So Why CRSF?

Last Christmas I traveled to the Indian Ocean island of Sri Lanka. It was a spectacular trip and I hope to visit often. When I returned to the States I had the great fortune of befriending a wonderful Buddhist Monk by the name of Venerable Dr. Beligalle Dhammajoti. Dr. Dhammajoiti was on Sabbatical from the University where he teaches in Sri Lanka. It just so happened he was living at the Temple I attend in Washington DC. We spent a great deal of time together and we developed a close and tender friendship. I learned so much from him but most of all I was benefited by his kindness and compassion.

Dr. Dhammajoti told me about a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka who is the administrator of an orphanage which provides refuge for children who are victims of war and most recently the 2004 Tsunami. He humbly asked if I would be able to make a small donation to this orphanage whenever I could. Dr. Dhammajoti was sensitive to my humble economic status and knew that I was willing to do whatever I could.

I remember when Oprah opened her school for girls in South Africa earlier this year. I heard a lot of people complaining that there were plenty of girls here "at home" that she could have built that school for. Some people couldn't understand nor support her desire to help these girls in need.

I have also heard similar responses from people when I have mentioned my support for helping children's funds in other countries such as The Sri Lankan Children's Relief Services Foundation and The Cambodian Children's Fund. One friend scowled at me "Why don't you help Dominican children?" When I asked if he could refer me to an organization I could support he had no answer. He was just angry at the fact I was helping non Dominicans.

It's difficult to address these kinds of challenges from people: actually it's quite easy but I prefer not to argue about why I want to HELP PEOPLE IN NEED. I just want to see people and children in particular get help.

Another thing that drew me to CRSF was the leadership. I have a special place in my heart for the self sacrifice that Buddhist monks make in their lives. The fact that a homeless, penniless monk is trying to improve the lives of these children is something worthy of my respect and admiration.

I certainly agree that there are children "here" that need help. I am an advocate for PEOPLE so ultimately their geographic location really doesn't matter as much. This is a charity that pulls at me and I am inclined to help it. Some of you out there will feel the same about it and some of you will not. For me it goes beyond nationality or weather or not someone speaks my language or is of the same racial or cultural descent and background. I am glad to see people being helped no matter where they are in the world and I am just trying to play any role I can in that effort.

MYBWH&P!

Pushing the limit

When I started running back in May I could run a mile and a quarter solid. I wouldn't push beyond that distance and always had excuses for why I couldn't. I would be in a lot of pain or completely winded and generally was satisfied with my under achievement.

Then one day something happened. I just decided to run three miles. I did it and from that moment on I have been inching my way up to more distance. One of the things I realized when I reached the three mile mark was how easy it was to lie to myself. I would tell myself I couldn't take another step because I was so exhausted, yet in the time it took me to think that thought and try to talk myself out of the discomfort of running I had probably taken at least ten more steps. I soon realized that what I was thinking and telling myself was not true. I could actually take one more step. It was never that I could not do it but instead that I would not do it.

Lately I have been using time instead of distance to kind of gauge my progress. I know I can run about five miles in about 52 minutes or so. This has been my limit for some time now so yesterday I decided to push my time to at least an hour and ten minutes. An extra twenty minutes is nothing if you are having a good time but when you are exhausted it is quite a bit of time and you feel every second. I am happy to say that I ran for an hour and twenty-four minutes yesterday.

That certainly is no great feat for a seasoned runner but every seasoned runner has at one time been where I am and can relate to what it feels like to push their body farther than it thinks it can go.

I'll keep pushing and see where it gets me.

Getting Started!

Well I signed up today for the Rock n Roll half Marathon which will take place Labor Day Weekend 2008 in Virgina Beach, VA.

Let me give you just a little background here regarding this Marathon business. In general I hate running! My knees are not in the best of shape and in the past if I ran or even walked briskly I would be in pain.

However after watching my girlfriend's brother run a few of these things I have been nothing short of inspired. He is a couple of years older than I am and in phenomenal shape. Watching his work ethic and overall concern for his health inspired me to do a better job of eating right and exercising.

So since July I have been running on a regular basis. I have to say my girlfriend has also been an inspiration as well. She is a runner and in great shape so I guess basically I got tired of being the lazy third wheel.

At any rate she and I thought it would be a good idea to try and run a "half" next year. So we will be training for this event.

Of course to make this even more rewarding I thought I would use this opportunity to see if friends, family and if I'm lucky a few strangers would sponsor my run in an attempt to raise some money for a charity that is dear to me. So I will be running for The Sri Lankan Children Relief Services Foundation (CRSF). CRSF is an orphanage in Innamaluwa, Sri Lanka that takes care of children affected by war and the 2004 Tsunami. It is run by a Buddhist Monk, Venerable Kirama Dhammananda and completely dependant on donations.

A little goes a long way in Sri Lanka so I am going to be asking for donations as small as $10.00 and up (Details on how to Donate are forth coming).

I hope that you will join me in this little endeavor!

May you be well, happy and Peaceful! (MYBWHP!)