Love will find you (Run across MA Day 2, Stow to Bolton to Sterling to East Princeton, MA, 21 miles)

(Hello from the Bolton, MA public library, the most amazing library I have ever spent time in!)

For those that  endeavor in their callings, their dreams, their greater purpose, love seems to find its way into their lives.  Is it coincidence that when I am doing the things I dream of, the things that my spirit has been telling me all along to do, love finds its way to me?  The small things that I encounter in a day, whether it be Pam, a local Bolton, MA woman who randomly came up to me in front of the library offering money and help in finding a host, or the shimmering light on the orchards of Portland apples, all resonate with me as a love-force that is entering my life because I am in the midst of following my purpose - running a message into the hearts and homes and communities of people and youth.  Something recognizes you when you follow your dreams, head to your own spirit calling, and showers that love on you in all kinds of ways.  It's miraculous and exciting to me.

Last night was Halloween in Stow, MA.  There was a huge snow storm that hit last week; the power went out, trees colapsed all over town, and Halloween was rescheduled to last night.  I spent the evening with my host mom, Ann Sadler, handing out candy to local kids.  My second Halloween of the year!  Who knew.  So, I came away from last night with a bunch of fun size M&M packets, which I currently have stuffed in my running pack so that I can hand out to folks I meet en route. (It's a great way to meet people...hand them M&M's or nuts or tea and begin conversation.)

I ran by Bolton Springs Orchard just east of the small town of Bolton, MA.  I hopped off the road to run through the orchard, stopping to munch on apples.  There are so many still on the trees!  I then saw four men digging in a field next to the apple trees.  I stopped to hand out M&M's to them. They were so appreciative.  All four were from Jamaica, in their 30s or 40s it seemed, and come to work at Bolton Springs Orchards every year for six months. 

"What are you doing? What is this?"  Nartin, one of them, asks, looking at me and then down at the M&M packet I had just placed in his hand.

"I am running across the state!  And those are M&M's...peanuts and chocolate together!  Yum!  A gift from me to you!"

"Thank you.  Where did you start this run?  Why?"

I tell him the details and why - to inspire passion and dreams.

Nartin responds, "Thank you for the love.  There are not a lot of people doing what you are doing today.  We need more love.  We are obsessed with our material goods, but love is the answer.  I hope to see you on television one day.  Have a safe adventure!"

Yes, Nartin hit it on the head.  We need more people to do what they believe in, we need more love, we need to focus on how we can live out our values in our work, play, and communication.  Nartin's words came to me as love, and I am even more convinced that as we take on our dreams, we will find the encouragement and inspiration to continue on our path towards our greater purpose.  It's so much about the first step.  What goes into that first step?  Is it a calling?  Is it deciding to run across MA two days prior to starting (yes, this is true)?  Is it your heart pounding and your spirit coming alive whenever you talk about doing a particular something?  Is it asking yourself what you believe in and what your values are?  Go from there, yes.  We each need to inspire one another to come alive...so, we need to connect with our aliveness and act on it.  Doesn't matter what it is or how many people believe in you.  They will believe in you once you show them what you care about and how that is making you come alive.  Show the world how you come alive.  Just gosh darn do it!  Your aliveness will inspire more aliveness, and together we can create something bigger than ourselves.  "Alive, together," is what I say.  Let's do it.  So, I will keep running and speaking with youth...if you, too, go off and do your thing.  Deal.

Also, as a wise woman in my life told me recently, "Sometimes, even, we need to drop our leaves in order to bloom again."  It's Fall now!  Drop your leaves!

Adventure on!

Love,

Katie