"dream job"-if anything it has absolutely nothing with what I went to school for, and leaves me feeling as if I am contributing nothing towards society. Unfortunately for me, I am one of those people that are bred to work towards the greater good. I can't just work to make someone else more money. If that were the case, I'd be rich. I was without a job for 9 months, and although I am extremely grateful to finally be employed, I do not want to settle.
In the process of rebuilding, I discovered something quite wonderful.
Team in Training is a non-profit organization where groups of people from around the country get together to train for a marathon,half-marathon, or even triathlon. Pick your event, they got it for you. As you train, you are fundraising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
I jumped into this not quite knowing what I was getting myself into. And I don't just mean giving up friday nights so I can wake up at the crack of dawn Saturday morning to train. The goal for my particular marathon is $4,100.00. 75% of that goes towards research, the doctors we sponsor here in South Florida, and towards our honored teammate, a sweet little five year old named Dominic with whom I had the opportunity to meet this past Saturday. His father is also a member of one of the South Florida teams, and the word he used to describe us, me, strangers to him-was self-less. And suddenly what became something I was doing to give back to society, to better myself, to lose weight-it became so much more than what I wanted it to be for me.
And I mean that in the best way possible.
The struggle to get donations is probably the hardest obstacle ( other than the hike up on the causeway that is waiting for us). Out of all the friends,coworkers,collegues-20.00 I have managed to squeeze out. I will admit, this is discouraging to someone who sees friends spend money carelessly on drinks,dinners, and unessential items...the same friends who would not blink twice at possibly buying me a drink, a dinner, even a cookie-have not found the time to even give me $1.00.
Of course, who I am to get upset? or tell people what to do with their money?
It makes me fight even more, for I figure-if Dominic can endure at such a young age grueling medical treatments, I can bite my prideful tongue, and continue to ask for help from those around me.
In the car, as I was explaining to my best friend this dilemma, I heard the dj on y100 exclaim how Oprah has been sending President Obama's dog,Bo-cashmere sweaters and blankets. And although I love Oprah ( have her magazine subscription to prove it) and yes, voted Obama- I couldn't help but once again get lit up over sucn an silly expense for an animal who probably has all of life luxuries already. And here I was, joe schmoe,hassling corporations and my own friends for 10.00 to save a child's life-Bo gets cashmere from Oprah.
With that being said, Oprah is an amazing philanthropist, and a woman I greatly admire. After my inital complaint I remembered how much of herself she does give, and the want/need to write her a letter explaining my plight diminished with the thought that it would just get lost amongst the thousands of other letters of charitable donation requests she receives. Perhaps it is still worth a shot? 4,100 is chump change to her-but it's kinda like being shy to ask your rich aunt for money just cause she has it. Just cause she has the money, doesn't mean she is obligated to spend it on me.
So where do I go from here? Fundraising during this pressing economic times is proving to be the real endurance training. I am hopeful that the closer it gets to my event ( october 18,2009) that more those around will support the cause.
until then, more running, less talking.
here's the page for more info:
http://pages.teamintrainin
