Pay It Forward

Last month I was SuperWoman.

Okay, maybe not officially SuperWoman, but I felt like it.

I organized two volunteer days at our local Soup Kitchen, for the cycling group to which I belong.  I had enough interest, that we reserved a two-hour time frame on a Thursday and a Friday, so that all who wanted, could participate.  Several fellow riders who were interested in helping, but could not take the time off work, donated much needed items to the Soup Kitchen.

It was amazing, and I hope to do it again in the spring.  We prepared meals and served food.  It was both humbling and rewarding.  I'm very aware that my family is very, very lucky.  If we need something, we usually get it.  I do not take my house, car, food and love for granted.  I know we are truly blessed to have ALL that we do. . .

My family is not wealthy.  If we were, I'd probably quickly put us into the poverty category with my book shopping and/or need to donate money to every possible charity.

BUT, I do have time.  I can give that - and I try to, whenever possible.
It feels good to give.

While at one of the Soup Kitchen events, a fellow cyclist asked if I was interested in running in a local 10-miler race.  "It's near Charlotte, I think it's the Gastonia 10-Miler," she said.  I like 10 miles.  I like local.  Sure, why not.

However, after I got home, and actually looked the race up, it is actually called the Spencer MOUNTAIN 10-Miler. . .for a reason.

See, the first 5 or so miles are relatively flat, but see the second half?  See all those ups and downs?  See that BIG UP about 7.5 miles into the race?  And it keeps going up. . .Yeah, that is Spencer Mountain.

Needless to say, I ran that race.  I ran that Mountain.  I can now never complain about a "hilly" race, because that one beats all others.

That said, today I ran the (very hilly, but no mountains!) Pay It Forward 5K.  This was an amazing race, put on by a wonderful woman, with an incredible theme.  Pay - It - Forward.  Every runner (and walker) who crossed the finish line was given a water bottle with money inside.  The amounts ranged from $10-$500.  Then, we can use that money to - Pay It Forward.  There was even a tent sent up at the finish with a list of local charities and items needed, if you needed some suggestions.

Pay It Forward.

I don't usually have money to give - just time, as I mentioned.  I really wanted that $500 because then I could have split it up among the many charities I would like to donate to - I got $20.  I am torn about donating to the Soup Kitchen - always a worthwhile charity, in my book.  Or also, tis' the season, I know some local teachers who could use a little "pick me up" and I am debating on surprising them with coffee one cold morning?

Or, I could just start to dig a little deeper, into my own pocket and do both - because really, giving feels just as good, if not better, than getting.

Pay It Forward.