Contributions

I went and participated in a March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon this morning, as my sister had enlisted me as part of her company team.  I ended up having a great time while getting a side benefit of exercising, while the walk made me contemplate having the ability to be grateful for good health.  There were many families and corporate teams there with the faces of a child on either a poster or on a t-shirt, that they were honoring as a result this event.  Along the way there were many volunteers that were holding up signs with statistics about children being born with health issues and how we have progressed with women being able to give life to healthier babies over the years.  I heard funny stories from some of the walkers as I weaved my way in and out of some groups.  There was also stories of how much money some people raised within their companies and how proud they were to have those donations being put forth for this cause.  I did some minor research and I found out that this initiative was started in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose purpose was to eliminate polio.  Via their efforts and through the money that they raised over the years, the vaccines that were discovered and eliminated polio came to fruition in the 1970's.  An enduring legacy for a President that was not able to see the eradication of that disease during his lifetime, however, the powerful legacy that he left behind was able to reach its goal and then some.  People coming together for a great cause can change the world and I was reminded of that today in many different ways.  That made me think a bit further about how much we hear in the news how people do bad or wrong things, while the news about the people that do good is not always on the front page.  This is where we still have some work to do as a society so that we change the course of what is important news for our children and the future generations to hear.  There is a lot of good in this world and there are shining examples of this across the globe, however, we need to highlight those good stories with others in order to be able to change the course of what is newsworthy.  There are many causes that we can lend our talents to and all we have to do is pick one and go from there in order to be part of the difference that we all want to see among us.  If there is an issue that is near and dear to your heart, then why not devote some of your time and talent in order to bring light to a place that may really need it.  Whether it is a fundraising or devoting your time and talent to a cause, your efforts will make a difference and in the end can change the life for someone else.  Do not think twice about what your involvement should be, just make sure that you contribute in any way possible.  Give freely of yourself and add value to something larger and you will find that your heart will be full and your energy will help change things for the better in the end, especially for yourself.