Deep thought Tuesday 4: Do something that scares you

Dear world, please meet my friend Lisa.

Isn't she glamorous?  I wonder if she's planning to give me my hat back soon...

I am writing about her tonight because she has had a pretty incredible year that is worth mentioning.  The theme of her year is doing things she's afraid of, and while nude streaking in Times Square didn't make her list, other pretty cool things did.

Early in the year, she decided to shave her head for St. Baldricks, an organization dedicated to helping families with children battling cancer.  Please picture the most lush, curly, would-kill-your-stepsister-for, brown hair.  She had it.  A lot of it.  Yet somehow she became even more beautiful after it was gone.

Years ago, she used to sing, just like me.  And just like me, she put it away as a profession to join the real world who enjoy paying rent and such.  Adulthood calls.  This year she also got back on stage, with me, and sang her face off.  I'd say she sang her hair off, but it was already gone.

And finally, she got her ass on a bike and raised money for people battling homelessness and HIV status.  I had the pleasure of accompanying her from Boston to NYC on a bicycle.  

Oh yeah, she also has lost 35 lbs and counting on her fight to get healthy.

Reading this, I feel like a lazy punk.  At least I'm also going bald, it's just happening slower and doesn't really help kids, but I think my suffering makes the world a better place.

So why am I telling you about Lisa and her year of accomplishments?  Mostly to make you jealous of my awesome friends, but also to encourage all of us to carry this momentum forward into our own lives.  Because when I asked her what motivated her to have a year like this, she said it was because she felt her life was previously in a rut and she wanted to do things that scared her.

I still think Times Square streaking would have made a better story, but she did pretty well without it.

I wanted to tell her story because it reminds me of the passion I occasionally find in my life that pushes me forward.  It reminds me of how I can be a better man by pushing my own boundaries.  It reminds me that being scared of things is really just an opportunity waiting to happen.

Here are her words on reflecting on these experiences, "The greatest part is everything I have gotten out of this year.  I made amazing friends, I rode a bike after not being on one since I was a kid.  I raised ~ $6000 for 2 amazing organizations, I shared a stage with an incredibly multi talented friend, I've let myself believe in myself again and I kinda dig it."

Isn't that last line poignant?  "I've let myself believe in myself again and I kinda dig it."  Friends, if that isn't poetry then Walt Whitman was a boob.

I'm left reflecting how often I don't believe in myself.  I wonder how many of my readers do the same absurd trick to themselves now and then.  I ponder how different our world would be if we could all channel this drive to change; to grow; to live.

Saying I am proud of Lisa and her accomplishments sounds childish and stupid.  I am overwhelmed by what she has done.  It's a funny thing when a teacher is taught by the student; it's an opportunity for them both to grow together.

Here's hoping that a blog entry I'll write in the near future tells you about fears I have faced and hurdles I have overcome.  Perhaps we can find them together?

Deep thought tuesday 3: Giving Back

Let's be honest.  I am pretty much the luckiest bastard to walk the Earth.  Well... if we count Channing Tatum, I'm the second luckiest bastard.  I have a great life, a partner who is loving and supportive, a job at which I thrive, and I get to do Ironman races because I find them strangely enjoyable.  Really?  The next time I have a bad day, please remind me to read this.

The point of this blog post, and perhaps on a much larger scale, is the importance of giving back and helping others.  This weeks entries will all have to do with one big event in my life: BRAKING AIDS Ride, a bike ride from Boston to NYC over 3 days raising money for Housing Works.  If I tried really hard, I bet I could squeeze another hyperlink into this paragraph, no?  People who click hyperlinks go to heaven, I'm just sayin'.

If you don't know about Housing Works, here is the cliff notes version.  The organization started back in the 80's when the AIDS crisis was gaining steam.  Due to the misinformation, and lack of information, a great deal of stigma arose around those who where HIV+ often leading them to lose their jobs and eventually homes.  Housing Works was founded to help these folks find homes and get back on their feet.  Today, every person who is accepted into their program get a guaranteed position within their chain of retail stores.  Not many of us have ever experienced homelessness, with or without a positive diagnosis of HIV.  To find a place that gets you back on your feet, puts a safe roof over your head, and gives you a job?  I can't imagine the feeling of hope and salvation that must bring, and in so many ways, I hope I never am in a position to feel that for myself.

So for the 7th time, I will get on my bike and ride.  You have to raise money to do this ride of course, to the tune of at least $3500.  Why do I do this?  Why do I pester my friends year after year to donate money (yes! another one!)?  It is because it's what I know I can do to make a difference.  It's how I know to help.

So imagine my surprise this year when the ride producers asked me to be the designated speaker at the closing ceremonies (last one, I swear).  To say this is an honor would be to compare peanut butter to almond butter.  There is just no comparison or equivalent.

I have to admit that I don't know entirely what I plan to say.  All the more reason to show up to see me tank, right?  Normally the person they ask to do this is a freakin' hero.  A veritable rock star.  A story that not only inspires but also makes you desperate to do something to change the world.  What the hell am I compared to that?  If you think of something, please let me know!

I plan to say something along the lines of why I ride.  Why, for the seventh time, I am going to sit on a seat the size of a deck of cards for 3 straight days solid.  Why I work so hard to raise this money.  I'll say something along the lines of, "because it makes the world just a little bit better."

If you should find yourself in the NYC area, specifically the East Village, this Sunday afternoon, do something good for yourself and see this event.  It is heartwarming and gives you perspective like you can't imagine.  I also don't play for audiences smaller than 1000, so show up so we don't have an embarrassing diva moments.

Here's to helping those who need it and unexpectedly helping yourself along the way.

Look, it's me.  Down front and center, of course...