There are champions. There are dreamers. There are doers. There are talkers. There are those who desire to be part of something bigger than themselves. I think that is where I find myself. I want my life to have significance beyond meeting my immediate family and local community social needs. I do not believe everyone does that, but many do. We find ways.
A few people have responded to my email about how I hope to walk 500 miles this Summer, 4,600 in total, to raise a million dollars for clean and safe water. One person, very successful in her own right, this morning passionately begged me to set up a time where she could join in walking a few miles together. I will try and set that up for the end of June. A former colleague wrote and said $500.00 was being sent by PayPal. Yet, another said a check for $25.00 would be sent. Another told me, keep me informed because I cannot afford to write a big check all at once but I want to support you for every mile.
It reminds me of a very hot Memorial Day in 2005 when I was hiking the Appalachian Trail. I met a young couple coming up the mountain with clean clothes and a bright smile. Coming back, they asked if I was a through hiker. I thought it was pretty obvious. I was dirty, unwashed, unshaven, a lean mean walking machine. They asked if I would be interested in them taking me to a local party store down the road. I said “Yes.” They waited while I loaded up on chocolate, drinks, sandwich food and then they drove me back to the trail about 2.5 miles back.
I asked James, the driver and a medical resident, why they did this for a complete stranger. His response was one I will never forget. He said, “You are doing something I would love to do and cannot at this time in my life. If we can help you fulfill your dream and be a small part of what you are doing, it would give us enormous pleasure.” Wow! That has now become an overriding passion of mine…to help others live a more abundant life…and we can do that together. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. You can find more details on how to get involved on our website.
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