Forty days ago, I accepted a challenge. It was a Facebook challenge to do 22 push-ups a day for 22 days to raise awareness about the 22 veteran suicides that took place daily. You had to post a video of yourself doing the push-ups along with your message. I accepted the challenge and decided to extend the number of push-ups to 40 for 40 days. In addition to raising awareness about veterans committing suicide, I also wanted to acknowledge other lives lost – Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, the officers killed in Dallas, the innocent lives lost in Orlando, Paris, Turkey, and countless others whose senseless deaths have left many of us hurting and wanting better for our world. I spent the last 40 days praying and pushing for increased dialogue, deeper understanding, connection across difference, and the healing of our nation. What we had seen over the past few weeks, months and years was not the world I wanted to leave for my children or my children's children. This challenge served as one way I would commit to changing the world. I chose the number 40 for its biblical significance. Forty days is often considered a time of trial as well as a time in which promises are fulfilled. I took on the challenge because I believe that we can change the world one person at a time, beginning with ourselves.
Well, a lot happened in those 40 days:
1) This push-up challenge gave me a space to raise awareness about important social justice issues and release a variety of emotions I had been feeling about our world today.
2) My strength improved and the push-ups became easier. I went from doing 40 push-ups in about 2 minutes and taking 4 breaks to doing 40 push-ups in about 1 minute with no breaks.
3) I was thrilled with the support of friends and family, and appreciated the opportunity to share issues I am passionate about while reconnecting with old friends.
4) This challenge reignited a self-confidence in me that had been waning. I have become more focused on my dissertation work and am writing more consistently instead of feeling shame and being stuck.
5) I feel like I did bring awareness to veteran suicides, honored lives lost, and shined a ray of hope that we all can do something to make a difference in this world.
6) Overall, this push-up challenge was an extremely positive and inspiring experience.
Would I do it again? Yes!