“Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness.” 
― Dalai Lama

I'll cherish forever the lessons I learned from my first fundraising adventure. I sat there looking at the screen of my computer, mustering up the bravery to hit "enter" and agree to the what seemed unsurmountable task of raising several thousand dollars so that I could participate in a 3 day 60 mile cancer walk to honor my Mother who did not survive her battle with breast cancer. 

I didn't even know how to begin asking people to part with their hard earned dollars. I felt awkward and guilty for even thinking of it, why would anyone want to give money in my Mom's name. I didn't even think I knew enough people with that kind of extra money to cover my required donation minimums and thought for sure I'd have to pay it myself or forfeit my spot. I quickly learned though, that there are so many people who want to be involved, that want to be supportive, that really truly care and that maybe they just don't know how to help, how to support and that bringing a cause in front of them is just what they have been waiting for. 

My heart grew a thousand times while my eyes were opened to the generosity and good in this world. I not only covered my required donations, I doubled it and was shocked, straight up shocked. As I walked all those miles I had my heart stretched, touched, grown and received a lifetime of gifts. The sea of people I walked among, every single one of them having had their lives personally touched by the tragedy I felt alone in, the crowds we walked thru cheering for us and thanking us, and the little boy who's face I will never forget who ran up to me during the hardest mile when my leg had seized up in a cramp, wrapped his arms around me and handed me a little sticker that said "you got this" while thanking me for walking since his Mother in the hospital could not. 

It's easy to get caught up in the negative, to become cynical and jaded. To be overwhelmed by all that seems to be wrong with the world. To feel helpless. And I think all of us are born with a desire to have a purpose, to make the world a better place, to leave our mark. But I think maybe we get a bit lost in thinking that has to be this big huge monumental thing, we have to solve world hunger, save all the world, be the mostest, biggest, bestest at all the things. I think I've come to learn that isn't the case, that it really is the small moments, the little things, all adding up that allows us to find our purpose. 

I don't even know that little boy's name, who is now probably a young man, but one tiny little sticker and hug fueled me to smash out another 30 miles. As the years pass along when I find myself in a struggle I think of that "you got this" sticker and that hug. I remember there are far more people than I can even imagine who want to make the world a better place. It reminds me to tell strangers they've got this. It reminds me how good it feels to give, even just a tiny little bit. 

Soon we will be announcing the charity we will be walking in support of! I am SUPER excited as it is a cause that couldn't be much closer to my heart, I'll give you hint, dogs are involved :)