Quaker Canada | Goodness Starts Today

Thinking About Family Life in a City That Never Sleeps

GIVEAWAY POST- “GOODNESS STARTS TODAY” — HOW QUAKER CANADA GOT ME THINKING ABOUT FAMILY LIFE IN A CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS

Last updated on October 29th, 2020 at 11:23 am

Last Updated: October 29, 2020

Here in The Big Smoke, we too often wear our busy lives on our sleeves like badges of honour, losing sight of what’s real and important in the endless pursuit of material wealth. I know this—I’ve been there; I spent much of my 20s in an endless haze with my banker buddies as we filled our lives with lavish meals, top-shelf liquor, and parties at hot spots well outside my pay scale. I was busy living life, yes… but with all these fleeting things I couldn’t hold , making me no greater a man than I’d started before emptying my wallet time and again.

It took me entirely too long to appreciate that life is about the time we spend with the people we love, and we need to spend more time living for these moments while they’re still here. Not tomorrow, not next week — today, whether it’s a phone call, a visit, or anything that you can all look back on years from now with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart!

Since becoming a Dad, I’ve only appreciated this more, I’m lucky compared to many parents I know in the GTA—with a 20-minute commute to work and daycare a hop, skip and a jump away from home, I spent at least a few hours a day with my wife and son as we play, read and eat together… something many of my peers don’t really have the luxury to do. Though we definitely spend more time kickin’ it in our neighbourhood than we do doing anything extravagant, we take each day as it comes and make the most of them, because why live a life filled with regret?

This in mind, when Quaker Canada approached me with their new campaign—”The Goodness Starts Today”—I knew exactly what they were going for; but it’s a campaign highlighting something many of us sadly fail to do each day, and that’s to grab our lives by the horns and really make sure that we take the time to do something amazing with our time on this earth!

Quaker—The Goodness Starts Today—The Recital—Lauren and her Dad Talking to QuakerLet’s set the scene—if someone offered you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, would you take it? What if it meant you had to say “yes” right now and drop everything from your all-too-busy life to make it happen?

That’s exactly what Quaker did with “The Recital”, the story of Michael and Lauren Hope, a father and daughter who sorely need to spend more time together, but as with all too many of us, life keeps getting in the way, leaving Michael often too distracted as a Dad to truly be in the moment with someone he loves.

But with the help of Quaker, the Joy of Dance Studio*, and a whole lot of sweat, they said “yes” to living life, and something wonderful came from it!

If you want to know what, though, you should really click the video below**!

* Funnily enough, I eventually realized that this is the very same studio where I learned a choreographed piece for a friend’s wedding a few years back! Small world!

** Make sure to pack tissues—you’ll probably need them!

So with this in mind, what about you and your life? It’s a big world out there, but it’s so easy to get wrapped up in deadlines and obligations and lose sight of the things we actually find important—not the things that society tells us we need.

You won’t remember the money, the things or the hours at work when you’re old—what you WILL remember is the time you spent with the people who matter most.

Life doesn’t often give us the opportunity to spend our time with the people who matter most, so when those chances arise, you’ve gotta live it up as much as possible! Even if you don’t win this giveaway, you don’t need money for unforgettable experiences—just be willing to put all those distractions aside and be in the moment.

And with that, I’m getting back to enjoying this beautiful sunshine with my family in Prince Edward County, because who am I to dish advice out if I don’t take it myself?

Good luck and good living,

–case p.

Disclosure: I was, indeed, compensated for this post by Quaker Canada, who sought out bloggers that could get behind their “Goodness Starts Today” campaign with a personal touch on what that means to them.

But just because it’s sponsored doesn’t mean it’s not true.

I’ve chosen a life that keeps me well busy the lion’s share of my time, with no immediate end in sight. Opportunities like this challenge me to check myself and make sure I’m not slipping, because you only get one chance at enjoying your life, raising your kids, checking things off of your bucket list… basically, anything important that you want to get done.

It’s your life—live it well.

By Casey E. Palmer

Husband. Father. Storyteller.

Calling the Great White North his home, Casey Palmer the Canadian Dad spend his free time in pursuit of the greatest content possible.

Thousand-word blog posts? Snapshots from life? Sketches and podcasts and more—he's more than just a dad blogger; he's working to change what's expected of the parenting creators of the world.

It's about so much more than just our kids.

When Casey's not creating, he's busy parenting, adventuring, trying to be a good husband and making the most of his life!

Casey lives in Toronto, Ontario.

209 replies on “Quaker Canada | Goodness Starts Today”

My grandson is 4 months old and I have not seen him since he was born as they live in a different city than me. I have been saving up money for a bus ticket but haven’t enough yet. I would use the gift card to buy the ticket and go visit. I would love to take him for a walk in his stroller and get to know him better.

I would wait until the next year when the whales come back and go on a day long whale watching trip

I would take them to Canada’s Wonderland because it is a yearly event and hasn’t happened this year!

we would take a day trip down to Banff and area to enjoy the mountains before it gets too cold out

I’d love to use it towards a road trip out to Whistler and the other cities around Vancouver … explore our home province more!

If I won I think we would put it towards an overnight trip to Niagara Falls, it has been years since we have been there and we keep talking about going again.

I follow on You Tube as Judy C

I would bring them to a nice picnic BBQ adventure on Centre Island, followed by a family bike ride and after finish off with a movie night (with popcorn and all!)

I would get a room at the hotel , we would have a stay cation , the kids can swim and i can relax , it would be fun

I would take mom and dad ziplining! A day of pure memories and a lifetime of laughs! cheers 🙂

This would put some gas in the vehicle and pay for a pass to a National Park where we could do some hiking.

We would spend a day in Niagara On The Lake (our favourite place) get some ice cream, some fudge, stroll through town going from shop to shop and then out to dinner

If I won the $250 I would take my wife to the new Cirque du Soleil show Kooza…she’s been wanting to go but money’s a bit tight at the moment!

With the $, I would treat my sister and brother to an amazing time at Clifton Hills / Niagara for some fun and dining!

with $250, we would be able to do a movie night/dinner night with the boys. We have 5 kids, so doing a night out like that is expensive. Thanks for the chance.

If I won this I would use it towards a 2 day/1 night staycation in Toronto to visit Ripley’s and the Science Centre

With 5 kids spread out over the Universe and 2 little grand children, it is never easy to get us all together at one place at the same time! I would love to rent a cabin up north, throw a bonfire to roast marshmallows and tell scary stories. Of course we would have to do a corn roast and BBQ some jerk chicken too! Just some quality family time together and a lot of laughs! 🙂

I would go visit a new town here in my province with my family. Rent a hotel and enjoy!

I think it would be so cool to use this to go and do a room escape game experience. We have a few here and I have been curious

If I won this $250 Visa gift card, the experience I would have with my family would be an outdoor experience, visiting an animal sanctuary, going to the beach, buying groceries for an afternoon picnic, and an outdoor adventure weekend together.

I would use it towards a really nice and deserved dinner out! some where with amazing steak

I would love to have a professional photo shoot done of my family and I. I snap family pics often but they can’t compare to that of a professional plus I’m the one taking them and that means I’m always left out of those little moments caught on film. My little guy is growing so fast and time moves so quickly that I cherish and love any photos of us all together. Thank you Case P and good luck all!

I would use it towards a trip to visit my sister who is due with her third child later this year 🙂

I would take my family over to Vancouver Island to visit our relatives and go for a picnic

I would book a staycation at the local Clarion and treat my 5 daughters to a day at the waterslides! They’ve been asking to do this for a while but we never have a few hundred dollars extra to book it! Thanks for the chance to win!

I’d take everyone out for a spa day. We’re all overstressed, and if you head to a student clinic that amount of money goes a LONG way.

my parent’s 40th anniversary is this year – I’d use it to get photos of me and my sister!

I would treat my family to a night at the Movie. A Movie night would be perfect for when the colder weather arrives.

I would take my kids on an overnight adventure to West Edmonton Mall for some waterslides, amusement rides, shopping, & stay in the FantasyLand Hotel in a theme room!

I would use it towards our trip to Halifax for our shopping trip >>>> thanks for the chance 🙂

We will just do whatever fun things come to mind. We rarely have a chance to to fun things as a family. Golf, movie, go-carts, or whatever and pizza!

I would spend a weekend with my family in Toronto my home town, I don’t get back often but I would love to show my kids all my favorites 🙂

I’d want to do something fun and new, maybe take my family to Great Wolf Lodge for a weekend, we’ve been meaning to go there for such a long time.

My kids and I would do a big day out! We’d probably start at the kids’ museum, followed by some shopping at a local historic/shopping site with a fantastic toy store, then dinner out at their favorite restaurant 🙂

If I won a $250 Visa card I would use it towards Christmas shopping for my kids and parents. Trying to not go in debt this year. ?

I would love to take my husband on a date. We hardly ever get out by ourselves. We have a 3 year old so date night has pretty much disappeared. I would love to take him out for a night on the town.

I would get a manicure and a pedicure …… I SO deserve one ….. I look after everyone else before me and now …………. I desperately need one …. SOOOOO I hope I win I need to be pampered.

We would take our daughter for a weekend to Toronto and to the Ripley’s Aquarium. We’ve been meaning to go but funds are tight.

We were just saying the other day that we’d like to get a couple of board games so this would go toward that.

We would go to dinner and a movie as a family, something we rarely can afford to do.

I would drive to Northern Pennsylvania to visit relatives from my father’s side of the family. About 6 hour drive from Toronto.

would call up my friends and get out of the city to go for a long nature discovery walk ending with lunch at a favourite restaurant. thanks

I’d use it to get an early start on Christmas shopping…it sure would be a big help.

I have always wanted to go back to the 360 Restaurant at the CN Tower since the first time my husband took me there on Valentine’s Day 4 years ago. It was an awesome night, but hard to drop the money for one evening when there are so many other responsibilities! Thanks for the chance!

If I win the $250 I will take my family out to Canada’s Wonderland for the day.

If I won I would buy a season swimming pass at our recreation complex. We would be able to enjoy it throughout the winter months.

If i win the $250 visa gift card i would put it towards a much needed family vacation for this winter! Thanks for the chance 🙂

I have dreamed of going to Wyoming since I was a kid. I told myself I would be there by the time I was 50. Well, I’m 52 and still waiting. With that said…. We would go to Wyoming

If I won I would take my family out for a great dinner and a movie afterwards.

If I won, I would have a day out to the movies and dinner with my family.

I’d love to get all my family’s old black and white photos put onto digital for my Mom 😉

I would take our daughter and grandchildren for a wonderful weekend away!

Holy batman, WOW, to the zoo we go! Wow, prize Visa gc is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. 🙂 Pick me, pick me! Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest. Starving artist here desperately needs the gc to shop and eat. A life changing exp.

I’d love to take a day trip to the zoo and museum, topped off with some dinner at a unique restaurant.

I would take my family out to dinner! It would be nice to catch up, since we’re all so busy and across KW/the GTA. 🙂

If I won, i would take the kids to Ripley’s Aquarium or the indian river reptile zoo!

We would put it towards the trip to a hotel/waterpark mini vacation we have booked in November!

If I won, I’d take my family out to a fancy dinner than watch a baseball game or see a live show.

i would pay to go on a helicopter ride with my dad to see what’s it like above the clouds

I would take all my kids and the grandchildren to the Fall Harvest celebration for fun at the Corn Maze, Hay Rids, lots of food and fun.

MY HUSBAND AND i BOTH HAVE SEPT BIRTHDAYS AND WE WOULD USE IT FOR DINNER AND A MOVIE.

It’s so difficult to get everyone together in one place at one time, so I would use the money to have a family dinner in a restaurant.

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