Good books: Kind Diet & Art of Non-Conformity

I’ve never done a book review, and rightly so because I have so little time to read that when I do it’s gotta be a book that I REALLY wanted to read. So I thought I’d share two of my most recent reads that are also both feel-good books.

1) Chris Guillebeau‘s The Art of Non-Conformity

Chris Guillebeau is one of my heroes. He’s a writer that spent four years doing volunteer medical work in Africa, wrote e-books on how to travel the world on air miles and make a living blogging, and someone who will never have to apply for a job again. But while reading his e-books have led me to tuck them away into a “read” folder on my computer, his new book The Art of Non-Conformity is one that can inspire any average person to follow his footsteps to living an extraordinary life, on their own terms.

I must admit, one way to kick me in the ass to buy it was the fact that he came to Vancouver on his book tour. But, I was able to get it signed and take a picture with him, and when he asked me about myself, I proudly told him that I was in my fourth year running my business, knew I was destined for something bigger, and that his book would probably help me to figure out what that was.

I’m still figuring out what THAT is, but in the meantime his book gave me food for thought not only on how to dream BIG but how to ground things into reality. Some of the gems included are:

- Finding the path to doing what you love.

- Getting out of your comfort zone and facing the fear of change.

- Good vs. bad businesses; needing to escape to something, if you take the leap to quit your job.

- Saying no for your own good.

- Leaving a legacy.

If you’re able to have a glimpse at the chapters, it gives you a better idea of the sections of the book. Even if you’re not planning world domination anytime soon, it’s an inspiring read that will hopefully lead you to discover more of what you want to get out of your life.

Me with Chris Guillebeau at Chapters Robson

2) Alicia Silverstone‘s The Kind Diet (www.thekindlife.com)

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Projecting Change FF 2011 closer: Mother

I feel really lucky to have seen the opening and closing films at Projecting Change this year because despite my busy schedule I feel it’s important to have a sense of opening my mind to new ideas and then reflecting on them. Once again, PCFF has not disappointed.

Closing night started off with some awards:

I really would like to have seen this doc which was real early Saturday morning, made by a friend of one of my VSFF colleagues. Next time!

I was stoked Eco-Pirate won the Best Documentary award! Well deserved.

An award also went out to the people who made a short 60-second video on how they are projecting change by making SFU a Fair Trade campus. It was a really campy rap music video – check it out on PCFF’s Facebook Page.

And now, for Mother.

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Projecting Change Film Fest Opening: Eco Pirate

While the kickoff of the 2011 Projecting Change Film Festival was supposed to be Thursday night with a fashion show by Jeff Garner of Prophetik, plans changed and instead Eco Pirate kicked off the festival. Held at the brand-spankin new SFU Woodward’s Theatre, it was a cool change from the traditional theatre space, with plenty of room in the lobby atrium for pro-change exhibitors. While a RUSH line had formed with people trying to get into the film, Sea Shepherd fans swarmed their booth for swag:

The theatre has ample capacity, and I was really impressed at the screen quality, though space was a bit tight and it got really hot when it was full.

While Projecing Change co-founder Brady Dahmer introduced Director Trish Dolman (go female directors!) and Captain Paul Watson, Trish introduced a few special guests.

Cody and Katie had lost their sister in a car accident last year, who was passionate about the animal cause. They decided to raise money in her name to Sea Shepherd, and have raised $12,500 to date. What an emotional start to the evening!

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