Don't Stop Believing

If I had to create a bumper sticker that modeled my philosophy for life, it would be "don't stop believing." During the course of my life, I can honestly say I have met thousands of people, some friends and others are just people I interact with on a daily basis. What I have learned about these people is that they all have their own unique philosophy that keeps them motivated and that drives them to do something. For some time, I never really knew what my own philosophy was. In fact it took me over 18 years and walking 40 miles to realize that my philosophy is, "don't stop believing."

I am still unsure to this day as to what possessed me to sign up for the AVON walk for breast cancer last year, but I am still very happy that I did. Looking back now, I know why I walked this year. I walked for hope and to make a difference in many lives, but in order to make this difference, I had to overcome several obstacles of my own.

By signing up for the AVON walk for breast cancer, you, the walker, pledge to raise a minimum of $1,800.00. I was slightly pressed on time though because I only had about three weeks to raise that money! Having a quitter mentality, my instinct was to just quit. I thought about quitting but then I began to really think... "I don't want to look like a liar or a quitter" and "This is my chance to really make a difference." I knew at that point that I couldn't back down; I had to raise the money. Not only did I raise the money, but I also raised more. I raised $2,200 and the spirits of those who needed it. I became an inspiration for my peers all because I didn't stop believing in myself.

The next obstacle that came up was having to walk 40 miles. I assure you, that is a LONG distance to walk especially when the last 13 miles is done in pouring rain. I completed 15 miles without a problem, but then come miles 18-26, fatigue and pain really set in. Once again, quitting would be easy, but I knew everyone was counting on me to finish. I knew that I had gone too far even before I completed the first mile. I had to finish the 40 miles no matter how tired I was. I mustered up enough energy to finish the walk first with 3 other walkers. We held hands and crossed together, we finished the walk as a team and we battled breast cancer as a team! We didn't stop believing.

It is quite funny now that I look back on the walk. I grew so much as a person by doing the walk. I learned that if I really want to do something, I can do it. By following this philosophy, I firmly believe I can make a difference as long as I "don't stop believing."