onedegreecloser

Why I Run

I started this crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the Hope Water Project. I am running the Detroit Marathon and my goal is to raise five thousand dollars towards a fresh water well for the Pokot Tribes in Africa.

You see, for these people, a shining light comes in the form of fresh water, for me, my light came in an unexpected journey.

Fifteen years ago today my family had to walk into the hospital because they thought they had lost their loved one. I was in a severe car accident where I flipped my car six times. This trauma left me lonely and confused and it took some time before I was able to get back into the swing of things.

Being athletic I took up running as an expression of my gratitude because I felt I was lucky to be alive.

But as I look back, I can’t help but wonder ‘What was I running from?’

A few years later, on the fatal morning of 9-11, a day that will live in history as tragedy, I found myself in yet another miracle in my life despite the world being in chaos. I was in New York City, moments away from what would have been a deadly sight seeing trip to the World Trade Center. It was after this I found my life to become challenging and I questioned a lot of why I was there, why me? Why was I so lucky? Not once, but twice.

I turned to running as therapy and so began running more and more and I even ran my first marathon, and it did not stop there. As I look back I can’t help but wonder ‘Where was I running to?’

It was during this period of my life I found myself questioning things, often asking myself what was the meaning of my life? During this exploration I remembered the story about Alexander Papderos and his mirror. You see, as a young child during the war he would play with the mirror as a toy reflecting light into dark places where the sun would never shine. As he became a man, he grew to understand this was not just a game, but a metaphor for what one might do with his life. He came to understand that he was not the light, or the source of the light, but the light is there and will only shine in dark places if he reflected it.

And therein lies why I run.

I realized I was not running from or to anything, but what I was attempting to do was reflect light into my dark places. Dark places that when they finally filled with light became love and inspiration to others.

You see, when I run, each step is an attempt to shine light in the dark places of others.

“I’ve learned that finishing a marathon isn’t just an athletic achievement.

It’s a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible.”

-John Hanc

To support my project, go to:FNDRB.LT/dae

Thank you in advance for your support!