The 30 Minute Meditation Challenge
My spin on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge...and a new challenge!
I am joyful that so much money has been raised for such an important, well-deserving cause. However, if we are going to raise awareness and help change the world there are plenty of ways and even more outlets for our charity and our energy...spread the love folks! <3 <3 <3 I am so happy about the ice bucket challenge because it is getting people involved and less apathetic. I hope it is the beginning of a whole movement of viral social media charity/awareness movements. I try to live by Gandhi's teaching, "BE the change you wish to see in the world." That is what I hope people in our society take away from the ice bucket challenge. Plus, at least its not stupidity for the sake of being stupid and ignorant...at least the silliness has a positive message of compassion behind it. I really would like to see a lot more "challenges" go viral :) I would love to see COMPASSION go viral!!! <3 <3 <3
But I also have to be critical for a moment...questioning in my nature, I suppose. If you stop and think and think about it, there are some logical questions that arise. For example, is this just a fad? Do people really give a hoot about ALS or are they just trying to fit in? After all of this, does anyone even know what ALS stands for? What the disease does to people? Also, once the Ice Bucket Challenge fad had passed, then what happens to ALS research? What happens to the spirit of generosity and compassion that this movement has sparked? Besides, the naysayers do have some valid points…we are being a little wasteful considering that so many people in our world have such a desperate need for clean drinking water. Likewise, so many areas—California for example—are currently experiencing terrible drought conditions. Maybe any future challenges could aim higher when it comes to social responsibility.
So to my point…I propose a new challenge! I challenge everyone who reads this to spread the love and compassion sparked by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I challenge each and everyone of us to let this be a lesson for us that teaches us how to grow as more united human beings—“ONE human family.” I challenge every reader to continue the movement of charity, generosity, compassion, awareness, knowledge, understanding, and kindness from this day forward. Keep the spark lit! Donate $5 or $10 dollars—or whatever you can afford—to a noble and honorable cause of your choice at least once per month.
Finally, so this can be a “fun” challenge, too…I challenge every one of you to the 30 MINUTE MEDITATION CHALLENGE. I dare you to try it in fact! Find a quiet spot, put on some peaceful music, light a candle or some incense, set a timer—AND try to sit still and be quiet for 30 minutes! Believe me, it’s A LOT harder than it sounds…ice water is nothing compared to this. Even more importantly, try and let your thoughts fade away and let your mind become still and peaceful…stop the internal commotion. This challenge will not only benefit you, it will benefit everyone around you…it will even benefit the world!
I challenge YOU to cultivate compassion, peace, love, humanity, kindness, generosity, mindfulness, personal growth…and everything positive that can be ignited from the Ice Bucket Challenge. Let it grow! Let it spread! Be the change you wish to see in the world! Namaste <3
