Do what you love
Posted Sep 26, 2007 10:04 PM by Susan Barnes
I am in a running group in San Francisco. The group's founder and coach is one of the most selfless, giving, generous, friendly, caring and upright people I know. He is at the track every Wednesday night, rain or shine even though he is not running. He is there just to be there for the group, to give us the workout and offer moral support as we carry out his instructions. He is also always available to answer questions and offer advice and coaching during the rest of the week. He is a coach, a friend and a downright special guy. Oh did I mention he does all of this for free?
Consistency and routine is everything. Every Wednesday coach Joe sends an email to everyone in the group with a motivational quote, sometimes congrats to various people who have completed recent races and general fun facts about the group and running. It makes for a great community. I look forward to receiving my Wednesday morning email every week, even though I may not be attending track that evening. And I know people all over the country look forward to it too. People stay on the list even after moving out of San Francisco!
This is an example of someone doing something purely for the love of it. Joe loves running. He runs, but he also helps others advance in the sport and he gives his time to further the benefit of others both in physical fitness and also in his contributions to various charities including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. Joe was my coach for my first marathon and he ran me in at the finish line. I raised $2,650 from friends, colleagues and family and running that first marathon was a major lifetime achievement. I have run two more marathons since then and with the help of Joe and the pints at the pub after our speed workouts I hope to run many more. It's about community, passion and doing what you love.
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Make a life
Posted Sep 9, 2007 10:41 PM by Susan Barnes
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."
-- Winston Churchill
When you look at things from that perspective, life is good. Do good, be well, live well, live life. Peace.
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New Ways to Give
Posted Sep 7, 2007 7:02 AM by Susan Barnes
Today on NPR, former President Clinton endorsed an organization that makes it easy for all people to make a difference. KIVA is an organization that allows you to loan money to the working poor. Your money helps a business owner move forward and they then pay back your loan. I think this is a great idea and so do lots of other people too. In fact due to a recent mention on the Oprah Winfrey show KIVA currently has a shortage of businesses that need funding! How cool is that?
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