To me, the word `hope' is not `victim'. It is strength.

So, I ask myself, how do I keep going? Why do I keep going? What is it about this life of ours here.

I guess it is BELIEF… `Be' ing and Life….

I can only do my VERY best, and that is all. Once, I've done that, what more can I do. No matter what others say or do, I have done all.

There are times of trial, of sadness, of pain… when I have asked, 'Why me?… Why ask me to do this? This is too hard. I have given up everything… my life. When I feel pain for the loved ones I can't `touch'.When I feel I can take not one more step. When I am so upset that I can't do what I wanted to do… When others have abandoned me.

These moments can be fleeting or last a little longer than I should let them.

But, overwhelmingly, I BELIEVE in what I am doing! I have such a deep sense of 'correctness' about this, for me, and all. That belief is what sustains me. I go on. Driven. Mission driven. At peace within with the `truth' and `love' of what I am doing… no matter the physical, or emotional pain. This does not mean I deny the pain. That would not be of service. It would do harm.

I listen to my body. I listen to my soul. I `listen' to the wise and compassionate Self. And, I act.

Instead of saying, "Why?… or, Why me? (which is almost a whine), I catch my self. I jolt my larger Self to `What?'… What can I do?… What should I do? What should I do differently? And so, I reevaluate. I be proactive… I go back to my Mission… Why I am doing this… and, with action, go from there.
Sometimes it means I need a nap. When I am tired, I must rest, otherwise, I suffer… physically, emotionally and mentally. Sometimes it means I must walk. Sometimes it means that some of my previous thoughts and beliefs are not `correct' now… for me. So, I must release those that are not of service to me… For example, I can not run all day. My body won't let me… at least not yet. That was such a difficult one for me… to release my previously held strong beliefs, and to accept the reality of what I could do. No matter how desperately hard I pushed, I could only do so much. But not just accept it, enjoy and savor the experience that was happening without running it by my old beliefs. To do one's best. Release the `old'. Accept. And, delight.
I used to be able to run like the wind for 2 to 3 hours at a time without stopping. Now I can't. It is hard for me. I am embarrassed. I run like a slowpoke now and for a maximum of a half an hour without stopping. But, my body is doing 50, 60 and more kms everyday now. If I don't honor its needs, it will be injured and in pain. Life is learning, and humbling.

As I was running by a field this morning. I saw these EXQUISITE horses running in a field. Their manes were flying. Their tails were up and streaming behind them as they, with such beauty, and grace ran in the wind. It was a scene of magnificence. They were magnificent. They were creatures of beauty trained for horse jumping. But no less beautiful... No less Magnificent, were the massive, and muscular pulling horses in New Brunswick, or the little Shetland ponies in another field, days ago, or the riding horses for families. And, even within `families' of horses, there were differences… some of the ponies were white, some brown, some shorter, some taller, some with more hair. The massive pulling horses will never be able to race like the thoroughbred race horse. But, it can choose to be the fastest pulling horse! IF it works at it. IF it makes it so. I chose, with hope, to make a difference by running across Canada. Not everyone has the physical ability to run/walk like that. But, one can choose to share the precious `gift' of your time, and a hug, with a senior (wherever they may live); to smile at someone at a store, or a new staff member; to have the courage to say, "No!", when something is not right, or just, the courage, to believe in your Self… and to go on.. with Hope… and, so make this world a better place by sharing the `gift' of You with the rest of the world… as you have the courage to `reach out' beyond your fears… the courage of Hope… the belief in Self… so too, tthe `world' feel and know and be changed by You.

Hope is cognizant and acceptant of what it can not change, and, looking forward, actions what it can

We are all different. We all live in different bodies, families and lives… Is mine right? Is yours right? None to be judged. Mine is mine… and I live it… doing my best.

Is the gorgeous huge house with the BMW the `right' life? Or, the little wooden house out by the stream?.. Or, the RV? Or this job, or that job? Or this family, or that `family'? This religion or that religion?

None judged, except by Self… To be SERENE WITHIN… no matter the `world'.

No one `better', no one `worse'… `All' choice.

So, when a friend asked me if I was very angry about a major abandonment by those I trusted, I said, 'No'. 'But isn't your Run about Making a Difference? They are not changing. They haven't made a difference,' was the response. I said, "I am disappointed. But I can change no one. I can only do my best…. And go on…go `within'… trust my `truth'… judge not… and keep doing my Best no matter what the `world' or others say or do.' I will do my best. And pray I always stay centered. With courage. With Hope.

So, what are my `hopes'?

My hope for this run:

That it makes a difference.

That it does as I wrote earlier,
'Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Makes the mighty ocean and the pleasant land,
Thus, The Power of People,
Humble though, we be,
Can choose to Make a Difference,
And so, eternity.

I Hope that people will reach out in love…. With courage…

My hope for me

To be beautiful `within' in all moments… to be serene within… to be Magnificent… to delight… to rejoice!

An image… one which illuminates what I hope for my life…

Last fall, I saw a plant. It, gracefully… exquisitely… was gently draping its foliage down over a rocky embankment. It was in the final moments of its life. Yet, with grace, and honoring its life, it allowed its `seeds' to gently go. It knew not what would happen. It just lived as it should... It too, had had its challenges… the winds.. the birds… the dry weather, and the wet… the hikers… but, it lived. It honored its cycle, and it dropped its seeds. Trusting, and hoping that all would be `well'. Asking nothing.

And so, my hope… to Live in honor in all moments,
To Savor and Delight in Life,
And, to release and trust…

I Stand, alone, yet `one'

My hope for others

To have the courage to Live their BEAUTY… to believe in Self.

My hope for the Hope Foundation

To continue to be the Best it can be... Through people With people, and For people.

And, to continue to help in bringing this `world' Hope.