Walk for a Cause, Run for a Purpose

There are times in life when we chose to walk toward or away from things & there are other times when we feel the need to run. Our reasons for going in either direction can be surface deep, preferential, or deeply personal. The fact is that with all situations & experiences when we strip away all that we have invested we are still left with the emotion & feelings from these times. In these times of change we have to be courageous & let our clarity & integrity define us.

When we are going through tough times, many if not all of our supporters try to steer us toward putting things behind us, moving forward, & looking back less. I know from experience that it is all together too easy to just focus on what we feel we have lost & not realize that, while we may have lost something or someone in a physical sense, we do not & have not lost the most important part which are memories from the times that gave us feelings of Love & Happiness. Like "Little Wonders," these memories & feelings are always ours to remember & use to learn, grow, & perpetuate in others. There are millions of people in the world that battle crippling sicknesses & diseases that we can help cure.

This past weekend, I participated in the annual Susan Komen 5K run/walk in my city to help fight breast cancer. The event raised over 1 million dollars, had over 28,000 people register, & over 2300 runners that chose to be timed. I had a leg injury that did not allow me to run for over a month & a half before the race, & I only got well enough to begin to prepare for the race the Monday of that week. During the race, I had to fight internal & external battles to keep myself going toward the finish line. At least 5 times, I had to slow down to a walk during the relatively short 3.1 mile distance. In honor of all those that have to fight this very serious disease & in honor of myself, I did not give up & would return to running as soon as I could catch my breath.

I finished this event 192nd of the timed runners, 27th in my age group at 22 minutes & 58 seconds, & knowing that next time I will do better. The fact is that I finished & I did not give up. I did so for all of those who have fought this disease valiantly but lost their battle, those who are winning their battle, those who will battle this disease, & to prove to myself that I could win my internal battle to finish proudly. Whatever you have to or chose to walk or run toward or from, remember all of the "Little Wonders," that make you Happy. When you do & that smile crosses your beautiful face, remember this & pass it on. Peace, Love, & Happiness to you all.

Bless You!
Thomas