Stroll Models

Saturday, April 21, 2012 ... Beautiful! Amazing! Supportive! Encouraging! Surprising! Love! Are just some of the words I use to describe that day.  Our team, the Stroll Models set out with our nikes and athletic gear to walk for Multiple Sclerosis. The forecast called for rain but it turned out to be an 80 degree day with hundreds of people turning out to support people suffering with MS. We were only trying to raise $500 but we raised $2500! We started out with 12 team members but the team grew as we joined our counterparts and became one big team walking and supporting the same cause.

We hugged each other, rooted for each other, took pictures with each other, and uplifted one another.  We took our time and soaked up the sun. We walked over 7000 steps, 3 miles to be exact! Cheerleaders greeted us at the finish line and then got in a few line dances.

Can you imagine after walking 3 miles, we had the energy to dance!!? Our feet had the audacity to keep moving? LOL. But some people affected with MS can't move.  We danced to give them hope. Inspiration. Even if it inspired them to lift a hand, snap a finger, tap their foot or simply smile.  We were dancing in their honor, for our accomplishments, and the victories won.

Next year we plan to start raising money early and hopefully rounding up more team members so we can really make a big impact not just in dollars but in numbers as well.  To Angela, Tony, Kai, Sabrina and so many others suffering with MS ... we love you and will do all we can to make sure treatment is available, treatment advances and one day, we find a cure.

Until Next Time ... Encourage! Donate! Support!  ... Something!

Ms. Under Estimate

As tired as I am, and with all I have coming up in the next few days, I just had to get in a quick entry.  Just three weeks ago, I starting raising money in honor of my friends and others affected by Multiple Sclerosis.  I started out with low expectations.  I felt because I only started 3 weeks before the walk that I couldn't possible raise more than a few hundred dollars.

But as I saw the out pour of support from friends and family my expectations grew.  Five hundred dollars was my personal goal and as I surpassed that, I increased my goal.  I raised it to $650.  Then I surpassed that.  I raised it to $850. Then I surpassed that. So I got it in my mind that I was just gonna go to $1000.  Why not? If GOD saw fit me for me to seek this challenge, I was going to accomplish more than I could imagine.

When you think small ... you get small.  I can say even in auditions, I've doubted myself.  Thought I couldn't possibly book a job or even do well in the audition because maybe I felt inexperienced, I wasn't in shape or I didn't look young enough.  But there I go again. If GOD brought this audition/challenge to me then I must have what it takes to even be called in for it right?

I often underestimate myself. Why? Who knows. I guess we all have our issues. But we have got to seize each opportunity as if it were our last.  We have to go at it with everything we've got, especially if its something we really want.  When you put in the time and effort, "the work" to see it through, then only good things can come out of it. Whether I book the job or not, I still had the opportunity.  And who knows where that opportunity will lead me later on that month, that year, or just in life.

I am proud of myself that I was able to surpass my initial fund raising goal and raise the $1000 dollars I went for!!! I guess my career started out that way.  I kind of went in with small goals, wanting to do certain things, staying safe ...  but  I've put in the work, I know exactly where I want to go, what I want to do, where I want to be and I'm going go for it! I know I know, I went for it... I quit my job and I've successfully managed to have a career doing what I love.

But its time for my career, my LIFE to evolve with BIGGER hopes, dreams and purpose!  

As a team, we've managed to raise close to $2000. By the time I finish writing this we may have hit that mark.  But even if we didn't, we still went further than we ever expected.  And well, that's pretty awesome.

Until Next Time ... THINK BIG!!

Stand or WALK for Something

As I get older, I realize the importance of giving back.  Whether its to family and friends, or to a complete stranger, the feeling of helping someone just because or for a cause, brings me in closer presence with GOD and HIS purpose for us here on earth.

I've encouraged others through conversations or a card. I've given away tons of clothing that were too small or I haven't even worn. I've helped clean houses, served the homeless and prayed for others.  But my mission seems to go a lot farther than that.  Or maybe its just doing 'more' of it.

In 3 days I'll be participating in the MS Walk in Washington DC.  I'll be walking in honor of two friends with the disease as well as for others affected by Multiple Sclerosis.  One friend has had it for 14 years now and she's doing unbelievably well. She has been able to manage the disease without prescribed medicines.  However, the disease affects everyone differently.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society raises money every year to continually provide treatment and hopefully, one day find a cure!

We only started 3 weeks ago to try and raise funds and our goal was small because we wanted to be realistic about starting kind of late.  However, we have tripled our goal and are still working to raise money up until the walk on Saturday.  I am so excited and thrilled about being a part of this movement.

I've never done anything like this before but this experience, thus far, shows me the impact I can have on others to stand for something.  To show others that I don't mind giving of my time, energy or even money to support them during life changing experiences.   I'm just one person of many but we all should find the time to walk, fight, dance, run, donate ... make a difference in someone's life.

Until Next Time ... In the midst of pursuing your dreams, having families, partying, vacationing ... just living ... find time to make life count, not just for you, but for others too.