Hope, strength and joy. For the past 30 years, leveraging these attributes to help enrich the human experience has been the mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. These same qualities also ring true throughout Raising The Bar — a personal journey that chronicles what I consider among the “defining moments” in my life.
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Some of us treat each moment as if it is as precious as gold. Others casually toss them away as “history,” while selectively remembering a few key events. As I mature, I seem to constantly ask myself two questions: Did specific moments make an impact on my life? And, how does the time I spend with others make an impact on their lives? Over the years, I have come to realize that it is not just the “big events” that define us, but rather a collection of all the moments that we encounter — no matter how big or seemingly small.
Originally released last summer in hard copy, I am re-introducing my book in a special electronic format with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana, Central Ohio Region.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions - progressive, degenerative or malignant conditions that have placed their health in jeopardy. They may wish to be a fireman for a day, visit a theme park or meet someone like an athlete or a movie star. These are things that will enrich not only the children and their families, but also the entire community.
In the book, I have highlighted the personal experiences that led me to question the conventional logic that dictates what people should expect out of life and out of themselves. Instead, I found my own solutions to the challenges I face and realized how examples of personal athletic achievement — including all those little moments along the way, both good and bad — can be transferred to all areas of life.
Please consider the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the children who haven’t yet had the opportunity and benefit to experience as many “moments” as the rest of us. Helping make these dreams come true creates a “defining” experience they will truly treasure throughout their lives.
Below is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to my sons that can be found at the end of Raising The Bar. Passion and dreams can turn into real moments. Moments that do make a lifelong impact.
“Life is a stopwatch that’s ticking backward toward the end. I know this sounds grim, but we all get caught up in things that ruin and waste our precious and limited time here on earth. We obsess all day long about such small things in our lives. Did the dog crap yet? When will she call? Why is my computer broken? Why did I miss a workout? Why is my shirt ruined? These things distract us from living our lives and from being happy and normal. When you’re passionate about something, you’re able to separate things. It gives you a sanctuary in which to collect yourself…”
Help these children follow their passion for a day and know that you have contributed to something they truly will remember.
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