This weekend, I was handing out water at the 6-mile water station, and you marathoners have inspired me to set a goal of my own: complete a full marathon by December 2011.

With: Accompanied by, moving in the same direction, in concert and in proportion to something or someone.

For: In benefit of, or employed by someone or something.  In the service of someone or something.

As an idealist (according to Myers-Briggs, as well as the dictionary definition), I have a tough time dealing with offenses against the human spirit, and an even harder time dealing with what I consider at first to be offenses against my own human spirit (dreams, goals, ambitions, passions).  So it occurred to me, that perhaps the slight shift in usage between these two words might be a telling signal.

Consider phrases that use the preposition, “for:”

• I work a 9-5 job for Super Mega Corp.
• I make dinner for my family.

Now, consider:

• I work a 9-5 job with a team of bright and talented individuals.
• I enjoy an hour of my evenings with my family, cooking dinner, eating and talking about our days.

Again, it is subtle.  But I’m discovering that there is more power, and potentially more joy to be found by behaving collaboratively, building towards an ideal goal.  It starts with the way we focus our energy, and energy focus starts with the way we formulate our ideas and thoughts.  Life becomes less about enduring hardship, and more about overcoming it.  Choose a positive thought!

I am disappointed, especially since I’ve been training for the past three months, but at the same time, I know that there’s more glory in not finishing than there is in not starting.  I can’t say I didn’t try.

In all this bad news though, I am still well on track to participate in this year’s Chip’s Not Dead Yet Memorial Mile (which although timed, is more of a party than a race).  The idea is to celebrate the fact that we’re alive, and make use of our lives while we still have them.  We’re not dead yet!

That’s right, I have no shame.  I have resorted to using my blog to beg for money.  I’ve signed on with two events this spring and summer, to give some of my personal time and effort in support of two great causes.  I am collecting pledges for both events, and I know that you have it in your heart to find even as little as $5.00 in support.

The TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes is happening this May in Burnaby to raise money to help find a cure for diabetes.

Juvenile diabetes, or Type 1 diabetes, is a cruel disease that affects millions of people worldwide.  More than 15,000 in North America are diagnosed every year with Type 1 diabetes.  What’s that mean?

Of these 15,000 new cases per year in North America, we’re talking about kids who can’t have the normal childhood that most of us got the luxury of experiencing.  Kids who have to worry about needles, blood sugar, and insulin pumps.  Just listen to what these kids have to say about their affliction:

“I want to live someday without thinking about my diabetes. It’s a lot for a little kid to keep up with.” - Luke Varadi, 11, South Carolina

“Diabetes has made me different than all my friends. I have an extra burden to carry.” - Caroline McEnery, 17, Connecticut

Support my fundraising efforts for the TELUS Walk to Cure Diabetes

Chip’s Not Dead Yet Memorial Mile is happening again this year.  On June 20 once again this year, I will be running uphill along West 10th in Vancouver in support of the BC Children’s Hospital.

Running uphill is the easy part.  Life for the kids at BC Children’s Hospital isn’t.  BC Children’s Hospital admits close to  72,000 kids every year.  Every one of them is missing out on their chance to live and play like a normal kid.

Your donation today will go directly to help the BC Children’s Hospital help kids.  Money for equipment and research can be used right now to help ensure that every child in BC gets the opportunity to grow up and be a part of our community.

Support my fundraising efforts for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation

I know you’ll succumb to my shameless attempt at pulling on your heart strings.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

1. Determine what kind of difference you want to make. Positive changes are best.
2. Make this small change in your own life.
3. Tell somebody about it, or better yet, let people see for themselves how this small change affects you.

That’s it!

This year, the options are:

• Pooch Parade
• Superhero Half Mile(ish) – Family Wave
• High Heel Dash
• Timed Wave Race
• The Rock Star Wave
• Uniform Dash
• Bridal Dash
• Underwear Dash
• High School Elite Races
• $20,000 Elite Race

Help me decide!

Artist's rendering of Darryl as a Superhero

Darryl could be tossing the boquet at the finish line!

Even with the best of intention and planning, some things just don’t work out.  People say, “Well, you can’t say you didn’t try.”  I hate that – it’s as if the only thing we should be concerned with is P.R. and damage control on our failures; how to make ourselves look better.  It’s not about that.  Great people don’t care whether someone is going to make fun of them for trying.  Great people aren’t afraid to try.  We must own our failures and learn from them.  Didn’t do it right today?  Don’t worry, you’ll get another chance.

It’s always wonderful and frightening when we are given an opportunity to start something anew.  Like starting a new job, or moving to a new city.  Realize that you have that same opportunity every morning as the sun comes up, to choose how you want to go about your day.  You can make only one choice, so make it a good one.

I wish you all the best in 2009, and I hope that you’ll inspire me too!

(Also posted at changeeverything.ca)