ALS awareness and more…
Hi all
Unless you’ve been living under a rock ,or don’t have a Facebook account (which are essentially the same thing in this day and age…) the majority of your news feed lately has probably consisted of friends and family members chucking a bucket of ice water over their heads, in order to raise awareness of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis aka Motor Neuron Disease.)
I have always found the power of social media absolutely fascinating, mainly from the inherent fear people have of being ‘left out’. When something becomes fashionable, it is quite easy to jump on the bandwagon.
The ALS Association have received donations totaling nearly $80m since July 29th this year, which is nothing short of phenomenal.
What started off as a ‘challenge’ for celebrities to raise awareness and funds for research into this horrific and presently incurable disease, has now become a worldwide craze. It appears anyone can chuck a bucket of ice water over themselves if they are nominated, regardless of how much (or how little) money they have.
And that’s where the confusion comes in: just how many people have posted a video of themselves in a white t-shirt getting drenched in icy water, but haven’t actually donated anything? Moreover, have no idea what ALS stands for, or even is?!
If you’ve done the challenge, what were your reasons? Was it just because you were nominated? Do you know someone with ALS and want to help raise awareness and funds? Have you even donated anything?!
What fascinates me is the sheer volume of people that have accepted this ‘challenge’ because it is exactly that – a challenge! Yet how many of us apply this mindset of challenging ourselves, ie getting out of their comfort zone, in everyday life?
I have worked as a personal trainer for seven years now; with people from all walks of life and backgrounds, yet most of whom share the same struggle: to get above and beyond what they perceive as their comfort zone. Chucking a bucket of icy water over one’s head is certainly out of most people’s comfort zone, so exactly what is stopping the population from applying this every day, instead of making excuses?
It is only when we stop making excuses and blaming others, and start taking ownership of our goals, accepting that WE are in charge and accountable for our choices and behaviour, that wonderful things begin to happen. When we realise what we are capable of achieving, we go from strength to strength.
Set your OWN ice bucket challenge: write down what it is you would like to achieve and, most importantly, why. It could be anything from wanting to feel less stressed, not eating any sugar for a week, pushing yourself to your absolute limit when you exercise or even giving something back like helping out at your local homeless shelter.
No matter how big or small, your personal goal is yours. Go out and get it today, don’t wait to be nominated.