All I WANT For Christmas!

Preface:

I don't know if it is proper to use a preface for a blog, but hopefully you will understand my intended application once you read it. 

The idea for this blog originally came to me Tuesday during my Business Ethics class (Sorry Mr. Nelms).  I quickly wrote the main points with the intention of finishing Saturday morning.  This morning when I got up to write, the tragedy that occurred in Connecticut was really sinking in.  I had a house full of 5 children, and the realization that there are no promises in life brought me to tears.  Suddenly the accusatory tone of this blog didn't feel right.  Don't all parents want to do everything they can to make their children as happy as possible.  

I told my 11 year old daughter, Marlee, I was not going to post the blog, but asked her to read it anyway.  After reading it she told me I should post it.  So after some deliberation, I have decided to post.    

My motive is never to be inconsiderate, but only to make us question the "Status Quo".  What if the greatest gift we give our children is an understanding of truly caring about other people.  What it means to make sacrifices so that other's needs are met.

All I WANT for Christmas!

If your family is like mine, you start preparing your Christmas list shortly after you take down your Halloween decorations. After all, it takes a lot of planning to spend the $854 that the average American plans to spend on Christmas this year(1). Next we have to decide how to dispose of the extra 2,000,000,000 pounds of trash we created over the holidays(2).  WHAT?????

What do we really need to have a "Merry Christmas"?  Is it the "stuff" that brings you joy.

Go look in your kid's closet.  I know if it is like ours, we struggle to find a place for all of the toys.  Look in your own closet.  Are you constantly running out of hangers for all of your clothes?  What about your desk?  Is it difficult to find a place to plug in all of your electronic toys?  Now imagine an orphan's closet.  If they even have a closet, do you think they look in it after Christmas and try to determine where all of their new stuff will go.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE the holiday season.  I just think we could feel the same amount of joy, by using all of these resources to make a much larger impact on our world.  So I ask you: "What value does the exchanging of gifts bring you?"

I challenge you to do 3 things this holiday season:

1)  Spend quality time with the people you love.  Find ways to show them how much you care without spending $854 on gifts.

2)  Look for ways to reduce a portion of the extra 2,000,000,000 pounds of trash.

3)  Consider what kind of impact you could make by taking just a portion of that $854, and donating it to someone who truly needs it.

YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD!

Peace,

Jono      

(1) http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/16/news/economy/holiday_trash/index.htm 

(2) http://americanresearchgroup.com/holiday/

100 Push-Ups

Friends-

Our one year adventure has begun, and the realization of our task is setting in.  We have a tremendous team, who  I am confident will complete the 8,225 miles to Uganda and raise the $50,000 needed to build the school.  However, after driving Route 66 recently on a trip back from OKC, I began to question my ability to run 125 miles in 3 days (3 ultras in 3 days).  

My original plan was to complete the Route 66 marathon, and then begin rebuilding a strong foundation balancing my running miles with regular yoga, swimming, and gym workouts.  However the truth is between family, work, school, running, and volunteer work, the extra workouts are not always realistic. I have spent the last couple of weeks looking at different options and schedules and have yet to begin any new workouts.  My running has even suffered.  As I was trying to determine what my routine would look like over the next couple of months, I heard my least favorite quote from my former boss, "Becker, you have analysis paralysis".  It reminded me, Sometimes you just have to start with something.

So, remembering one of the themes of this year's journey (minimalism), I determined I would begin my extra workouts with push ups.  One of the reasons I was drawn to running was its simplicity.  All I need is a pair of shoes, shorts, and some open space, and I am good.  There is no extra time or financial requirement of going to the gym.  The same applies to push ups.  They are an efficient work out, and when done properly they work the entire body. My goal is to work up to 100 push-ups per day.

Every journey starts with one step, "The First Step". This year is not only about transforming the lives of orphans, but also transforming all of our lives.  My goal is to transform my own life, and one goal is to take action.  To take that "First Step".  A goal of 100 push ups per day may sound like a small goal, but it is a "first step".  What "first step" are you going to be willing to take?

Peace,

Jono