Why Bully Zero?
I have been thinking about this run, non-stop since February. I've been trying to make it 'bigger' than myself since then too. When I met Tony Rafferty way back in April, I remember clearly what he told me. If you run to make a difference, great. Do it right and you can raise more money and awareness and make it even more special. $5,000 is great, but $500,000 is even better!
Tony is right. I'm running to Perth for more than just fundraising, I'm running to challenge myself, to see, feel, experience and understand more about myself. Attempting such a feet, I believe should include, well I want it to include a cause, something greater than me. It's certainly one thing running this distance, it's another thing changing the world in a greater way than any single run.
The Bully Zero Australia Foundation (http://bzaf.org.au/) has such an important role in the life's of all Australian. In schools, workplaces and in general the Australian cultural landscape. We as a nation tend to celebrate a bit of bullying here and there and pass it up as "just joking''. We all know what I'm talking about and I'm certainly no angel here.
I'm in the process of creating a video message for the Why Bully Zero and adding it to the website. I wrote up some thoughts and before I film, I will write here.
Growing up, being bullied and becoming a bully myself. I was fortunate to have a mentor in Ben Callaghan, a teacher, a guide and ultimately a friend. Thank you Mr Callaghan. My whole year nine experience was that of exploration, kindness and growth. For want of a better word, Mr Callaghan saved me and taught me that it wasn't uncool to be kind. My parents had instilled this in me and I knew this to be true. Sometimes growing up, lost, incomplete, un-known to the self and not knowing of your place you can become a little ignorant and lash out. I know, I did. It was wrong, it was awkward, it was cruel. To me Bully Zero is like Mr Callaghan. It is a mentor, teacher, guide and friend. Without him at that time in my life, well, who knows.
With today's cyber bullying, school ground bullying and workplace bullying, there is no better time to support, a cause like Bully Zero. To celebrate our differences and be ok with the imperfections in us all. Knowing that my every step towards Perth will help raise, support and deliver more 'mentors' to many great but ultimately lost kids out there. Knowing that so many will be shown a better way to deal with, talk to and communicate in a kinder more tolerable way because of Bully Zero. It gives me more motivation to keep moving forward. To keep training and I have no doubt keep me moving towards Perth come December.
By supporting Bully Zero, by raising awareness, creating conversation and raising funds we are all becoming the mentors that our country needs. Maybe on a bigger level we are creating more mentors, teachers, guides and friends that the world needs.
Be good to other, be kind to others and remember it's not uncool to be kind!
Peace xo
