"Today Is My 180" Campaign
Greetings Friends,
As most of you know, I almost lost my life in October and have chosen not to speak on it until something compelled me to. Well, today is the day. - "Today is my 180" I was 180 minutes away from leaving this planet without making a difference or an impact in any measurable way.
WHY? On October 25th, 2010 at approximately 7am, I went into acute kidney failure.
For the next 180 minutes, I would begin the fight for my life as my body began the process of shutting down. The movies make it look poetic, well it isn't. There was no montage of fond memories or flashes of loved ones, just the emotionless instinct for survival as my body went into shock. I remember focusing my vacant eyes on something irrelevant and telling myself to breathe...so I started to really breathe.
It took me awhile, but I was able to concentrate hard enough on my deep, steady, even breaths to make some of the pain dissipate long enough to bargain with my mind to remain in my body.
- Yes! My body's primal instinct was to practice yogic breathing in order to survive. (I am going to let you just sit with that one for a moment like I did...)
I made it! But an emergency surgery in Mexico, two kidney stents, and my real-life hostage/extortion situation paled in comparison to the darkest 180 days to follow. It took approximately 180 hours to move my pen to check the box "I agree" next to a blur of a sentence that ended in "organ removal". I attempted to make sense of the loss I was about to experience before three surgeons spent roughly 180 minutes cutting out the last tumor that smothered what I thought was my future. After months of bed rest and rehab I tried to mask my emotional and physical pain by easing back into society like nothing had happened - like the very fiber of my being hadn't been shreaded. I closed my eyes every night to paint the picture of my happiness because I couldn't see it clearly when my eyes were open.
- Yes! My mind's primal instinct was to practice meditation in order to thrive.
BECAUSE. There will be NO repeat.
I will not chance spending my last 180 minutes on this planet wondering why I didn't choose to make a difference or an impact in some measurable way. So I made the decision right then and there. I don't want to work to win I want to win with my work. Nearly 180 days after that fated day in October, I found myself in an 180 minute interview with the Chairman and Founder of Y.O.G.A. for Youth, a non-profit organization with a mission to bring the healing effects of yoga to ailing and under-served youth around the globe. I am speaking to you now as the Executive Director for Y.O.G.A. for Youth, and the first "Today is My 180" Revolutionist, I implore you to share your "180" (or spread mine) - Together we can create a revolution!
-Yes! My spirit's primal instinct is to practice Bhakti Yoga (love), in order to heal itself to stay alive.
It took me several revolutions to see it, so I am sharing my 180 with you in the hope that you will make today your "180".
I am asking 180 people
to each donate 180 dollars
to give 180 ailing children
the gift of yoga once a week for 180 days
in order to follow in my footsteps of heal their mind, body and spirit through yoga.
It takes just 180 seconds to make today your 180.
Please join my revolution:
1. Choose a donation amount and installment option at the top of this page.
2. Fill in your email address.
3. Include the email address of the person who "180'd" you.
4. Forward your 180 (and/or mine) to 180 of your friends today!
5. Post "Today is My 180" as Your Facebook Status.
6. Visit the "today is my 180" Facebook page and tell us your story.
7. Follow Y.O.G.A. for Youth on Twitter for updates.
Your donation today is fully tax deductible. And to say thank you, you will be automatically enrolled as a Y.O.G.A. for Youth member for 1 year for FREE!
Once you receive your Y.O.G.A. for Youth membership card, you will enjoy 20% - 50% off over 50 partners!
WHAT'S YOUR 180?
Humbly and gratefully yours,
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