Marathon Monday - Dreams to Pursue

Marathon Monday - a day that is heavily celebrated in Massachusetts every third Monday of April. Most college students drink all day, stumble down the streets and cheer for the runners as they slur, "You're almost there!" It's not something I'm into - the drinking that is.

The Boston Marathon is something that is admirable. For the last two years I have spent part of my day out on the streets cheering for the people that I can't help but look up to. Each person that runs the marathon has traveled through life and decided to prepare themselves for a 26.2 miles run.

Last year I said, "I want to do the Boston Marathon." I felt a passion, an excitement but I was clueless how to go about it. Today, again, I said "I want to do the Boston Marathon." It's an exciting proposition.

In order to actually be eligible I a) must run a marathon in 3hours 15minutes or b) commit to raising a certain amount of money for a charity. I really think that option b is my most viable path to the marathon, but I want to know that I can challenge myself to complete the course. It's not just important to commit to raising enough money for an organization, but for every dollar that is raised, to commit to finishing the race.

By no means do I expect to win the race, but I plan on making it across the finish line.

My thought is... this summer I can train. Now, this is the area I get stuck. How does one train for such a long run? I naturally am not a long-distance runner - or maybe I am? I know that I love running and I know that I can run well, but 26.2 miles scares me. Up until last summer I had never run more than 2.5 miles in one run. Emily, one of my best friends, introduced me to a run around the Charles River that totaled 4-6 miles, depending on our actual path that day. But that was an accomplishment. The first time I ran it, I did not think I was going to make it - but I survived, and boy did I feel good.

I want to feel that challenge again.

Perhaps the motivation I need is to share my story. If I do this, I want to raise the money for cancer research and treatment. At this point, I don't know if the American Cancer Society is on the charitable organization list (but I'm sure it is).

Perhaps the motivation I need is my mother and grandfather - they can be the guiding light that I need to run up the Newton Hills and run along a crowd of people that I'm sure will be passing me and challenging me. I know that toward the end I'll have the support of my school, Boston University, because we surround Kenmore Square - one mile from the finish line in Copley Square.

I really want to commit, and I think the first step is talking to my doctor/s about the possibility. I need to see a nutritionist and find out what I really should be eating to keep me healthy.

It is a possibility that I may start a video blog to document my journey. It would make it easier to take everyone along the journey with me, to keep in contact, and for me to track my progress.

This week I will talk with a few people to see how they think I should go about it - to ask if they think I can do it - to ask for their support. I know that this will be a challenge, and I know that there will be days I will want to quit, but if you have a support base, you can do anything.

We Must Not Stand By, But Rather Stand Against.

Water - A free, natural resource that we all are allowed to use as we wish, right?

Wrong, or at least so says many countries, including the United States.

This is a recent issue that has been brought to light, despite having been a brewing storm for decades.

Water is becoming privatized. Most people think to themselves - "How do you privatize water? There's too much water for anyone to own, and who could possibly own it?" This is the problem that we must contemplate. Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and other companies like Suez and Thames all claim they have the right to use the public resources. They have been buying up land, building factories upon that land and stealing the precious water that some people call "Blue Gold."

Is this a bad thing? YES! What the companies do is take the water from the land, which drains it of the water that is needed to feed the fern and fauna. As the water is transported elsewhere, the rain and rivers can not replenish it at the same rate, causing a succession of desert-like areas sprouting up - areas that once were lush with greenery.

Also, if you look at what the companies pay for the water, you'd be astonished. NOTHING. Yes, that's right. The companies pay nothing on the water that they take from the land. Yet, the impact is spread far and wide. We are proposing a carbon tax, stopping the extreme rates of pollution, but what about a water tax on companies? This will cause them to rethink the way they do business. To create more sustainable products.

A current thought is that we can just create desalination plants to purify ocean water. How about the companies that need the water create the desalination plants? Then the citizens of countries can revive their lands and save the environment. The large companies that need water will be paying for their usage by the creation and operation of these new purifying factories.

It's also appalling that the companies get away with their criminal activity by the corruption of politics. Bribery is more common than one could ever wish. Just look at all the indictments against Congressmen/women, Senators, Governors and Mayors all of whom have taken small but vote-swaying bribes. These bribes lead to the mistreatment of constituents that trust their leaders to vote in the publics interest. But no, it is the personal gain that overcomes the like-minded politicians, giving up their morals for a free trip or a couple thousand of dollars. Sort of like selling your soul to the devil, but rather it's selling your elected seat to the monopolistic companies that overtake nature for profit. We can only be so lucky to divulge all the secrets that are harbored in Washington and various states so that the political criminals can be sent to jail and hopefully non-demoralized beings can be voted to hold office.

Developing countries are seeing even more of the devastation from the companies because they are easier to be taken advantage of. The WTO (World Trade Organization) can and does require the countries that have received assistance to open the doors to the money hungry businesses. Citizens then see their natural water sources become depleted. Often there isn't enough power from the people to overtake the companies. Only when there is a rally, and a persistent rebellion that lasts months, maybe years, will the government listen. I'm happy to say that I see a bright future for these countries, but it seems dark for them tomorrow.

"Blue Gold," a documentary on the commodification of water, really brings to light the echos of water privatization. The effects of the markets are broadening and becoming more apparent. But as more and more people become aware of the siege on our public goods, we will take them back. The People ultimately have the hand to grasp what it theirs. If they stick to the struggle through the battles that may hurt a few, the rewards will ultimately be great. Don't be fooled - the corporations have the guns and money to fight a fierce war against all those whom wish to knock them down, but if we fight on our territory (which we do) then we can ambush them and fight them from the foundation of their argument.

If the United States of America succumbs to the pressures of power conglomerates, then there is little hope for others. That is why the United States needs to stand up in support of the replenishing of public sources of water, so that we may lead the way for other nations. Paris, in 2009, saw contracts with water giants end and refused to renew them. Small steps are a start, but let us be the first huge wave against the resistance.

Let us make the change for the future; let us protect the Earth for generations to come - without water, humans can't exist.

What type of person are you?

I watched a movie last night called "The People Speak." It was fantastic and I totally recommend it for anyone who wants to be inspired by the truth. It wasn't a motivational movie but it was analytic in how revolution has been created over the years.

Today I realized that I'm not a generational motivator. In my opinion, everyone should be their own motivator.

If you want something to happen, make it happen. If you want something, go get it.

Work hard, and make things happen.

I've personally experienced this throughout the past few years. After being kicked out of my father's house in 2008, right before college, I was forced to be a go-getter. I have always been like that, but it was only strengthened by this incident.

A lot of people have come to me for advice on how to make things happen, what's the best solution, how to get what they want. In my opinion, everyone has to take their own path. Really look at where you want to go. If you see an end goal, think about the decision you have to make and the best choice to keep on the path toward success.

Don't rely on other's success to make you motivated. Sometimes it is essential to have a rolemodel to say - "Hey, you can do anything you put your mind to" but that's exactly it - you're the one that can make it happen. To go to college, if you're unable to get loans, what's the next best solution? Can you go to a grandparent to access funds? Can you take night classes and work during the day? Each decision is hard, but you have to be a self-motivator.

I really feel that whatever one ends up deciding shows their true passions. So, if you truly have a passion for knowledge, for learning, for academic success, you need to find a route for that. If you possess a true love of something, you will find a way. Be a self-motivator. Use any and all resources available to you. Make your dreams come true. It is you that matters. It is your dreams that are at stake. Look up to somebody for guidance, but rely on yourself to make the changes.

You have the power.

A Look Back on Valentine's Day

I know many a person who says "Valentine's Day is stupid" or "Valentine's Day is a conspiracy for luxury goods businesses to sell their stuff" or they simply just call it "FML Day."

But what is so bad about it, the love that flows on February 14th each and every year adds to the strong bonds we can share as a society. Perhaps it's not the love that brings us together, but the hatred for those whom have that love we desire.

I don't stop to think twice about the holiday. It's a holiday and it means something to me, despite being single. I can celebrate the love I have for friends.

To learn about what Valentine's Day is meant to mean, I looked to good ol' Wikipedia. I already knew that it is actually Saint Valentine's Day, so I have a leg up on most people I know.

What I learned is that the real market of Valentine's Day started in a women's house in Worcester, MA. I don't know if that's verifiable but nor was I truly interested in this.

My love affair with the information came from the content describing the 19th century courtships-when love was truly a romantic endeavor. This is how life should be. Hand-written notes sent in secrecy to another person to express the desire, the deep desires to have that person in your longing arms.

It doesn't seem real that the first physical valentine we have to look to today is from the early 15th century, that's 1400-over 600 years ago. Love has existed for so much longer. So many people keep the love notes passed to them years ago in a box under their bed. I'm sure many centuries ago women did the same. Love affairs sprung about in the royal kingdoms, forbidden by the King or Queen for their son's and daughters. Love was truly an affair, something extravagant, something that was ready to bloom but wasn't allowed to in many cases. Lust was the true form of entertainment and marriage back then. Love was only shown to those whom it affected. Men of power weren't allowed to show their deep love for their wives to make it known they weren't weakened by such emotion.

Much is different today. We look higher upon those whom have strong bonds with close ones. Love is now abused. We find that one person and then abuse that love by cheating or wishing to. Neither is okay. Let love strengthen your bonds, don't let it tempt your mind with the things you shouldn't want but seem to crave. Love is what one deeply desires and without love, one's heart will seem like a waning wasteland.

Madonna Is Abusing Her Fame, Making The Wrong Choices

So, if you haven't heard-Madonna is building a $15 million school in Malawi. Great, right?

Not quite. Let's take another look;

Madonna has been generous to the residents of Malawi. She has adopted two children, a daughter and a son, from the nation. There seems to be a glimmer in her eyes whenever she visits and sets her eyes upon the children of the country. So why would she think it appropriate to displace hundreds of Malawian villagers?

The claim is that her school will benefit the families that have to leave their land. Those whom were forced out were compensated for their trees, houses and the like and supposedly given large sums, courtesy of Madonna. All nice, especially since they were also given different government land in exchange. The girls that attend the school will learn the scientific processes that will allow them to aid other women and girls whom have health problems throughout Malawi. Great, but the problem is that there is displacement of villagers at all.

If government land plots are being given to those whom were displaced, then why can't Madonna build her school on that land instead? There shouldn't be a reason for the specific land that the school is being built on.

There's also another problem; the school is solely for girls. It is often that in many nations women don't have the same opportunities that men do; but in many nations, such as Malawi, men and women don't have great chances. I support any endeavor to insure a nation's growth, but a nation can't grow equitably if there isn't equal treatment. Girls and boys could benefit from a school.

It seems that Madonna is taking the same approach to clawing her way into philanthropic work-aiming for one specific objective that excludes many, just as Oprah had done in South Africa. Girls need mentors, role models, someone to help them grow and embody themselves fully... but must we as a society full of philanthropists be so strict with our choices? Please, I beg, let us begin to branch out. Stop calling out inequality and then enabling the perpetual cycle. A girl's school will educate young women, but will also inevitably instill an idea of difference of sexes. Girls and boys go to different schools to give them equal chances-does this make sense? No.

We can all do our part. We must first think of those whom we want to aid. Then we must think of everyone whom will be effected by our choices. Finally we can conclude wether or not to move forward. Put aside all personal desires, sacrifice what you may think is wholly right for the path that will actually make the most people benefit. Affecting many is better than just a few-Let's make large-scale change.

A Start Toward New Things

In this blog I will look for news articles I find interesting and that I feel strongly toward.

I may agree, I may disagree; I may give praise, I may get heated... This will be the place I show "my true colors."

I am looking to develop my intellect in a distinct way-learning to analyze and articulate.

From time to time I may also post progress in various areas of my life. I will tell you now that I aim high and shoot for the stars each and every day-hence the name of my blog. There is one set goal in my life and that is to help others.

As I strive to find my best path to help others, I've always found myself leading back to Law. With a law degree I hope to find my way to the Senate where, although many find Senators disconnected, I plan to advocate for the public. There will always be disagreements with politicians, but they are representing a huge mass of people. Not everyone can be pleased.

I know that I will struggle along the way to attain my goals in life, but I look forward to the challenges, the triumphs and the great times to be had.

Until next time.

Yours classically,

Joshua