The Kindness Poem presented by Pallotta Teamworks at the 3-Day ceremony emphasized the spirit of the event. They talk about "humand-kind: be both". For three days, I was immersed in a world where everyone took care of each other, was kind, and kept in the back of their minds that there was a $50 fine for whining. When we were tackling one of the most difficult physical endurance events of our lives, instead of being cranky, you were looking to see how you could ease the pain of the person next to you.
When you arrived at camp at the end of a 20 mile walk to find someone had set up the tent for you, that was kind.
When you sat down to take a rock out of your shoe, 12 people walked by and asked how you were.
When people were passing you on the trail, instead of shoving by in a competition, it became a time to smile, ask how you were doing, offer a few words of encouragement, make a new friend, and share the incredible event we were all on.
The kindness I experienced on the 3-Day is something I want to take back with me to the rest of my life. I met one woman who had determined to "never whine again" after the joy of the 3-Day. How can you whine, when the pain of a cancer sufferer is so much worse than any discomfort you might feel? It all put it in perspective, gave you a wider view of the world.
What if we all tried to be a little kinder? I know we could make a difference in the world. |
