Weekends exist to take a break after a busy week. However, some activities for a weekend at home are essential to change up a routine, and try something new. After spending some weekends repeating what I usually do, I’ve realized I needed to spend some weekends outside of my house in another location with new people. We should all try to dedicate one day per month to go sleepover at a friends house, or try a night out in the city watching the stars and sunrise. Recharging our batteries in a new way are what make life interesting.
On that note, I went to a two-day Justice Lab on one of my weekends not so long ago. I was able to learn about injustice in this world. As an environmentalist, I expressed my opinions about a simple commodity like water that is not available to a lot of people. The people were amazing. Everyone had a story to tell. I was moved and inspired by what everyone had to offer. We were all truly trying to change the world in order to implement a positive and brighter future for everyone. Although our dreams were big, we knew that they were attainable. I am still in touch with everyone that I met at this lab. I am very proud of myself for accepting this wonderful opportunity, and getting out of my comfort zone. I did not know 99 per cent of the people at this lab, but it truly opened me to many possibilities, and I walked out with new friends.
One of the amazing people I met at this lab was Graeme Watt. He currently has his own organization called Loveworks. It all began with his company called Good Coffee, and his journeys from a child child living in Africa to working in Australia. Now Loveworks has expanded immensely, going global. He has gone through a massive journey, and his speeches are empowering. I decided to ask him if I could interview on him in order to truly portray what I learned through this experience. Here is what he had to say:
You have had many opportunities to love permanently in many different places on this planet. And each one of those places wee full of culture and vibrancy, just like Alberta. However, what was it like moving to Alberta, and making that decision?
“I moved to Alberta from Victoria to go to university in Calgary. I had no intention of staying in Alberta but then I met a cute girl from Edmonton during my third year and knew I was in trouble. We got married right after I graduated and I moved to Edmonton where I live with my wife and soon to be two kids.”
From a very young age you have seen poverty. You realized the value of every little and simple object. The actions you took were mobilizing, and with that came challenges. What would you say has been your greatest challenge?
“One of my greatest challenges was a rock climbing accident in 2004 where I fell 140 feet off of a rock face and miraculously survived. I was in a wheelchair for a while and had a long and painful recovery. It was one of the most challenging seasons of my life but I learned so much about myself and gained an appreciation for the simple things and can’t help but believe that my life was spared for a purpose.”
Your motivation for change is endless. Keeping that persistent dedication is truly what sets you apart! What motivates you to keep pushing yourself to strive for bigger dreams?
“More than anything I am driven by love. Not the mushy romcom kind of love or the kind of love we express for a pair of shoes or a pizza… the kind of love that makes one protect their kids, that causes you to persevere through difficulty, that makes you brave, that causes you to sacrifice and lay your life down for others. I have chosen to give my life away on behalf of the worlds most vulnerable because I recognize their humanity and worth and dignity and because I am filled with love for them. This love comes from a deep faith in Jesus and the belief that every person is precious and deserves the opportunity to flourish and fulfil their potential. My wife and son also motivate me to be better and to give more of myself for things that matter. ”
You have inspired many children, youth and adults to realize that their skills and abilities are limitless. Through your message on love and injustice you have touched many people. Furthermore, you have worked with friends, and colleagues who would like to follow in your footsteps. What would you tell someone who has similar ideals and dreams to yours?
“What would I tell someone following in my footsteps is don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Play the long game and don’t quit. People who truly change the world are the ones who find something that matters deeply to humanity. Failure is your friend! Learning to fail well and to fail forward are keys to your success. Stay humble when you do succeed and give credit to others.”
Your family and you are growing each day, and you are realizing the responsibilities of your role as you watch your family grow too. In addition, you have accomplished your goals by working with others and staying true to yourself. What past roles or accomplishments would you say lead to the person you are today?
“I started to discover my passion for empowering young people when I was working for an outdoor education company in Sydney, Australia. I had the privilege of taking rich private school kids from Sydney into the Australian Outback for a week at a time and teaching them about life. This is where I learned I had the ability to speak into young people’s lives in a way that lead to transformation.
I worked for the city of Edmonton right after I got married and lead a team of program coordinators and program staff who ran daycamps in the River Valley Parks. This is where I learned to lead teams, manage budgets, coach staff, and be a real grownup. I spent some time working as a youth pastor at a church in Sherwood Park, which is where Loveworks was born.
I learned to love students and see their potential and call it out in them. I learned how to challenge them to greatness and walk with them as they discovered their capacity to shape their world. I have spent the last four years leading Loveworks and learning how to take a vision and make it a reality. I also helped lead a coffee company called Good Coffee that works to empower poor coffee farming communities by connecting farmers to passionate coffee lovers in Canada for mutual transformation.
I am humbled and grateful to have worked with some amazing people along the way who have taught me so much about life and love and purpose.”
The hours that you work are quite extensive sometimes, and it can have a direct effect on how your family. Especially, when you have another baby on the way. Thus, how do you take on your personal life?
“I work hard to keep my family my first priority, which can be hard when you are so passionate about a cause that is so important. My wife is so encouraging and supportive and shares my dreams with me. She is also good at telling me when I am loosing focus on my priorities as a dad and husband. Without the support of my family I would never be where I am now. They give me courage to keep going and care for me when things get hard.”
Again, this is just one aspect of what this wonderful Justice Lab had to offer. If I did not decide to go, I would have missed out on the chance to meet amazing people like Greame Watt. I hope his story inspires you just like it continuously inspires many people everyday. Remember to always try new things, and make the most out of your weekends.
