I received a very special gift last Saturday-the gift of remembering how lucky I am.  That is always a great gift-Gratitude is the essence of the light within the human soul.  It is when we are truly grateful that we are lit from within and when that happens, it is beautiful and it is powerful.

I attended a workshop given by the New England Organ Bank, NEOB. I got to sit inside a building surrounded by people who have given and received the ultimate gift of life and people who have devoted their life to this cause and hear a piece of their stories.  I was humbled, empowered and most of all very proud.  You do not need to read a self help book to inspire yourself to be better or do more, spend some time with people and their family members who have faced life and death and you will be changed

I also found a new way for my spikes that carried me to Gold this summer at the Transplant Olympics to continue to be of use.  I was asked if I would be a part of the traveling exhibit the NEOB has and shares to show the power of Organ Donation.  They had ordered my book and asked me to autograph it and when I said that I wanted to give more and donate my spikes they were thrilled.  After all, my Nike’s are one of the biggest parts of me…of my dreams and goals from way back and for the future.  I signed them and I was so proud to place them on the table next to my book and among so many wonderful and amazing “pieces” that signified the stories of LIFE.

I hope it shows people that lives are not only saved but lived with organ donation (and maybe the grass and dirt still stuck on a few of the spikes will give a good visual for that)   I finally get to “wear out the treads”...

I have said this many times that I believe organ donation is a personal choice each individual is allowed to make yet I also believe it is one of the greatest, most important choices a human being can decide.  To give life to another, to many others and their families, is a pure miracle and one of the greatest gifts of all.  I know I would not hear the word “Mommy” every day or be writing this if not for 2 people that made that choice.

I am not writing this blog to make a plea for everyone to be an organ donor-however, I do hope you spend a few minutes to become informed and consider the choice.  I am writing this blog because I was “made better” on Saturday by helping a cause that is close to my heart (and very close to my lungs and kidney  .

I realized that we all have something to share with others and we all have the chance to be inspired and empowered by the good in the world.  So many times the focus is on the negative, the bad, and the harmful.  We have a choice to decide what matters in our life.  Donate.  Donate time to a worthy cause, to your loved ones, to a stranger on the street even if it is a smile as you pass by.  Give time and love to yourself, for when you are stronger, feel more taken care of, you can give, do, and be more.   Make the good matter people…good can be made and found in so many places-even in a pair of bright, pink, worn spikes.

LIVE LIFE FULLY-for yourself and others,

Dottie