“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
I’m still not even sure how I got involved with the Young Canadians Roundtable on Health (YCRH). Like many other Canadians I spent a quiet evening harmlessly scanning through my Facebook feed trying to sort out what to do with my life, ignoring “Candy Crush” requests when I came I across this organization. I had begun a journey into the world of massage therapy so anything with an aspect of health felt like a good investment for my career and resume.
I clicked on the link to discover The Sandbox Project. Its mission to make Canada the safest and healthiest place for our youth to grow up was a statement I was eager to stand behind. I submitted my application and within a few weeks I was granted the honour of becoming a part of this group of talented individuals.
I was a past Memorial University student, completing the Bachelor of Business Administration Program. I was able to obtain a job with the provincial government as a political assistant to the Member of the House of Assembly from my district. I felt as if this was my opportunity to make a difference for not only the people of my hometown, but my province – this was quickly dashed in my hours spent answering the phone and making coffee, as opposed to having any real input to how we can change or future for the better.
I’ve always been a helpful person, well at least I try to be. I’m a firm believer in looking at the positive side of things, always being polite and spreading the smiles around because it can be contagious. When my contract ended with the government, it was both disappointment and relief. Although it was a great job with even better people, I just didn’t feel I was contributing as much as I could. The job didn’t make me happy. Upon meeting and chatting with some of the members at the YCRH, I was already in shock at some of the accomplishments and aspirations of these people that surrounded me. To be associated in such a group with the combined effort of making a change was exactly where I wanted to be.
Having a chance to attend the Sandbox Project Conference in Toronto was an experience I still have yet to comprehend. The fact that anyone would make the effort to send me anywhere was humbling enough let alone to participate in this summit of knowledge and inspriation. From the first sentence, “Give where you live,” I knew these people all had the same intentions as myself –to make a difference. I am grateful to associate myself with such a phenomenal group of Canadians that we call the YCRH and for our opportunity to make a difference in this nation we call home.
Jacob Hill is an avid hockey player and sports enthusiast. He is currently enrolled in massage therapy and is working towards becoming a sports therapist.