I have no idea who, if anyone, sees what I write on these blogs but this is worthy of writing if only one other person reads it. One person can spread a message an infinite distance, and all it takes is a few words. That's what THE WALK is all about.
We all remember Hanson, we all remember MMMBop. Well, if you haven't been listening since then, you should listen now. Not only has their music evolved into something truly soul-touching but they themselves have grown up into amazing individuals who realize the difference they can make.
At every show they ask anyone willing, to walk ONE MILE barefoot. It's all about taking something as simple as a pair of shoes, something most of us probably take for granted as we run out our doors in the morning, and going without them for just a couple minutes. While you walk you have to imagine people in Africa; mothers, fathers, children, anyone who has to walk around everyday without a pair of shoes.
A pair of shoes has never meant so much.
Hanson requires one thing of the Walks; that each individual register and check off one of five causes; the explanation on the card saying simply; Which of these resonates with you the most?
-->Clean Drinking water
-->Education
-->Donate Shoes
-->Provide Healthcare
-->AIDS and HIV care
For every person that walks Hanson donates a dollar to the cause that individual checked off on their card. Over 34,000 miles have been walked for this cause!
I walked for the first time yesterday and I cannot believe the impact that it had on me. Dozens of people showed up to walk together barefoot and as Zac Hanson said when we stopped after a half mile, "It's about the steps you take. You can look around and see...there's no one watching us, no one filming us...it's about taking action. Lots of small steps have the ability to compile into one big message." By giving up a little bit of time and taking off our shoes, we were all acknowledging something much bigger than any one of our individual selves. These are the kinds of actions that need to be done. Nothing can be done until people are willing to look further than their doorsteps. Just because it's not in your face when you open your door, and just because it's not happening to you, doesn't make it any less horrific.
So take a little bit of time and look beyond your blue skies and green lawns...Take the WALK...head out to a show or organize your own! Buy a pair of TOMS shoes...anything you can do, any action you take is one small step and it WILL make a difference.
http://www.takethewalk.net/site/takethewalk/section/name/home
Well put.
ReplyDeleteThe objective of something like this is to spread awareness through action or reflection.
However I feel like most of the people participating would happily take 5 minutes to fill out a simple Paypal form to donate the money (if there was an option available, and they might donate more!). Attending a walk like this is meaningful, but I feel the true meaning is getting lost in translation.
The objective is to raise money, symbolism is almost a waste of time and effort.
While walking might inspire some, most will hold their opinions and feelings regardless.