Mi Hamba Blog

“Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, ‘What’s in it for me?’”

 

~ Brian Tracy

Meet Deana. Not only is she a dear, close friend, but she’s a shining example of living in service to others. Her heart is larger than her tiny frame, her capacity to share and support is a model of all that is good in our world. Deana has been a rock of strength for her family, community and inner circle of friends for many years.

Last year, Deana became active in supporting an organization that helps bring people touched by cancer together in support of one another; educates the public on overcoming the obstacles associated with cancer; actively searches for a cure to this disease; and most importantly, helps those affected directly and indirectly by cancer to heal physically and emotionally. Why? Not only because of her giving nature, but because she now knows first hand about this disease; Deana’s mother transitioned from this life last year after developing cancer and living with it heroically for many long and emotional months.

We all have an opportunity to help support others that are going through a difficult time right now. By showing our support, we spread the hope of healing to the individuals and families that need us most. What a beautiful thing that is!

If you feel inspired, you can contribute to Deana’s Cancer Relay For Life by clicking on the link below.

Click Here to Help Heal

Today I woke to a beautiful Pacific Northwest morning.  It’s been some time since we’ve seen the sun with temperatures above 50.  This was a perfect morning - coffee on the patio, watching the eagles sore overhead, listening to the birds chirping their morning song, hanging out with our bull mastiffs.

Enjoying our own slice of paradise, my husband tells me about the earthquake that hit L’Aquila, Italy last night.  Sure enough, important news does reach me (I don’t watch the news).

Halfway around the world, tens of thousands of people have had their lives changed overnight - drastically.  Thousands are suffering from physical pain, while over a hundred lost their lives.  What is certain is that a country is experiencing the emotional pain of lost loved ones and the uncertainty of life as they’ve known it.

We have an opportunity to help others in their direst time of need. 

We can give financially to help those that are displaced from their homes….

We can give of ourselves by sending feelings of love….

It’s been proven that when a group of people concentrate on a message of love and support, healing miracles have happened. 

We’re all connected.  What affects one, affects all of us.  Let’s send our love and support to others that need it most right now and help heal a country. 

It amazing to me how our seemingly ‘chance’ encounters take us down a road, show us a path to follow, or remind us of what’s important to us as individuals, and to our greater communities - locally and world-wide.  When you look back over what has happened, you can see how synchronistic it all is…

Just this past week, my life was touched by one of our readers.   It’s because of that I wanted to share with you all how she’s giving for love, and loving to give.

Kim is in the midst of training for her first endurance event on June 27th, 2009, Rock ‘n Roll Seattle Half Marathon.  Here’s what she has to say…

Rather than just training on my own I decided to join my sister in being a part of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training.

 

At first I was just doing this to get healthy, connect with my sister and in the process raise funds for a good cause.  It was at my first Saturday morning training session that I was able to witness what a beautiful thing I was a part of.  My heart just swelled with an abundance of love and compassion when our Honorary Teammate, Skip Sand, came up and addressed all of the runners/walkers.  He shared his story of being diagnosed in July of 2004 with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and was told it was not curable but treatable. In November of 2006 he and his daughter participated in the UW Medical Center Seattle Marathon, and he crossed the finishing line in 8:49:37! He cannot attempt another marathon due to knee problems, but he and his wife still support by helping out at water stops and cheering on the sidelines. His humble gratitude for the work Team In Training members do and for the life he has is a reflection of what life is all about: the joy of being here in the now.

 

My goal is to raise (at least) $1,800 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by June 1st, 2009, as well as to finish the race with my sister and teammates. 75% of every dollar I raise will be spent directly on mission-related activities, such as research for a cure and provide financial assistance to families in our country struggling with the financial burden of treatment.

Did you get goose bumps when you read this?  I know I did!  We were still moved as we went on over to Kim’s fundraising site at http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl09/kdrever and pledged our donation. 

If you’re feeling good about helping out and feel moved to contribute (even $1.00 helps), Kim provided us a breakdown of how your dollars change lives….

Patient & Community Service (26.7%): such as family support groups, free seminars and conferences and direct patient financial aid
Research (26.7%) (society funded research has directly contributed to many breakthrough cancer treatments)
Fund Raising (17.6%)
Public Health Education (15.3%)
Management & General (9.5%)
Professional Education (3.2%)

Donations are tax deductible, many companies provide matching funds, and just think about how good it will feel to know that you’ve helped so many people!  You can donate here.

Have a great run Kim!