Fit and Hungry

The earthquake that has devastated Haiti has devastated me.  This incident has put me in such a funk: I feel useless and sad. However, I’ve committed to turning my funk into action. (Because being in a funk is rough. You’re in it but you don’t know how you got there nor how long you will stay.)

Here are four ways you can help Haiti, and yourself:

1. DONATE to relief efforts in Haiti. www.redcross.org is a safe route. I will be donating to the Yele Haiti Foundation.

2. APPRECIATE what you have: shelter, life, breath, opportunity.

3. CONGREGATE with people you care about. listen when they talk. make them laugh. forgive them. love them. protect them.

4. EDUCATE yourself. read more books. travel. expose yourself to different people, different perspectives. get uncomfortable. broaden your view. step out of your box and see the world.

You have a gift.  Something special, unique, and useful you can offer to someone. Maybe you can’t help the people in Haiti but you can help the people in your backyard. Use that beautiful voice to sing to kids at a daycare center. Use your hands to pick up the phone and call someone you know would love to hear from you. Use those tap dancing legs to entertain the homeless gathered at the K street park. Use those big biceps to pick up beer bottles that litter playgrounds. Use your words to make your mother feel appreciated. Use your ears to listen to old people tell stories. Use your fingers to create: Draft the first chapter of your book. Hold a hand. Paint a picture. Write a love letter.

Turn this tragedy into opportunity. An opportunity to do better. To do right. Use this to spark a change in your life. Allow it to manifest within you a desire to make a difference wherever you are, with whomever you touch.

The time is now. Leave your mark.