It has been such an absolute privilege a couple of weeks ago to do an interview with my blogger friend Sami from Flowers and Wanderlust. She did such a thorough and amazing job. I am humbled by her comments.
The link for the interview is titled “MEET CARL.”
Thank you Sami. You are a natural. I felt very much at ease answering your questions.
Thank you everyone for reading! 🙂
~Carl~
Photo taken with Jean Beliveau (The World Wide Walker)September, 2011
theoldfellowgoesrunning 
She is a natural at interviews isn’t she?Did one with her also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am going to read your interview now Kerry. Looking forward to it! 🙂
~Carl~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great interview! Nice to learn a bit more about my newest friend in the blogosphere. 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww, thank you so much Kate. Thank you for reading the interview, and for such an uplifting comment! 🙂
~Carl~
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carl, my friend. It was wonderful to know so much more about you!
Sami was a skilled interviewer and we got a real treat here.
Every word speaks volumes of what fabric you’re made of.
Here is a man who beliefs in the highest values and practices what preaches, literally.
Besides, you’re an adventurous soul with a generous heart.
Needless to say more about the fantastic person you’re and I should just end saying that I wish you all the best achieving your dream to be a motivational speaker. You’re real, authentic, so…there is nothing missing to make this dream come true.
Cheers.
Lucile
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucile, thank you for such a touching comment. I am humbled.
Sami really is a skilled interviewer. With yourself, who has worked in human resources for many years, you would recognise that right away. It is a gift.
Thank you again Lucile for your very kind comment. It truly is people like yourself that spur me on, and inspire me to forge forward to achieving my dreams.
THANK YOU my dear friend.
Wishing you a wonderful week. 🙂
~Carl~
LikeLike
Carl, you deserve every word and the many more I could have added there.
Like yourself, it makes me complete every opportunity I can take to help others, and if my humble comments inspire you to forge forward to achieving your dreams, that’s very meaningful to me and I’m grateful for the trust.
You’re already motivating people Carl, and you’ll soon spread the word and reach even more people.
Thanks for the wishes.
🙂
Lucile
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Lucile.
You have such a beautiful heart. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Carl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carl, I loved this article! I almost teared up at the beginning because you have always been so kind, supportive, and an all-round nice person to me. One thing I’ve been telling my kids and the kids I coach is that you’ll never hear someone complain, “Oh that guy, why does he have to be so….NICE?” Being nice and kind and thoughtful will carry you so far in life – you’re proof!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kelli, thank you so much for this comment. I am very touched. I still feel like I am very much a greenhorn, novice runner, and to have YOUR support means the world to me.
I follow the blogs of maybe 15 accomplished marathoners and tri-athletes such as yours. I enjoy each blog a great deal, and learn a lot from the content. I have appreciated what I have learned.
Of those athletes, I think 3 or 4 follow me back. You are one of them Kelli. I am so honoured that as a 7 time marathoner, you take an interest in ME and MY running. I cherish our friendship and camaraderie. You inspire me. Those children that you coach are SOOO fortunate to have you. You would be awesome.
All the best with marathon #8 this weekend Kelli. It has been a tough road for you overcoming that shin splint injury. I was so happy when you got those long runs in. You will be fantastic! 🙂
Thank you again for your friendship and wonderful comment! 🙂
~Carl~
LikeLike
Carl!! What a great interview… You will definitely do great as a motivational speaker. Because, you care! When I read your comments, I know there is more to it. You remember and think about the person writing this and not just the content. Thank you Carl 🙂 Best wishes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Prajakta, thank you so much. Your comment means a lot. I really appreciate your insight with this, as I really do try to think about the person writing.
I so much appreciate your support. Your comments are always so uplifting, encouraging, well thought out and insightful!
Thank you my friend! 🙂
~Carl~
LikeLike
Carl, this was a great post as well as informative! I got to know a lot more about you! You have all the qualities of a motivational speaker–passion for your leisure, a platform, and wisdom 🙂 Being a lay pastor, you innately understand the human condition and how much grace and faith plays (or needs to) in our lives. I’m in the process of doing consulting, which involves public speaking/training. In fact I am picking up my biz cards today 🙂 I created a WP website. I have been slowly incorporating my blogs into the website. You should look into creating even a simple one. Here is mine if you care to take a peek. http://www.windigenconsulting.com/ Good luck to you and I shall look forward to your next post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terri, I really appreciate your very supportive comment, and extremely useful information. Thank you so much. I love your name of your consulting company, and how it reflects your love and passion for windsurfing. This is really cool. Thank you for the link.
This gives me a bit of direction, which is wonderful. Wishing you al the best in this venture Terri. I am excited for you. 🙂
~Carl~
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m happy for you, as well! The blogging community and beyond is so helpful! I used a self hosted wordpress site so it was easy to use, although I had help from a graphic designer friend of mine. thanks for the feedback!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was one cool interview Carl. Sami really did a good job in getting the details out of you. 🙂
You live by every word you’ve said. You support people in every form you could and yes sometimes, a little smile from a stranger gives one enough courage not to give up. Conducting funerals did surprise me but think of it, that made a lot of sense. People are at their most vulnerable and painful states during such times and they need a lot of courage to live the moment when no amount of support seems sufficient. You really have a wonderful heart Carl. Your love for your family, the respect you have for the life given to you, the courage you show to live through tough times, the support and love you share to people are actually wonderful things. Though i followed you with the curiosity about your marathons and details, i’m glad i found your blog and got to know how wonderful you are as a person. As Sami said, I’m sure your parents are incredibly proud of you and so is your family. I think they are lucky to have you. Take care Carl. Good Day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sahasra, this is such a touching comment. Thank you so much for your EXTREMELY kind and generous words. I am at a loss for words, but THANK YOU!
I am so glad I found your blog as well, across the oceans and continents, technology is really incredible.
Take care yourself, and have a WONDERFUL day 🙂
~Carl~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. To my surprise, I am having a really good day today. Take care Carl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoy reading the interview – it is really a nice one. A motivational speaker! That’s I can see it from reading your posts all these time…my best wishes Carl!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading Indah! Now that the word is out about motivational speaking….I guess there is no turning back..LOL. Sami’s interview was the 1st time I have really talked about it.
All the best to you as well Indah! 🙂
~Carl~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Catching up on some missed reads! This was really neat, Carl. I especially loved the quinzhee (I made one when I was little, too), and the stories about your parents. I love that your dad let the special needs folks help out on the farm. He was ahead of his time! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by. Always wonderful to see you Fleck. And thank you for your kind comment. Looking back, my dad really was ahead of his time. As a child, it seemed like the norm. Going from a country public school to a city high school, I heard SO many derogatory comments towards people who were special needs. It was very sad to hear.
There was one man in particular, who ended up getting relocated between Collingwood and Thornbury (west of Collingwood), and he’d ride his bicycle a couple times a year to our farm, which is near Horseshoe Valley just to visit with dad for a couple of hours and then head back. (those were the late 60’s, early 70’s when bicycles were heavy and made of steel) The following spring following dad’s death, the man stopped by, not knowing. He took dad’s death SO hard. Even as a 15 year old, I was really concerned for him as he cycled back. Sadly 2 years later he was struck by a tractor trailer while riding his bicycle and he died instantly.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aww. That’s so sad, but also a great testament to the type of person your dad was, if people would come back to see him year after year. Thornbury to Horseshoe Valley – that’s a great ride!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations, Carl! Your story is so inspiring. And I enjoyed reading your half marathon post – I recently helped organize a charity team for the NYC Half and it was so great to watch all the runners, as I didn’t trust myself to take that challenge.
Thanks for following my blog – I’m glad I discovered yours!
-Jhaneel
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Jhaneel. This is so wonderful to find your blog. It is funny we both had the same answer for Jenny, and that is when I noticed you. 🙂
That is really wonderful that you helped organize a charity team for the NYC Half. These events raise a lot of needed funding for various charities. People like yourself make it happen. To watch the runners would be amazing in itself. This is such a HUGE event.
Loved your post on the Montreal Canadians. Looking forward to visiting again! 🙂
~Carl~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carl! This was a great interview. You are such an encouraging person. I am not surprised that God uses you so greatly during funerals. I will pray for you as you follow where He leads in the area of motivational speaking. I would LOVE to come and hear you! And three brushes with death? Wow! He’s definitely not done with you yet!
Thank you for always having a kind word for me when I post! You are a great writer and friend.
Paige
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Paige for reading this interview, and for your touching comment. And thank you for your prayers for God’s direction and leading.. WOW, this really means a lot.
You were my 4th follower on this blogging journey, and I have really appreciated your friendship. You write from the heart, and what you share always reaches me where I am at. Thank you so much for this. 🙂
~Carl~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carl It was great to read more about you. What a special person it takes to comfort others at the time of death. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and share your comment Sue. I really appreciate your kindness and friendship!
~Carl~
LikeLiked by 1 person