I made a promise to myself not too long ago. I promised myself that I would start something and finish it. I have a problem with starting things, as in, I have a lot of ideas but I don’t really get going and putting those ideas into action. I don’t have a problem with grand ideas and complex intricate webs of thought… those come almost naturally. Well, I made myself the promise of writing a post and talking about my upcoming adventure starting today, Dec. 1st. The upcoming adventure is about me, knowing that there is a destiny out there waiting for me to fulfill it. “End Malaria, pt. 2″ is what I’m calling it thus far. I’ll post the email I sent to Greg Hartle of Tenlap.com in hopes that everyone can appreciate the scope and breadth of my upcoming adventure. I have to give thanks first to @Williejackson for opening me up to Greg’s adventure, which in many ways is similar to mine. And this is what I wrote:
Greg, I’m very happy to have found your story in the Twitterverse. For the last few months I have been training and getting ready for a cross-country bicycle trip with my younger brother Francisco. We will be departing from Rockland, Maine and heading up into Canada and crossing the country via the Trans Canada Highway out to Calgary, up into Banff and down into Washington State to Walla Walla (I know quite a few wineries from having been in the industry) for the grand finale.
Michael Bungay Stanier wrote a book titled “End Malaria” released back in early September of this year, 2011. The book was co-authored and written by a veritble force of entrepreneurs, leaders, speakers and other successful business folk. The proceeds from the book all go to benefit Malaria No More, a not-for-profit organization with hopes to eradicate Malaria by the year 2015. The book itself has nothing to do with Malaria other than the title, and is all about rising above, following dreams, overcoming obstacles and succeeding in life. It really got me thinking about how very blessed I am and I’m rising to the challenge to accept the battle and struggle in the name of those less fortunate than myself… those that live (and sleep) in fear of contracting this preventable disease.
Michael B. Stanier also wrote a manifesto, “At the speed of Seth”, Seth Godin that is. Google him if you’re not familiar with who he is, quite an interesting guy. “At the speed of Seth” talks about how the experience of doing great work with Seth catapulted the idea of the book from an idea to action, while raising the stakes 10 fold. Their goal, raise $2 million for Malaria No More. My goal, beat that x100 fold.
Now, I have no idea really, how much $200 million dollars is. I’ve never made more than $75k a year… And that was only a couple times. I am a server/waiter, bartender/mixologist and Sommelier. In short, I work in the Food & Beverage industry, service is in my blood. However, I do know this goal is within my grasp. To achieve this, I’m hoping to use my book, film (e-video) and the contents of my adventure to raise awareness for the cause. Maybe I’ll sell both for $1 as a download from Amazon.
The effects, I’m hoping, will spur some businesses to donate a dollar or two from their sales per item. Patagonia, Kammok, gin/vodka distillers (gin and tonic… Tonic -> quinine -> Malaria treatment), happy hours in bars and restaurants, Bill @ Melinda Gates Foundation, etc. Feel free to add your own thoughts, but you get the idea. There are plenty of resources to play with.
So, you asked what all is going on June 1st, well, that is it… In a nutshell. I just wanted to reach out and say how your story is equally inspiring for me. Put fear behind and give failure the finger. Cheers!
So, without further hesitation, I am now committing myself to Ending Malaria.
For those of you that are wondering why and how I can think of obtaining such heights and battling vs. something that is seemingly way above my head, my answer to you is this: “I dreamed it”.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge” – Albert Einstein
Hell, and and while I’m at it, I might as well add in another one from him:
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
And this is what Epicfailmail is all about, trying something new and having the courage, stamina and vigor to fail, fail, fail and fail again… and get up and TRY once more. We all fail, at least once or twice in our lifetimes, but how good are you at picking yourself back up and smiling at adversity? Well, this is an account at how well I fare. I would love to hear your stories and how you overcame them, gimme a shout.
@JPTDallas on Twitter
JPTaboada333@gmail.com
(469)682-2616 is my cell
