Saturday, May 22, 2010

What's Your Gift? Just do it!

It’s day 27 and it’s been quiet today. As requested, people have given me some space for the past couple of days allowing me to breathe and get out of my despair on my own.


Today’s a new day and I’ve come back from the darkest dark that I’ve ever experienced in my life. I never gave up the faith and hope, but at times like these you can’t help but question it.


I’ve run marathon after ultra marathon, like the Badwater Double and the Marathon des Sables, but nothing has been as challenging as this. What makes it worthwhile is remembering all the people that can benefit from this – just a little bit of sacrifice on my part and others will have food in their bellies and options for life. It’s a small price to pay.


It’s been an emotional rollercoaster so far, and I don’t doubt that it will get any easier – although one does hope. One minute you feel like a peaceful warrior moving through space and as soon as you start feeling great about it all, you get smacked down to the ground again.


Thank God for Sister Mary. If she prays for my feet with Holy water, my feet are going to feel better! So, I have to keep my faith with her around; we agreed that I am allowed to ask questions if I want, they’ll always be answered!


Why are the wisest people around me right now children? I get the most inspirational, real, heartfelt and connected words from children. Two little sisters showed up with a sign in Kentucky the other day, saying something like, “Go Lisa!” Everyone knows that that day was a very challenging day for me. I was feeling horrible, things weren’t going well and I was on the brink of a breakdown. I thought, God, if you really want me to do this you have to pull me out of the darkness some way, some how.


A little while later the six year old came over to me while I was crying off in a corner somewhere. She said, “What’s wrong?”


Of course normally I wouldn’t show my emotions, especially to a six year old. But I responded with a question, “What do you do when you feel so down and out that you feel like you just can’t keep going?” She answered back, “Well, you made a commitment to help the kids, right?” “Yes” I said. To which she responded, “Then, I think you’ll be a little tired, but I know you can do it.”


I went up to the girl later and told her, “You have no idea how much you inspired me today… Thank you!”


Moving out of despair is not always easy. Our minds can become clouded, our bodies fatigued, our emotions will say NO to every offer of help. But, after the other day I’ve made a commitment to myself to be open to receiving help and advice, especially from children!


One word, good or bad, can change the path of your moment, week, month, year or life. Don’t ever assume that your words don’t mean anything. The smallest ripple in the sea can create a title wave. Greet people with a hug, a smile, say I love you, inspire them to have a better moment somehow.


When people feel inspired, their true gifts shine through. Those gifts can benefit millions. So never assume that anything you do is small and insignificant. Sometimes we need reminding of how amazing we are. You can remind me, and I will remind you...


Then we can take our gifts and spread them as a force of good across the planet to heal and help wherever necessary!


I’m doing my thing. Are you doing your gift? Do you even know what it is? Please find out and, as one of my sponsors says… Just do it!


With Love,


Lisa

4 comments:

The Griffins said...

Lisa-
I can't imagine how hard this must be...I simply have no idea but I know that thousands are supporting you no matter what and think that you are one amazing woman..AGAIN, no matter what! My thoughts are with you daily. I talk to the Kindergarten about you everyday and we pull down our Kindergarten Map to show where you are and they color the state on their worksheet. They love hearing about you....as do I. BEST, Lauryn Griffin

marieboyd said...

You are doing so well - you've come through the rough spot, and now you are more than half done!

I remember how Keeler and Lone Pine seem to recede in the distance, and then, all of a sudden, there you are passing the road sign that says "Lone Pine has stopped moving away from you, and is waiting for you to run your sorry carcass along to the Whitney Portal!" Remember how your feet just started to run as you approached the final switchbacks up the Portal Road - it will happen again for you, and think how you will enjoy the triumph!

I am with you in spirit as I wrap up this Bishop race stuff from last week.

Love,
Marie.

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is an amazing post. The best I've ever read. Thank you for sharing this truly personal perspective. It's really so inspiring how you can look outside of your personal pain. You continue to not just inspire but to teach. Thank you and go get it girl! Marc B. (Vancouver, BC)

Jeff B. said...

I had to re-read this several times because it was so powerful. This may be the most honest testimony I've every read. The strength you were given from the 6 year old was not by chance. You inspire me not only to give to your cause but to look deeper into my heart for the faith that sometimes gets lost. Thanks for all you are doing!