So tonight we are going out for dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (wow, my mouth just started salivating with just the thought of it) to celebrate my sister's birthday.  I'll make sure to work off all the desserts to come tonight starting this week!

I read today that Kangaroo, the gas station company, gave away $20,000 to the college in the NC area that bought the most cups of coffee.  The running was between UNC, NC State and Duke.  The money went to that college’s charity of choice.  Between the 3 schools, they bought 123,505 cups of coffee with UNC leading the way with 40%, or 49,402 cups.

So, UNC gets the $20,000 for their charity.  However, if the students, faculty and whoever else bought coffee with their points cup had instead put the money they paid for coffee towards the charity fund instead of buying coffee, there would be a lot more money than $20,000 going towards their charity.  Even Duke, who accounted for 23% of the sales, had purchased 28,406 cups of coffee.  At the very least, I would hope that what was paid for coffee would be matched.  I understand the point of capitalism, but with the way this contest was designed, it feels like there was a lot more that could have been given for the amount of coffee purchased.

Foremost though, what stands out to me, is that if everyone had just bypassed getting coffee and put the money directly into a charity fund, there would be a lot more money going to three, probably, very deserving charities.  Just an article that made for an interesting way for me to start my day.

Today marks the second day of this step/walking challenge at my work.  I’ve learned two interesting things already from this competition:  I don’t realize how much I actually walk across the day AND people can be viciously competitive over the friendliest of events.  It’s unbelievable.  Yesterday I walked more than 7 miles in total across my entire day.  I come in this morning observing people directly inquiring where others are at, followed by the overly-confident, dare I say smug, “hmm” acknowledgement.

It’s interesting to simply see the sum of everything across your day from waking up in the morning, commuting to work, working out at the gym and walking anywhere in between.  Unfortunately, when gift cards are being offered as prizes for the most steps being taken, the enjoyment of realizing that I walk 7+ miles across my day without even thinking about it becomes a challenge to do more because of the attitude others take on the event and express outwardly.

It’s an interesting dynamic to witness.  People are actually sizing others up and asserting dominance because of the fact that they had the opportunity to walk more in the day than others.  It sounds so juvenile when you see it unfold and break it down into its minute components.  I mean, am I missing something?  It’s a pedometer walking challenge put on at work.  People have their own motivations that make them tick.  Some embrace and intensify competition, while others do it for pure enjoyment and as a way to gauge oneself.  Me?  I take pride in the fact that I can now walk 7+ miles in a day and not complain about my feet hurt, the way I did when I was a child having to walk not even a quarter of that distance.  Growth comes in many ways and, for me, I’m so happy just seeing the freedom the life I have lived has given to me.

Freedom is an amazing feeling to have.  Cherish it and respect it.  Help others go a little further by encouraging and motivating them in some way other than dominating them with how far you have gotten yourself.  It reveals who you are, how you carry yourself, what drives you and what you care about.  There’s more to life than a $500 gift card.  Being considered one of the top contenders for the gift card brings me more joy than anything else.

The first full week of April and it is a 70+ degree day, light breeze and sunlight, sunlight, sunlight.  It’s also Day 1 of this pedometer walking challenge that my work is putting on.  I’m hearing a lot of numbers in the 1000 and low 2000 range and I’m already up to 9,430!  At first I thought I would just do this for fun, but it sounds like I may have a chance to win this thing based on numbers I’m hearing.  I have also been thinking about starting up running again, just light for about 30 minutes.  However, those few miles will add steps to this event as well.  Sounds like I’m already toward the top in this event from what I’m hearing and we know I never do things without full effort.  Maybe we’ll make this interesting and see if I can get the $500 1st place prize for most steps.

Just what I need, another motivation to go to the gym =)

Not only is my birthday on a Saturday this year, but the Cherry Blossom festival in DC is shooting off fireworks tonight.  I know what I'm doing today =)  I hope everyone has a great day as well!