Blessings and Passion 

On Saturday, March 19^th I was very fortunate to be one of a wonderful group of people that came together for a night of fun and fundraising for an amazing cause.  It was the birthday bash of Cynthia Kersey, the author of the fantastic book Unstoppable. She used it as an opportunity to raise money to support her Unstoppable Foundation.  The Unstoppable Foundation builds schools in Africa to allow all children to receive a primary education.  Receiving a decent primary education has been shown as one of the most effective ways to end poverty in third world countries. 

Being in Los Angeles, we were fortunate to have some extremely well known people in the room.  I had the opportunity to meet some of my mentors:  Bob Proctor, Mark Victor Hansen, Michael Bernard Beckwith, and my personal favourite Craig Keilburger along with many other amazing people.  The generosity of spirit was so tangible you could feel it in the room.  At the final tally the overall event raised $300,000 and will build schools, drill wells, and provide other necessary infrastructure to improve the lives of tens of thousands of children and their families.

For those who do not know who Craig Keilburger is he founded Free the Children when he was 11 years old in Ontario.  His passion for helping kids around the world is inspiring to say the least.  My favourite part of his amazing story is how he stuck to his guns and his cause when everyone around him was trying to tell him to be reasonable and normal.  He proved that even a kid in junior high can start something so powerful as to get the attention of the international media and a request from Prime Minister Jean Chretien for a meeting.  Listening to him speak of the things that are happening in the world and how each and every one of us can help in big and small ways to improve the world for everyone grabbed my heart, my head, and my drive for action.

I was first introduced to the idea of a birthday gala as a fundraiser by my good friend, Danny Lyon, author of the book The Colour of My Underwear is Blue.  For his birthday we were invited down to a shindig in Lethbridge complete with a great band, excellent dinner, and a silent auction, with all proceeds for the evening going to build a school.  The evening was a blast for all in attendance and we were able to positively affect the lives of many of children that will now have a much better chance at life due to Danny's generosity.

My next big birthday (40) is creeping up on me. To say that I am inspired to use to fundraise for a great cause like World Vision, the Unstoppable Foundation, or Free the Children, is a major understatement.  I don't need any more stuff, but we all need more compassion, generosity, and positive action EVERYWHERE in the world.

"We can't help everyone,  

but everyone can help someone."

Ronald Reagan

Last weekend I completed my very first marathon.  In a hurricane.  The conditions were horrible.  Rain that was coming down in buckets, howling wind, and crossing roads in rivers of water up to our knees.  Overall it was an experience neither myself or my feet will ever forget.  Along the route and through the day I had plenty of time to think and evaluate a lot of different things.  The number one thought that kept coming to me as I trudged along was how similar the marathon was to running a business. 

At the start line in the morning the energy was amazing.  Everyone was ready to go.  There were veteran marathoners, a whole slew of newbies (with me amongst them), a few elite runners (a record was set that morning), a large army of volunteers, and a slew of supporters.  Some people had experience and knew what they were getting into for the most part.  A crowd of us thought we had a clue, but were soon to learn otherwise.  Overall we were nervous, determined, and positive.  Just like at the beginning of any business venture we are excited, nervous, and set to run.

Along the route there were all sorts of entertainment, aid stations to provide water and food, and crowds of people cheering everyone on from the Olympic Marathoners to us pokey walkers at the back of the crowd.  People from all walks of life were sending us their good vibes to keep us going to the finish line.  In business when we make a point of surrounding ourselves with positive, supportive people they send us positive energy and encouragement to keep going.

As the day wore on and the weather went from ick to worse the supporters thinned out, the aid stations were forced to mostly shut down, the mile markers were blown down, and our feet went from dry to soaked.  There are times in business when you feel like the whole world is against you and you are stuck in the middle of a storm, far from home, without a clue how to get to the finish line.

About 5 miles from the end, our group got a little lost because the directional markers had been removed and the volunteers directing had moved onto other locations.  A group of us had a veteran from the previous year to guide us thankfully, because a "civilian" we asked for directions looked at us like we were insane and asked us if we had noticed it was raining.  Just like in business people that aren't putting in your effort or understanding your goal will try to talk you out of it.  That is when you have to stick together with other "crazy" people and find the finish line together.

After hours of trudging through horrendous conditions I was more than ready to quit.  I was exhausted (we left the hotel before 5:00 am to make it to the start line on time), cold and wet beyond belief, and my feet had blisters on my blisters.  My friend Danny and his son Davey were the ones that got me across the finish line.  They kept encouraging me, watched over me to make sure I hadn't collapsed, and let me grumble on at my own pace.  I could not have done it without them.  In business we have people in our network that help keep us going long past the point we thought we would die.  Let them help and support you.  You can turn around and help them at another time and place, and pass it forward.

Believe it or not I did finish.  My time was dismal.  9 hours 42 minutes.  Way slower than even I expected.  Over 9,000 other people that started never finished.  I never said I was going to run it, just complete it.  I needed to prove to myself that I could do it.  With the support of amazingly patient people and a stubborn streak a 26.2 miles wide I survived the most physically grueling experience of my life.  I earned my hideous orange t-shirt and medal.  I can show it off with pride. 

Yes, there are people that are built for running.  They kicked my arse.  But I'm okay with that.  I have abilities and talents they can only dream about.  Just like in business everyone has different levels of ability and experience.  You aren't competing against them, you are competing against yourself.  Push yourself, experience something new, surround yourself with amazing people, and see just what you are capable of.

"Hard work spotlights the character of people:  some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."

            Sam Ewing