors reflecting back the light or the magic.

    I stopped in my tracks and looked at it. It hovered in front of me, shifting from the right to the left. I said, “hello”. It stopped in it’s place zipped around my head and gave one more brilliant flash of light and was gone into the bush by the roadside.

    I looked up at the night sky at the millions of stars and back to the long, dark road ahead of me. I was alone. No noise except the hum of a car in the distance and sound of a breeze through the trees. I felt like I had been touched, connected in a new way.

    I decided to put it out there.

    “Universe, I am watching your magic and I am aware.

    If you are listening show yourself. Let me see you are listening.”

    Suddenly a half dozen brilliant lights sparkled in front of me and shot to the same bush my friend from earlier had disappeared to.

    “Really show me universe. Show me you’re really there, that we are connected.”

    Then out of nowhere like a scene from Avatar, there were hundreds within 2 meters of me. Sparkling like a newly decorated home at Christmas. “Show me!” I yelled out. They blinked brighter and were joined by more. My eyes began to fill with emotion, goose bumps covered my skin, my heart raced faster.

    “Thank you…” was all I could muster. Then as fast they appeared, they were gone. Just a few were left to flutter and flicker away into the forest.

    I was alone again, but only in the literal sense. I realized that I wasn’t alone at all. The universe was beside me. Then and now and tomorrow.

    I can communicate with the universe. It listens to me, it works for me. It only needed me to take off the blinders of the filing system we (society) has developed. You are this, you come from here, you make this much, this your god, this is my god, I’m right, you’re wrong, I live for Friday, I count days till I’m “done”, I will do it when it’s more acceptable to… “them”, parents, teachers, society, community, preachers, friends, genre or class.

    Then the naked mole said “but why not?”. That’s right. You can control the universe too, this is not exclusive to me. The key is that’s it is not a secret at all. It, the universe, is waiting to show you. Ask, just ask. Speak out loud, don’t be afraid. It’s not a shopping spree awarded by the local hit music station though and it’s not magic. You will need to give to get, thank others for everything, believe and of course have patience. The universe is listening… Right now…

    Blink, blink, blink, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzip! Gone. 


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Jun 7, 2010 at 8:48 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (5)

  • Really? Really? No? Really?

    May 31, 2010

    I wander down the street, enjoying the sunshine, my soul is warmed by the sun and the full day that was ahead of me. I wait in line for a tea at the local fair trade coffee shop. I stand behind a woman in her late twenties. She turned to her friend and said “This weather sucks, so frickin’ hot. I hate it, I really hate it.”

    This actually made me say out loud, “Really? Really? No? Really?”

    She turns and glares, I look at the price on a bag of coffee and point, smile.

    Behind me a couple of teenage brothers are very grumpy busy complaining that their parents wouldn’t buy them the new iPod’s. This made them very upset.

    “Mom is such a B!&CH! I asked her like three times, I even took out the garbage today. Man I hate her!”

    Again, I repeat (this time in my head), “Really? Really? No? Really?”

    Hey whiners, STOP! Most people in this country have NO idea the beautiful life they have been given. I once, complained to a friend about not getting what I want, I was depressed. Feeling empty. She simply smiled and said two of the most important words that I remind myself of every single day. Those words, find joy.

    If you think it’s bad please move to Afghanistan. Otherwise, enjoy your clean drinking water, you freedom to travel, the sounds of birds and not bombs, the freedom to dress with as little clothing as you want, to shop in grocery stores full of fresh foods, to walk into a public library and READ, to vote freely, to own an iPod, iPad to have eyes. To simply be whom you want to be. This idea has been repeating itself over and over again in my head for months.

    In the winter it’s to cold, the summer to hot, the spring to wet, the fall sucks because the winter is coming. Our jobs are unfulfilling, our parents are unfair, our teachers are mean, adults “don’t get it!” Young people just waste it. We spend our youth wanting to be older and our adulthood wishing we had done more when we were young. This is a never ending cycle. It’s human nature right? Just the way people are. Never quite having enough. The internet connection is not fast enough and there is nothing on TV.

    Here is the idea that I wish we could all embrace. Find joy, move forward, learn from our lessons, celebrate our freedom, help someone in need and laugh often. Care, listen, love and say thank you. Find Joy, find peace, find beauty. Embrace what’s right. Be STUpendous. Don’t get caught up in extremes. Don’t judge. Be you, be fair. There are no extra people on the planet. You matter, you can count, you really do count, be happy that you learned to count. Life is hard, life is equally sweet, life is a choice. You are who you spend time with. The past is gone, the future is unknown and today is a gift that’s why it’s called the present. Be the change, be the example, be, simply be.

    In the end you will succeed if you choose. Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.

    Breathe, dream, find joy.

    Yes, it’s really, really just that simple. Really.


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on May 31, 2010 at 9:14 am | Permanent Link | Comments (4)

  • McHappy Life

    May 9, 2010

    Simple isn’t it. Life, I mean. It is the the one thing we all have to participate in it. I guess we could choose not to if we want, but then what’s the point. We all are given the same opportunity to lead a good life. Yes, no doubt that where you are born, the country, the economics and the time you are born all have significant impact on how you will live from day to day. But, the chance to choose to live fully is given to everyone.

    There are the stories of people in every corner of the world that have been born into war, mediocrity, poverty and hunger yet still live extraordinary lives. Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Terry Fox, Richard Branson and my mom are all great examples of people that have lived well despite the hardships presented to them.

    My mother during the second world war witnessed and survived the Blitz full on. She was shipped to the country side of England, separated from her mother, father and brothers. When the war was over and she returned to London the front of her home was gone. She could stand on the street and look at her home resembling more of a doll house then the family home she left. Most of the walls missing, destroyed by German bombs. She would live that way for more then a year, no washroom, shower or privacy. Today, she is a proud home owner and she is actively living each day.

    Why is it we complain, whine and bitch about everything. We are SO lucky to live when we do and how we do. We are responsible for our own happiness. It’s now always easy. Unlike a McHappy meal we just can’t order joy. We need to make decisions that will help facilitate our own happiness. If you aren’t happy, then make the change. When you know what will change you from a negative attitude to a positive one, do it.

    I too need to make a constant effort every day to make sure I am setting myself up for success. I need to put out what I want back. I need to attract the uninhibited joy into my life. This is my choice and it’s your choice. Make it. Stop complaining and start celebrating!

    “To attract something that you want, become as joyful as you think that thing would make you. The joy, not the thing, is the point.”  - Martha Beck


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on May 9, 2010 at 6:19 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (1)

  • A full life

    Mar 14, 2010

    This may seem arrogant. You may call me pompous or full of myself. I’m not though. I swear. I am sitting on the most comfortable couch, with the most relaxing music playing while absorbing the smell of the burning cedar and sound of the crackling fire. I am incredibly rich and successful, but not in dollars and cents.

    The fall of ninth grade I was confronted by 5 members of the football team. They told me they wanted to show me something. I was then tackled, forced into a small, cannonball like position and bound using masking and duct tape and made into a human tape ball. They then rolled me into a storage closet and I was left there until the custodians found me many hours later. I hated myself, I wanted to run away, to die. How could I be such a loser that it would become the goal of 5 senior high school students to humiliate me to the point of tears.

    As I lied in the closet, hearing the laughing of students and the bells ringing for class changes, I was helpless. I was truly alone. I was was unable to do anything to change my situation. At that moment I felt as if I would never amount to anything in my life. I was not much more then heap of useless crap. I am nothing.

    I awake some mornings and walk from my front door, wander through the woods and make my way to the beach. The sun rises over the water. I climb into a kayak and paddle my way through the placid water to make my way to the middle of the lake. I see the warm sun rays cut through the morning mist wafting up from the water. The morning air fills my lungs. I close my eyes and smile to myself. This is mine. My life is blessed. I am more, I have more, I do more then most.

    I stood at the back of the gymnasium door, nervous. I was in grade 11. In a few moments I would be called upon to stand in front of 1400 of my fellow school mates. This moment was a double edged sword. Half of me, so passionate about what I believed in, half of me fully aware I would be laughed at, heckled, pointed at and ridiculed. The call comes, I walked out to centre of the floor. Their laughter was clear, piercing. The chants of fag, loser and geek shoot directly to the core of my soul. At that moment, I feel as if my life will never be much, I will never date the popular girl, never have the group of friends that laugh together in the coffee shop. I will, for some reason, fail.

    Standing on the stage I finish my speech.I am 39. I feel good. The audience is clapping, cheering and smiling. I acknowledge their acceptance, their emotion, their positive affirmations. As I say thank you, they rise to their feet. A standing ovation. I am a success. I am making a difference. I will be remembered. I get more then I give.

    Today I am not alone. I open my wallet to see the shiny and warm faces of my children. I am their hero. I am loved by them. They are inspired.

    Today I embrace my best friend, the same one I have had for 20 years. He cried a little last night as I read the card he gave me for my birthday. True friendship.

    Today I got an email from a parent that said I changed their daughters life and in turn their families.

    Today I thank the universe for my life.

    Once I felt as if I was never going to be anything.

    Today I feel as if I could do, be or have anything.

    What will tomorrow hold? It will be better then today. Hard to believe, but it will.


    Posted by Stu Saunders in Leadership on Mar 14, 2010 at 9:33 pm | Permanent Link | Comments (12)

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