Inspired to Make a Difference

Last year, I had picked up an issue of TIME magazine and read an amazing, inspiring article by Jeffrey Sachs on simple steps the developed world can take to help eliminate the despair of third world countries. He also wrote a book on this topic called The End of Poverty which I plan to read.

The article really moved and inspired me. After reading it, I decided that when I sign up for Ironman and pour my heart and soul into training, I won't do it in vain. I'll do my part to help make this world a better place.

On Nov 24 2008, I did the deed. I signed up for Ironman and with it, came the desire to fulfill the promise that I had made to myself after reading the article.
When (inshallah) I race the Ironman Triathlon in Arizona next year in Nov 2009, I'm not just going to train and race without having it mean something more

No. I'm going to do something bigger than that. Through my training for Ironman, I want to create awareness of our responsiblity towards our fellow human beings. I dont' want to race just for me, I want to race for those little girls in Tajikistan who desperately need schooling and education in their village. I want to race for those brave Pakistani women who risk their lives at search and rescue missions to save other women who may otherwise be left to fend for themselves. I want to race for clean water in African villages, I want to race for food and shelter for those who can't provide it for themselves. I want to race for something bigger than my own selfish reasons for wanting prolonged endorphin highs. I want to race for theAga Khan Development Network .

And I want to do it big.

I hope to successfully train and compete in Ironman Arizona in November 2009, and I have about a year to raise as much capital as possible for this organization. I'm not gonna just hit up my friends and family for some change and call it a day on this one. From creating my own website or at the very least, a specific blog, to utilizing social networking avenues, to knocking on company doors for pledging, I want to see just what it is I'm capable of doing and who out there will help me accomplish it all.

And for this mission, I don't want to set a "goal" on how much money I can garner in donations, because I may get smug and satisfied if I achieve this goal and not try to push beyond it. I just want to keep this open ended and collect pledges and support non stop until I race. I want to put my heart and soul into this, like I've put my heart and soul into triathlon.

And maybe I'll learn a thing or two about my tenacity and determination, physical,mental and emotional, but most importantly, maybe I'll witness the compassion and generosity of others and the extent to which they're willing to help out their fellow human beings.

Maybe, just maybe...I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Stay tuned for updates on my progress on this mission as well as my updates on triathlon :)