Donation Total

Hi all,

One thought away donations through 9/30/12 = $455.20

Not quite as much as I hoped to raise, but every little bit counts.

Thank you again,

Miles

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Last Spring I had this crazy idea to run a marathon sparked by a coworker on a random afternoon at work (thank you Korie!).  I then had a crazier idea to tell a bunch of different people and raise money for an orphanage over 3,000 miles away through the Portland based non-profit Ncompass*.  Thank God for crazy ideas.

Thank you for kindling this spark that allowed me to finish my first marathon yesterday and shed a little light on the power we ALL have that is only One Thought Away.

*Keep in touch at http://www.facebook.com/worldncompass for fundraising totals that are currently being calculated.  Didn't have a chance to donate?  Navigate at the following site to make your tax deductible donation:  https://dlq4.donatelinq.net/qv10/Donation.aspx?MerchantID=NCompass

Let it Shine

So here we are: the final week before the big race.  Since I started running and blogging last May I have logged over 275 miles, written 14 blogs and been encouraged by many family and friends along the way.  The hope has always been that through these many months and miles the concept of “one thought away” would spark the mind, heart and spirit of those who took a moment to read.  Although the tangible goal at the beginning was to spur prayer and financial support for the children at Maranatha House in Titanyen Haiti, I soon realized this concept had a larger scope (stay tuned after Oct. 7^th on fundraising results).  I have heard many stories of people applying this concept in their personal lives as they face their own “marathons” in life.  What is your “marathon” and why do you run it? I have asked this before, but I emphasize it because it is important.  The reason?  Every fire has a spark and without that spark your world remains dark.

Sparks may start small, but anyone who has seen a fire start knows how quickly a spark can transform into a roar of orange and flickering blue flames.  During my summers fighting forest fires I remember seeing fires that were hot enough to burn roots from trees and crack rocks.  Many of these fires were started by lightning strikes; in other words a spark.  This spark would grow by igniting easier to burn objects such as grass, underbrush, or sometimes would smolder for days before growing exponentially with a gust of wind.  Our aspirations and thoughts are best described in the same way.  We all have sparks; they happen daily.  The problem is we too often let someone extinguish them with their negativity and doubt before they grow to a large scale.  Let’s be honest, sometimes that “person” is ourselves not being patient enough to let the spark build.  There is a passage out of the Bible (Mark 7) that says it is not what comes into a person’s body, but what comes from within a person’s heart that allow evil thoughts to contaminate us.  Let your spark burn and light shine within because you can be your own best ally, or your own best enemy.

Logically, it is easier for your light to shine in ideal conditions (e.g. surrounded by positive people, or people of the same likes/dislikes).  In fact sometimes it may seem like you do not need your light when you are surrounded by light (have you ever seen someone use a flashlight in broad daylight?).  However, your light is brightest in the dark; I guarantee it.  You could be in the middle of the woods with just a camp fire yet it provides a sense of security and comfort despite being surrounded by darkness.  You will go through dark times and going off of last week’s blog you need to remember those around you will, or are going through dark times as well (unemployment, depression, divorce, death, anger, slavery, etc.).  Like any fire it needs fuel, so remember to sharpen your axe (reference last week’s blog) and feed the right wolf within (reference 9/1/12 blog) to ensure you don’t burn out (hint: God’s light within is everlasting J). 

Remember that all fires start with a spark; be patient and don’t be your own worst enemy.  To be transparent, I am writing this specific blog on a day when I had a bad night and a bad morning based on negative thoughts.  However, you have all helped me build a roaring fire that isn’t so easily put out by one bad day.  Your spark is one thought away and your fire not only brightens your life, but shines for those around you who may need a little kindling.  Remember to let your light shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Cutting Out Time for Others

On Wednesday I was sitting by myself at the Dallas airport as I wrote this. I couldn't help but watch all the people as they walked by and wondered what they were thinking and where they may be going.   Are they going on vacation?  Are they going somewhere for business? Or possibly going somewhere they do not wish to go?  I caught myself and realized one reason I was able to do this was because I had plenty of time to observe (long layover).  How many times are we out and about and we go into autopilot?  Sometimes our own personal thoughts are so powerful that we overlook the ones around us and instead keep too much focus on ourselves.

A perfect example of this is when my friends and I were preparing to out process in order to come back home these past few days.  I know I caught myself focused on what I had to do to be ready; focused on what was important to me and sometimes tuning out those around me who may or may not have been doing the same.  What good are powerful thoughts if they only serve our own purpose?  Thinking about it that way makes one selfish.  Sure, there are times when we need some "me" time; this goes along with the concept of putting your face mask on first before helping others (sorry, just received the standard "this is how to not die" safety briefing from American Airlines so I had to incorporate it :-).

However, our end goal needs to be how our thoughts will impact others.  I need to remember this when I run and train because my thoughts have the potential to positively affect a group of people that could really use it in Haiti.  What is on your to-do list today? Think about what is on the list and honestly ask yourself how that benefits someone else.  If it doesn't, why is it important?

Now, if you fell because you stumbled over my unintended guilt trip please take this moment to gather yourself and stand up.  Thinking with others in mind does not need to be super complicated.  A simple prayer when you see an ambulance speed by or taking a moment to hold a door open are all simple examples that show your intent of thinking of someone else.  Remember to take care of yourself along the way because it makes you more effective at the task at hand.  I am a history nerd and one of my favorite characters in history is Abraham Lincoln.  One story about this legendary President is that he was given 5 hours to cut down a large tree and was asked how he would approach the task at hand.  Before getting to work he took the first 2 hours to sharpen his axe.

Keep your axe sharp but remember it is no good if you don't go out and use it and cut some time out for others.  Get to it, chop chop J

Saying Goodbye is a Trip

When you go on a trip you tend to see a lot.  In fact some trips are for that fact alone; to sight see.  One might take the long way home to catch the sunset, or plan a weekend in the city and take in all the sights and sounds.  This is no different when you run; the views may be a bit more bouncy, but the point remains you cannot help but be impacted by it.  For myself, the most notable impact comes from the people I meet along the way.  For nearly four months I have had a great run from Portland, to San Antonio to Biloxi and have been positively impacted by some great people (and you thought a marathon was a long run).  However, just like every book has chapters, I make my way back to Portland next week and am forced to say goodbye as I turn another page in my life.

Turning the page is bittersweet.  On one hand you are leaving a time when you might have grown a lot, or had a lot of fun.  On the other hand you are moving on to life’s next adventure to experience new things.  I think back on some of my difficult goodbyes.  Heading to college realizing I was 4 hours from home and feeling like I was starting from scratch.  I think about leaving Seattle, a great job and promising opportunity.  Goodbyes like these were tough at the time, but each of them lead to something greater.  Being away from home in college allowed me to grow up and become an adult.  Moving to Portland from Seattle made me put my money where my mouth was if I really believed that family and relationships were values I prioritized.  Take a moment and think about a goodbye that was difficult for you and how it impacted you?

I know I am coming at this with a “cup is half full” optimism that not everyone will agree with.  I can see why because the bitter to the sweet is that goodbyes tend to plain suck to be blunt.  They are like eating a pudding cup and realizing it is almost all gone.  You were excited when it started, but are sad to see it come to an end.  However, there is a lot of pudding in life so don’t dwell when you finish one; grab another (TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A HEALTHY EATING TIP, IT IS AN ANALOGY! J).

On a more serious note I want to emphasize the point of this blog; thoughts are powerful.  The thought of saying goodbye is powerful in its’ weight on each of our lives because they are hard, but necessary.  My encouragement for everyone is this: a goodbye might be hard in the moment, but you don’t know how it will positively impact you in the long run (remember also God has a funny way of putting old friends back into your life later).  Life is not a sprint, it is a marathon so keep running and take in the view; I know I will.  

The Art of the March

While at Keesler I have the privilege to march flights (common word used for groups) of Airmen from as little as 4 to as large as 49.  I use the word privilege very deliberately because leading a flight puts a flight commander (the one leading the flight) in charge of how well the entire flight performs and most importantly their safety.  Little nuances develop when magnified by dozens of Airmen doing them at synchronized moments.  For instance, making a left turn and then making a sharper left turn can quickly make a fine looking flight look like a disaster (trust me, I know).  Additionally, things like all Airmen marching in step with limited to no movement from their waste up is a recipe for a well performing flight as is keeping in line with the Airmen to your side.  You might be reading this and be thinking “what is the big deal?”.  The big deal is that how we conduct ourselves during the “little things in life” reflects our integrity and discipline in how we will conduct ourselves when given more responsibility.  A lesson that is invaluable given the important responsibility that is granted to those who actively serve, have served and will serve in the U.S. military.    

One of the first things an Airman learns in basic training is how to march.  As far as the power of one thought it is pretty simple enough; moving groups of people from point A to point B in an orderly fashion.  During training we start out with the fundamentals and gradually piece them together as we become more proficient.  If you asked some you might get answers that it is a waste of time, or that it is pointless.  However, ask someone that understands it better and you will see why it is ingrained in the training process for thousands of trainees year after year.  My explanation simple: marching is a practical tool that instills discipline in those involved that crosses over in our daily lives.

Marching is not a new concept.  In the U.S. military it dates all the way back to revolutionary times with George Washington’s Army with the help of Prussian officer Baron von Steuben with the intent to quickly assemble troops in tactical formations and instill discipline.  This tradition has carried on today despite the modernization of the nations’ military.  From my point of view it is easy to see why.

Just as the flight must keep this lesson in mind so should the flight commander who sets the tone for the entire flight.  When a flight commander remembers he/she is there to put service before self and confidently lead their flight with discipline it translates into a group of men and women who are more likely to trust their leader and strive to do the little things right.  Each little critique and little correction in marching can be seen as the finely brushed strokes that make up the finishing touches to a fine piece of art.  As you go about your day remember the little things in life and the discipline that allows you to focus on them.  March on and paint your masterpiece. 

Two Wolves to Feed

Have you ever been so angry you can hardly stand it?  You know what I am talking about.  I’m talking about that “Monday afternoon stuck in rush hour, you just got cut off in traffic and you have a million things to get done at home and not enough time” feeling.  We all have different ways to handle this and personally I have found running helps.  This past week it was very therapeutic as I dealt with things here as the effects of home sickness started to get stronger.  As I ran I felt great as I broke out to a fast pace for the first couple miles of my run.  “BAM BAM BAM” as my feet slapped the pavement at a brisk pace.  The interesting thing is my overall pace was slower because I started out too fast.  This got me thinking of how different powerful feelings motivate us.

Anger is a powerful feeling that can be shown in outbursts, but how long can you sustain it?  I feel anger, even righteous anger, can only power you for so long before your tank runs out.  The days I have ran with anger as my true motivator I have ran the slowest in the long run (although it acts as a great venting method for anger).  What has motivated me during my best runs?  The answer to that is when I am focused on the children over in Haiti that I am raising money for.  I envision specific children that I saw when I visited and I link it with recent news of hurricane Isaac moving through Haiti and its’ disastrous impact.  I would summarize this feeling as a feeling of love, or more specifically compassion.  The word compassion defined as “to suffer with”, or to be moved to act for another.  Whereas anger is a flare that is bright and powerful that extinguishes over time, I argue that compassion is a fire within that burns steady and strong and will only go out if we fail in fueling it.

Which one will you choose: anger, or compassion?  As a member of the 336^th Red Wolves Training Squadron I find the following short story perfect for explaining how we all answer this question.

                                                        

A Cherokee elder sitting with his grandchildren told them, “In every life there is a terrible fight—a fight between two wolves. One is evil: he is fear, anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, and deceit. The other is good: joy, serenity, humility, confidence, generosity, truth, gentleness, and compassion.” A child asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The elder looked him in the eye. He answered“The one you feed.”

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend.

Hurricanes and Hope

As some of you have followed, Hurricane Issac is currently making its’ way across the Gulf as it contemplates where to land.  Experts expect it to hit somewhere between Louisiana and Florida.  A quick glance at a map will show you Keesler Air Force Base lies right in the middle of those two points.  So as we here at Keesler prepare for another week of class and training we also prepare to welcome our stormy friend Issac.

Before we talk about where the hurricane is going let’s talk about where it has been.  The last couple days have been tense for areas in the Caribbean including the orphanage that I am running for in Titanyen Haiti.  While mudslides, tragic stories of deaths and injuries occurred across a still healing country I received a message of hope this morning.  The Maranatha House passed the storm with relatively little damage despite the strong winds and rain (damage did occur on parts of the roof on the cafeteria building).  Part of this has been because of money raised for new buildings on the compound in the past and most recently strong window shutters (installed within the last 2 weeks) that kept the weather at bay.  It is wonderful to have sincere prayers answered and to express to you all that your support and donations equate to the protection and service for a country and people that is far from recovered. 

I had hope for Haiti with the hurricane approaching this past week and that hope was fulfilled.  I remind myself of that hope this week as Issac is likely to become more up close and personal for those along the U.S. Gulf Coast including myself.  The power of one thought has shown and will continue to show itself in different ways in our lives.  Currently it is rearing its’ head as a thought of hope.

Hope has come in handy this past week as I think beyond the current hurricane situation.  I have been motivated and inspired by having people read my blog and wish me encouragement.  In fact a close relative has chosen to run the marathon with me after hearing about this blog.  However, with all of this positive I face the grim reality of the financial goals of the One Thought Away project.  My original goal of $3,400 set in May seems hard to accomplish with donations totaling less than $1,000 thus far.  I know I am not running in vain as I already have seen positive change in people through this even if we never raised a single dollar. 

However, powerful thoughts lead to powerful actions and I hope the powerful thoughts that you all have shared with me and those that kindle inside you will manifest into powerful actions.  Please understand that the dollars donated do not sit idle, but are managed to have the largest impact possible for the Maranatha Village orphanage and the immediate Titanyen community such as the recent shutters installed at the orphanage.  In a recent interview ABC news reported:

“Jean-Robert Sauviren, an unemployed 63-year-old father of six said as he stood barefoot in the water and held aloft his arms. ‘Maybe we don't deserve anything.’”

We need powerful actions because that is what allows us to put shutters on buildings to protect from hurricanes, it is what allows us to rush the children to Cholera clinics and it is what allows us to remind a burdened group of people that they are loved and cared for and they do count for something.

I have hope you read this.  I have faith you will act on how you feel drawn to.  I have love that love is the reason we will act.

Hope, faith and love; what else do we need? J

Read my original post on details of how you can support here

http://miles-dodge.blogspot.com/2012/05/one-thought-away.html

Just Run

Have you ever heard the phrase paralysis by over analysis?  I suffer from this condition from time to time.  It describes the condition when one is so concerned with preparation, or analyzing a situation to an extreme where they actually do not do anything.  This morning was a perfect example.  I was having trouble with my phone app that measures how much I run which allows me to post maps for you all to track my progress.  I literally spent 15 minutes tapping my phone and talking to my phone and to myself trying to get it to work.  Phrases like “come on come on, hurry up, please just work!” and thoughts of when my next phone upgrade sprinted through my head.  Then it hit me of why I was out there.  I was out there to run.  Not to spend my morning fiddling with my phone and getting frustrated.  Do not misunderstand me.  I still feel preparation and measuring success is important for the long run, but in situations like this morning it shouldn’t take away from that core purpose of what you are doing. 

With this in mind I put my iTunes on shuffle and just ran.  Running without a pace in my head, or a focus on how much longer I had to run, I just ran; it was a liberating feeling.  A feeling that I invite you all to allow in your life from time to time during the course of your schedules, appointments and must dos.  Let your feet hit the ground and feel that freedom in each step and just run.  The longer you run you are reminded of the powerful thoughts within you.  The thoughts of ones far away that you care for, thoughts of past, present and future and thoughts of ones who inspire you to run. 

You have probably realized by now that running is just a vehicle or metaphor that represents different situations in our lives.  This post is no different.  When you find yourself this week overthinking something, or having anxiety over preparing for something remember what you read here.  Don’t let overthinking stop you in your tracks, just run.  

Miles

*http://theforgetfulwife.com/13-1/

Excellence In All We Do...Little Things Make Big Things Happen

The third and final core value of the Air Force is “Excellence In All We Do”.  When I think of excellence I am reminded of one of my favorite role models 10 time NCAA Basketball Champion Coach John Wooden.  My admiration for him goes beyond his success on the basketball court to include his entire approach to life on and off the court.  He coached and practiced excellence in all he did.  Practices began and ended at specific times because he believed in maintaining discipline and a balanced schedule to ensure time for things such as family.  So focused on detail that he taught how to properly wear your basketball socks to prevent the possibility of blisters.  With a keen eye on such meticulous detail Coach Wooden believed in making “each day a masterpiece” and exemplified the core value excellence in all we do.

When basic military training was beginning and our group of 48 young men in Flight 475 were being introduced to the core values I thought of leaders like Coach Wooden and how high of a standard excellence is to live up to.  The first couple of weeks it would be safe to say our flight struggled to obtain excellence as we went through what many call the “forming, storming, norming and performing” cycle that describes how new groups behave when coming together.  However, just like a runner pushes past that mental wall to get that extra mile, or refuse to hit the snooze button on a Saturday morning to go train we kept pushing forward.  We were not without our struggles, or day to day failures, but who isn’t?  Coach Wooden believed “Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be” and so what did we do?  We learned from our mistakes, we developed, we changed and each found our roles on the team and strove for excellence in those roles daily.  The result?  Flight 475 walked away with the following honors.

·        

• Beast Excellence:  Awarded to the winning zone of a 5 day outdoor simulated deployment exercise between all squadrons.
• Warrior Flight:  Awarded to flights achieving a point threshold recognizing achievements in military training over the span of 8 weeks (the only Warrior flight out of all squadrons)
•  7 Honor Graduates:  Awarded to individual Airman who graduate in the top 10% of all graduates
•  Honor Flight:  Awarded to the best flight in their graduating class

It was very exciting to be a part of this and even more excited in how we did it.  We paid attention to the little details like reading directions, keeping our arms straight while marching and keeping our bearing when asked questions.  This is exciting because it gives us all the potential to be excellent in all we do by doing the little things with excellence.  Coach Wooden says it best, “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen“.  What is your big thing and what little things are keeping you from it?

Do not be afraid of failing when striving for excellence, but also do not be afraid to strive. 

I triple dog dare you J.

Miles

P.S.  Thank you everybody for your support.  I am still collecting donations for the cause in Haiti with Ncompass.  If you have been following this for a while and feel moved to support more read over how to donate here: http://miles-dodge.blogspot.com/2012/05/one-thought-away.html.



Sources
*http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/06/08/committed-to-excellence-a-tribute-to-john-wooden/

Service Before Self...a snowball in Mississippi

Continuing on from last week’s post today we take a look at the core value of “Service Before Self”.  With that in mind I want to focus on some of the people I have been blessed to meet during my short time with the Air Force who have put service before self.

Standing in line to pick up my dry cleaning last week I overhear an Airman in front of me.  I catch part of what he says and realize he is Haitian; what are the odds?  Over the past week I have had a chance to speak with Kender.  A man from Massachusetts proud of his family and more than happy to discuss the intricacies of communicating whether it be body language, English, or French.  Someone who has dreams; dreams that include serving those in his family, in his neighborhood back home and this country.

Switching gears slightly.  I am staring at my training plan and am distracted by the pain in my foot while I wonder how to keep up my training without causing a more serious injury.  Ask and you shall receive.  Along with a number of tips from friends from back home I also meet Airman Ehler from Ohio.  I realize he is a former Division I long distance runner.  What are the odds?  After further discussion with him I gain a friend willing to coach me on running and someone here to serve his country plain and simple.

The fact I am in the same squadron at Keesler with a Haitian and an experienced long distance runner while training for a marathon to support a Haitian orphanage may be chalked up as a cool coincidence.  The fact I run into Airmen daily who are here to serve others is not a coincidence.  I am very proud to be a part of the Air Force and have learned a lot about service from those around me.  Seeing others serve inspires oneself to serve others.  That creates a service snowball effect that has the potential to grow and grow.  Notice those serving around you and let it build you, but don’t let the snowball stop with you; keep rolling along and serve others.  Who knows, you might be the start of an avalanche.

Integrity First...being consistent in the little things

Greetings!

I am excited to be writing again on this blog and reconnect with all those supporting the One Thought Away project that will culminate in me running the Portland Marathon October 7^th.  I am also excited because the fact that I am writing you means I now have internet access which I have not had since May due to Air Force basic military training.  Thanks for being patient J

Based on the ultimate goal of this blog being to dialogue the power of one thought, I felt it would make sense to reflect on how the last 2 months of my life in training connects to this concept.  In my modest attempt to describe a challenging and transformative 8 week process I will break it down in a three part series.  Each piece will connect to one of the three core values of the Air Force: Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do.

Integrity First

What can making your bed correctly and folding your clothes teach someone about integrity?  This is a thought a basic trainee has a lot of time to ponder as he or she attempts to master a hospital corner at 4:45am morning after morning, or roll a pair of socks perfectly.  Once you can understand the meaning behind such tasks it makes perfect sense.  Attention to detail and doing something the right way is the goal.  If they cannot trust you to roll socks properly why should the world’s most powerful air force trust you to handle top secret data or equipment worth millions?

In the course of 8 weeks I noticed the majority of mistakes made by myself and my flight mates were due to poor attention to detail or inconsistency in such simple tasks.  This translates to a lack of integrity at certain moments because we were not always consistent.  Keeping in mind the logic mentioned above around why doing simple tasks correctly is important you can see how this is detrimental. 

Speaking of myself I received corrections for such things as missing a spot on my neck shaving, or not putting my shoes in the correct order under my bed (both are basic expectations during training).  I remember in these early mistakes I caused them for two reasons.  First, I let fatigue get the best of me and rushed in order to get done sooner.  Second, I felt what I had done was “good enough”.  That my friend is where the danger lies!  Allowing the power of a negative thought to creep in and to accept it can be a slippery slope to settling for less.  To counter this we need to remember to be disciplined, pay attention to detail and have integrity.  Integrity is not doing something right once, or twice. 

Integrity is doing something right consistently whether someone is watching, or not.   Actions whether good or bad go beyond representing yourself; they also speak for who you represent.  On my uniform there are two names across my chest.  One is "Dodge" and the other is "U.S. Air Force".  You better believe I want to make both those namesakes proud. Who do you represent with your actions?

When you find yourself getting lazy, or letting your guard down remember this one thought: integrity first. 

Yes, even if it is rolling a pair of socks J

Miles

Keep your eye out next week for a piece connecting to Service Before Self and the connection to the power of one thought.

Ncompass Video Post from this past weekend's fundraiser dinner...less than 3 minutes.

CHECK IT OUT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9honzfH2o4o&feature=youtu.be

Cleared for Takeoff

Hi all, thanks again for stopping by.

This past week was an eventful one in many ways.  We held our annual Ncompass fundraiser dinner last night in Tigard and it was a great success with familiar as well as new faces attending just as the miles Miles runs for training increase (yes I just used a pun in third person :).  I am excited to see the success of One Thought Away as it sparks future progress in Haiti as well as your personal lives.  Feel free to post your own progress on the blog or on Facebook to share!

On top of this I heard a piece of official news I have been waiting on since this past Fall.  On Wednesday May 23rd I will be flying to Lackland Air Force Base to attend basic training followed by specialized training at Keesler Air Force Base until the end of September.

Enlistment Ceremony

This is likely unexpected news to most and familiar news to some.  The idea of serving my country in a proactive way through military service has appealed to me since college as well as the special opportunity to develop as a leader in such a service centered organization as the U.S. military.  The tipping point to apply this past year was seeing how it would further benefit me in going back to school and where I am at in life since moving back to Portland just a year ago.

What a better way to train for a marathon right?  To reassure you, I am still committed to the October 7th race date and finishing this leg of my journey you have helped me start.  I will do my best to keep people posted during my time away, but there may be gaps in postings based on the nature of where I will be.

I feel nervous, anxious and also very excited, which is normal I suppose.  Please keep me in your prayers and thoughts and I will do likewise; deal? :)

How about you?  Are you entering a new chapter of your life?  A new beginning, or new transition?  Where are your thoughts at?

From August 2011 Trip

Thoughts can be powerfully negative, or they can be powerfully positive.  Treat your mind like a garden.  Nurture the positive thoughts that you planted as seeds of hope at one point and enjoy the produce.  At the same time be aware of the weeds of negativity so they do not overtake you; pull them up by the roots because they can grow back fast if you don't.

Have a great week and keep an eye out for new posts AND DON'T FORGET TO TELL MORE PEOPLE ABOUT ONE THOUGHT AWAY!...just read the original post of this blog for the background of this project.

Thank you all for your support, it is amazing to see all who are getting behind this.

Miles

P.S. Feel free to write me if you have specific questions, or if you would prefer dropping off a check compared to using the online donating method.

Happy Mother's Day!

Here we are a week into this One Thought Away experience and I have been blown away by the amount and variety of support I have received.  It really means a lot.  First thing is first though for this blog.  If you have not talked to your mom today, sent her a note, or at least spent a moment reflecting on the importance of moms in general you need to pause reading this and go and do that ASAP!

If it weren't for moms we would not be here; literally (I'm no biology major, but I understand the basics :) ).   I know I am very blessed to have a mom that has supported me and has loved me throughout my life no matter where my path has taken me.  In fact, my path this coming Saturday the 19th will be at the annual Ncompass fundraiser dinner in Tigard (the organization I am raising money through) where I am fortunate to have my mom and dad drive the 4.5 hours to be in attendance.  We have a few more tickets available in case people were free FYI.

However, as I write these words I am reminded of the reality of this world.  Some of us do not have moms, or in some cases have been separated from them for whatever reason.  This is a common reality in the Maranatha House orphanage in Titanyen Haiti.  Some of their moms have left, some have died and some cannot support all their children.  Thankfully places like the Maranatha House exist to help mitigate this tragedy.

Perhaps you connect with the experience of always having a supportive mom, or maybe your experience is more aligned with the absence of a mom for whatever reason.  Whichever the case, take a moment and reflect on how this has shaped your life and how this experience connects you, however loosely, or closely with your brothers and sisters near you and across the globe.  

I write this to paint a brief picture in words of the reality that exists in Haiti.  I write this to emphasize how much it means to me and most of all to them that you have, are and continue to show support.

Thank you for giving it a thought,

Miles

Follow me on Twitter

https://twitter.com/#!/MilesDodge

Background on Cause and How to Donate
http://miles-dodge.blogspot.com/

One Thought Away!

Hi everybody, I am kicking off this blog by giving you a run down of what I am doing and why I am doing it.  Thanks for stopping by!

The Maranatha Village orphanage in Titanyen Haiti is approximately 3,400 miles away from Portland.  However, for someone who has been there they know it is much closer; it is one thought away.  One thought of a welcoming smile, one thought of an endless game of paddy cake, or one thought of a choir of orphans singing at night.  It is also one thought away from a different perspective.  One thought of the glazed eyes of a malnourished child, one thought of the realities of cholera on a 12 year old, or one thought of piles of trash stretching for miles and miles under 100 degree heat.

There are so many things in life we do not do because we place limits on ourselves; we convince ourselves we cannot do it by placing a thought in ourselves that we cannot.  This may include limiting ourselves from serving those in need 3,400 miles away in Haiti, or it may mean something very different in your personal life.  Whether it is “I can’t” or “I can”, each is one thought away.

My hope is that we build off the energy these thoughts possess and push the limits of what we think we can do by sharing my own journey from “I can’t” to “I can”.  As someone who has never ran more than 6 miles at one time I thought to myself one day of the many doubts in being able to run the 26.2 miles needed to complete a marathon.  My second thought was how overcoming this could cause a ripple effect of others overcoming their own doubts.  With that in mind I have signed up for the 2012 Portland Marathon.

By pushing my limits I hope to raise funds for the 41 child orphanage in Titanyen Haiti for things they doubt they can have (see below) through the Portland based nonprofit Ncompass* as well as spark a fire in your own life to push the limits of what you think you can do.  Doing something amazing in your life is one thought away.

Specific projects funds will go to:

·         Window shutters

·         School costs

·         Microfinance

·         New stoves

·         Well costs

My goal is to raise $3,400 (one dollar for every mile from Portland to Titanyen, Haiti) by race day October 7th.  Ways you can support this effort include:

·         Spreading this message to friends and family

o   Posting info on your Facebook wall, Twitter, or other social media

o   Word of mouth

o   Your organizations, clubs, or networks

·         Keeping the children of the orphanage and myself in your prayers and thoughts

·         Forwarding suggested training tips, words of encouragement and suggested songs while I train

·         Donating financially (donate to the “Haiti General Fund” with the comment of “One Thought Away”*

o   Support me reaching my goal “one marathon at a time” with a suggested donation of $26.20 is encouraged however any amount is appreciated

Thank you so much for your support and I encourage you to give this your thought J

Follow my progress from now until October on Twitter and my Blog.

*Learn more about the work already being done in this orphanage through the Ncompass organization

*Ncompass is a 501 (C)(3) nonprofit and your donation is considered tax deductible