At what point in your day do you do something that is bigger than yourself?
At what moment do you think that you're doing something better than what not only people expect, but you expect?
At what moment do you think that you've not only made a difference to yourself, but also to the world?
I try to have those moments all the time. In my job, I get to inspire others and help others with job skills and information to assist them daily. That's my job, though. There is a part of me that is infused with charity, though. A part of me that always wants to do just a little more for someone. A part of me that wants to give back to the community and to those that need help.
I regularly assist in drives, fund-raising activities and support with several organizations. A few to name are March of Dimes, AIDS Foundation Houston, It Gets Better, Lupus Foundation and the Trevor Project. While it's not bragged everything I do, I commonly donate time and money to these groups because they do something that's bigger than themselves: they help us. I don't have leisurely time to donate, but I do my best. Why? They help me realize that life is more than JUST me. It's more than when I'm upset while I'm stuck in traffic. It's more than when I'm mad that they are sold out of my favorite type of lemonade at the store. They teach me that we have a greater purpose. We need to help each other and those that can't help themselves so much. It's helped me realize who I am, what I need to do, and why this journey I'm on is so important.
I've always helped out others. Ever since my parents started getting ill, I've always tried to give every once of energy to their needs and happiness. If anyone ever needs a dollar, I'm the first one to sacrifice my money to do so. If anyone needs help with anything, I'm always the first to volunteer and see it to the end. That's who I am. And that's the reason why my journey is important. I am learning to put myself in that same importance to helping others. I'm looking for the right way to not only save the world, but save myself.
And I want you to experience that as well. Tonight, I introduce a monthly challenge to help guide my fitness, your fitness AND charity at the same time.
Introducting GET UP, GIVE BACK.
Challenge Information:
Cycle: 1 challenge per month
Number of participants: 2
Announcements: Twitter
Details: Each month, I will ask on Twitter for those that are interested in participating. I will keep track of these names. At the beginning of the month, I will pick 2 people out using an online random name selection process. They will be tasked to GET UP, GIVE BACK.
Now, I love sponsoring events. It's something I really enjoy. It gives me a chance to contribute to a foundation or charity that I might not be familiar with and also to expand my mind. I deal with so many in my life, that I sometimes love hearing what makes you passionate. What causes do you fight for?
Here's where you come in.
During the month that you're in the challenge, your task is to work out. That's it. Just work out each day. Go running, jogging, hit up a gym, do weights, walk the dog, complete a nature walk, do yardwork. Just something that makes you more fit.
Every day that you workout and let me know via Twitter (day of), I will associate $2.50 to your name. At the end of the month, that amount of money will be sponsored by me, in YOUR honor, to the charity of YOUR choice.
Yup. YOUR CHOICE.
Of course, there are a FEW rules that I want to have. The charity has to be established and has to be able to accept electronic donations. And this is honor system reporting. I don't need screenshots or anything, but be honest. :). Don't think you're taking my money. It's going to a cause. And you're getting healthy in the process. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I will be participating monthly as well. This way, I'm helping myself by working out, you're helping yourself by working out and we're helping the community by you picking a charity that needs help and I will sponsor a donation on your behalf to that group based on YOUR workouts.
It's a win-win-win situation, if you ask me.
If you're interested in being a participant in the challenge, let me know you via Twitter. Just let me know once. I'll keep a running tab, Also, let me know what charity you are looking to help. I am looking to start this in August 2011. Either reply to a tweet or DM me. And on the 1st of the month, I'll announce the participant and feature him/her and their charity in my blog and tweets as updates become available.
Are you ready to Get Up, Give Back? I know I am. Let's do this. Let's make a difference. Change your life and the lives of others around you.
You get one shot at life. Why not spend some of it making it better for others?
