Change and growth take place when a person has risked himself
and dares to become involved with experimenting with his own life.
– Dr. Herbert A. Otto

The highlight of Sunday's meeting was Joel Duncan's presentation of his thesis called Fireflies which is a service creatively designed to help people overcome social anxiety.

 To learn more about his "enlightening" project go to see him at the Ontario College of Art and Design where he and fellow graduating students display their work on Thursday May 4^th at 7:00 p.m.  To find out how to get there and to learn more about this event go to:  http://www.37waysto.ca. 

 Joel's project demonstrates what a brilliant future is in store for him and what a positive influence he is sure to have making this world a better place.

After the meeting, the group of ten met up again at the local Firkin pub to eat, drink and share merrily about a fascinating range of topics including:

• The nuances which may get lost in translation from culture to culture and the difficulty in translating rhythmical poetry particularly from Farci to English or colourful Trinidadian self-expression to the more stiff starchy English. Keep in mind that when you talk about ideas that are beyond the normal constraints of language, misunderstandings can occur, so it may not be your fault.
• Etiquette concerning how to deal with people who are unable to stop themselves from long monologues, which prevent others from also sharing their own thoughts to the conversation: being assertive and setting your own personal boundaries was a key. 
•  Good communication occurs when the needs of each person involved is taken into consideration. Recognizing some people who affected with conditions like Asperger's Syndrome may have difficulties in social interactions. It is up to the listener to interrupt the unending flow, which may be hard for sensitive people who suffer from social anxiety. We may not wish to hurt the other person's feelings. It is important, though, to honour your own needs when someone cannot stop talking.
•  Human rights concerning routine circumcision and using non-violent language to communicate these issues to others and to oneself. 
•   The law of attraction says you attract into your life what you give your energy, focus, and emotions to and what you feel you deserve. Your inner thoughts and feelings projected outward are like a magnet and attract conditions that are in line with those feelings and thoughts. A fun read on the subject: Excuse me, your life is waiting; the astonishing power of feelings by Lynn Grabhorn, which is available through the public library system.