Matt Corker » Global Issues

Value and Motivation: Wesley George

Matt Corker — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:26:08 +0000

corker #3: Wesley George! Wes is a seeker of truths. After becoming friends in Vancouver, he went off to complete his degree in mathematics in Ontario and has since moved to New York to help a professor with some of her projects as he completes his PhD in cryptography. He looks for what is true and real (in numbers and in life). I feel smarter by simply talking to him for 5 minutes. His wisdom is infectious. (And also so vast that we chose to separate his musing into two posts for you!) What a corker.

I caught up with S, an old friend of mine, over the Christmas break. S. is in the third year of dental school in Michigan. I don’t remember when he first got the idea, but it was something he committed fully to. He spends two summers studying for the DAT. Canadian schools show no interest in his (multiple) applications, but he’s accepted to a school in Michigan; after securing a massive loan, the journey begins.

I wasn’t shy to question his motives. I felt that he, like many students, took this path because he imagined it would in the future offer him the freedom to do the things that were important, whatever he eventually decided these were. It is that the real values are as yet unarticulated, and that this path of training does nothing to shape them that this choice seems disordered.

Whatever S.’s original motivation was, it runs out 2 years into this program. The promise of future freedom no longer has purchase. (freedom for what?) Class is unappealing. Studying seems pointless. He skips class to sit at home, smoking weed and playing Halo in his underwear. Even the enormous debt of two year’s tuition – whose repayment seems impossible without the income potential of a dentist – is no motivation.

Now earlier that term, when he still cared, S. had signed up to spend part of his summer in Guatemala with Dentists without Borders. And though he’s in no place to be making new commitments, he honours this one and leaves for Guatemala.

The work is not glamorous and the days are long. Largely he’s pulling infected teeth. By Canadian standards, this is emergency medicine not dentistry. But it’s easy to see how this thing he’s doing is important to the people he’s with. There’s a new importance to his work.

Suddenly it clicks.

It’s not important that this is dentistry or medicine, that he’s in Guatemala, or that he’s alleviating suffering. He could be a mechanic back in Detroit, a barber in Sudbury, a bus driver in Manitoba, a web developer in Vancouver; take your pick. The point is that he sees how his skills – his commitments, his investments – can effect other people’s reality, and so they have cause to seek him out as he can help them better their lives.

This is why what he’s doing is valuable – because it involves him with other people, enabling him and empowering him to participate in society.

Dentistry is cast in a new light – it is not about provisioning for some unspecified future investment, it is enabling him right now to take up the things most valuable.

With this, all tension, all hesitation, all doubt dissolves. He is renewed, reborn. New clarity: his actions follow directly from and reinforce his values. And with this clarity, purpose.

So why didn’t he see this before?

More musing from the corker series:
corker #1: Steph Corker -The Remarkable Journey
corker #2: Mike Desjardins – Creating White Space

Pick of the Post: Austra – Beat and the Pulse

No related posts.

The 2012 American Election – Vote Canada

Matt Corker — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:38:23 +0000

People who have been through a goal setting workshop or session with me know that I focus on really thinking with a mindset that “anything is possible” before starting to write down my 10 year vision. It helps me remove current restraints and really dream big. One of my favourite examples to explain this is to suggest that in 10 years I will be the President of the United States of America.

The things that currently deem this as “not possible” are current laws, my current level of experience (or rather inexperience) in the political system, and, probably most importantly, my current lack of any desire or drive to actually be the President of the United States. Since I was not born in America, the current laws say that I can’t be President. Consider, however, what would happen if in 5 years a law was passed that said ONLY Canadians can be the President of the United States. How would the current laws then stand in my way or help me in achieving my fictitious 10-year goal of being President? Would I still deem my goal “not possible?”

The video below was sent to me by one of my clients about the upcoming 2012 American election – and the fictitious Canada Party that is running. I had to laugh. Looks like more people are dreaming of what the States would be like if Canadians were running the show.

Things change. Plan for it.
Then do something to make that change happen.

Pick of the Post: Taio Cruz – Hangover (ft Flo Rida)

Commitments (& feeling) for 2012

What Is Your Revolution?

Matt Corker — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:12:48 +0000

What happens when I hear lyrics like this? Or watch a documentary about youth doing this? Or listen to a speech about this? I am moved to add my voice into the conversation, into the campaign, into the revolution.

The revolution I am adding my voice to is bigger than the (albeit important) determination of who has what rights and privileges. It’s about making love win, everywhere. Because when love wins, laws, privileges, and relationships shift (especially the ones we have with ourselves). When love wins, we celebrate and connect with people for who they are and what they’re up to in the world. When love wins, we are able to see what is possible in every area of our life and with everyone we meet. When love wins, we create relationships and practices that give back to ensure our global community can excel – naturally, socially, and spiritually.

Consider that we all didn’t wake up this morning by accident. That there is a purpose, a mission, a revolution that we are meant to be a part of. Some of us may be on the same revolution, others focusing their energy on a different one. The commonality is that the simple act of waking up is another reminder to us saying “Hey – you’ve got work to do here. The revolution you’re a part of still needs you.”

If this was true, what would you do today?

We will always have a choice. When you stand up to be counted, tell the world “This is my voice! There are many like it. But this one is mine.”

- Shane Koyczan

Pick of the Post: The Saturdays – My Heart Takes Over

A Could-have-been-love Story: A Lesson in Being Unreasonable

Human Rights are LGBT Rights

Matt Corker — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 09:53:20 +0000

On December 6th, Hilary Clinton gave this powerful speech at the United Nations in Geneva. Her main message: since all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, human rights are LGBT rights. It is worth listening to – and then shared.

In a world where language creates my reality, I often ask myself: “Am I speaking words that give life or words that take life away?”

Thank you Secretary Clinton for breathing a ton of life into this world.

Pick of the Post: Nabila – Trouble

One School One Day – in Denmark!

Matt Corker — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:38:59 +0000

Rob Tubajon, one of Vancouver’s top trainers and a pretty rad friend of mine, did something remarkable today. Today was his imagine1day creatribution: 1 School 1 Day. Not being in Vancouver to run with him wasn’t going to stop me in supporting him achieve his goal of having the health and fitness community come together to raise $100,000 to build a school in Ethiopia that would be foreign aid free in 3 years.

A few classmates and I made our way to the heart of Copenhagen and ran around the city, under a gorgeous blue sky, at 1 pm CEST – 9 hours ahead of Vancouver. Some may say we actually kicked off the celebrations!

To Rob and the team, this video (and the 1100 Danish kroner we raised) is for your efforts in educating the world. Thanks for changing the world by doing something you love.

Pick of the Post: Alex Saidac – We Shine

There Is No App for Happiness {Video}

Matt Corker — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:13:56 +0000

One of my previous colleagues forwarded me this TED Talk in June and now, more than ever, it resonates deeply with me.

In the video below, Max Strom powerfully communicates the value of:

- Being educated in breathing techniques and in responding to situations

“…learning to breathe and conflict resolution classes won’t help me get a job.” This is true. But it might help you keep a job – and it might help you keep a marriage. No small thing.

- Connecting with my friends and family on Skype

We humans are learning not to look into people’s eyes. And not to use non-verbal cues. But rather communicate this way . And put smiley faces to try to humanize it.

- Being aware of myself (the good, the bad, and the awesome) as a way to change the world

We have a vague notion of what we believe in, but we don’t have a concrete notion. So one of the things we need to do is ask ourselves questions like these:
- What are my ethics?
- What do I stand for in this world?
- Who are my friends?
- If I had to flee the country – I have 30 minutes to pack. I can bring one suitcase. What would I bring?

Tonight, I listened to this video on repeat as it is jam-packed full of goodness. You may want to set 15 minutes aside and uncover what goodness this has for you as well.

(smiley face added intentionally – see quote 2 – haha)

Pick of the Post: Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man

Event worth attending: sumiT

Matt Corker — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:00:59 +0000

This Thursday, submiT at Performance Works on Granville Island will be where you want to be.

I can’t wait to attend submiT this year. It is an imagine1day creatribution designed to raise awareness and funds to invest in cutting edge, self generating primary education in Ethiopia – and throw a great party at the same time. They are showcasing 10 great local artists‘ work on limited-edition t-shirts that you can buy on the night of. Yep – supporting local with a global impact. Oh yah!

My power outfit (what makes me feel most truly, authentically me) consists of Happy Socks, ripped jeans, a vest and a cool graphic tee. So, before I head over to Denmark, I’ll be picking up a couple tees at submiT in order to represent Vancouver proudly.

This Thursday, goals will be conquered and new friends will be made. I may even break out a few dance moves… watch out.

submiT – making Thursday cool, one t-shirt at a time. Get your tickets now.

Pick of the Post: Pitbull – Give Me Everything

Educating Girls Can Change the World

Matt Corker — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:09:36 +0000

The Girl Effect releases another compelling video to show us how the world changes when we educate a girl. Take a look-see:

Pick of the Post: Linkin Park – The Catalyst (Lift me up; Let me go)

Remember to Remember

Matt Corker — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:48:40 +0000

I woke up today as if it was any other day off from work.

I immediately started to create a list of things to do with all my free time. Laundry, spend time with friends, blog, grocery shop, prepare for my spin class fundraiser, etc.

At the top of the to-do list, however, I put a dedication: “For those who died, so that I could live this life.”

I sweat and smile in peace because someone died in war. This “day off” came at a great cost and I will always pay my respects.

This remembrance day, make sure you take the time to remember:

Pick of the post: Terry Kelly – A Pittance Of Time (official music video to honour today)

Three Words to Save the World

Matt Corker — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:17:19 +0000

Please.

Thank you.

SuperForest is a positivity blog that I absolutely love reading as they too subscribe to the notion that respect and compassion will transform our society. According to their Humanifesto, this transformation all begins with good manners – please and thank you.

Yesterday, the SuperForest community celebrated its 3 year anniversary of good vibes, strong connections, and influential actions. Thanks to SuperForester Carla, some of us got to be a part of the birthday present: a video version of the Humanifesto! It featured members of its community from all around the world – professors, designers, students, parents, activists, artists, … and the list goes on. Check out the video below to see what I mean:

Being a part of this great gift was one thing – being a part of this movement is something even better. Please share this with those in your life and find ways to incorporate respect and compassion to make a difference.

For the generations that will benefit from your good manners, thank you.

Pick of the Post: Ash Koley – Don’t Let Your Feet Touch Ground (official music video)