Take the "Un" out of Unhappiness and Be Grateful

Hello Friends,

Chapter 6 in my book is "Take the "Un" out of Unhappiness and Be Grateful". We get so caught up in deadlines, in relationships gone bad, in jealousy, in daily issues that at the end of the day are immaterial. Today I read an email that brought this message home to me. Last weekend, a group of 4000 cyclist took on a commitment to ride their bikes 50, 100 or 180 miles in the fight for cancer. They raised close to $8 million dollars! I was honored and happy to sponsor many friends. In the quest of thanking their donors and supporters, each one has sent a note of thanks after the race. Today, I received a note from one that outlined the events that happened....and here is what he said:

Saturday, the day of emotions. 6am – I am pumped from the previous night ceremonies. 7am – I am anxious at that start wondering which one of the four thousand riders I’m standing next to will crash me when the MC says ‘Go’. 12pm – I feel great riding, glad that all that training is paying off. 2:30pm - At mile 85 I am close to spent and just want to be done. 3:45pm - At the finish (mile 102), I see my family and close friend Curt who is one person I am fighting this cause for. Shower then dinner and huge celebration with friends, family and fellow riders. Life is good, right?



About 6:15 the Pelotonia Executive Director took the stage. The band stopped mid song and an eerie silence came over the crowd. Tom informed us that one of our fellow riders, Michelle Kazlausky, was fatally struck by a car along the bike route a couple hours ago. One of those ‘where were you when you heard?’ (space shuttle, Reagan, 911) messages. It’s been several days, and I think about that moment often. Before 6:15pm Saturday evening, Michelle was another face in the crowd and a fellow biker. In an instant, I’ll now remember her name for the rest of my life and will always think about the ultimate sacrifice she made in this effort to end cancer

There was a link to go to Michelle's donor page and in the last 4 days, there has been over $25,000 anonymous donors. Reading through them all, seeing messages of "In honor of you", "I wish I would have known you", "From a Fellow rider"....gave me Goosebumps to say the least. I cried for not only Michelle, but also for the fact that I am still living and need to be grateful for every single day. That I shouldn't waste my time with worry; I should live every day to the fullest. That's my new commitment, in honor of Michelle. What about you?