Earlier this month, we posted an article, Sports Fundraising to Step into the Holiday Cheer. If you take a read of it, you’ll read about a CrossFit gym that decided to do social good for The Prosthetic Foundation despite the pandemic. You’ll also read about a new program our sister brand, Funds2Orgs, created called Funds4Women. That program intends to support women-led groups or those empowering women and girls. However, during the holiday season, we wanted to take a moment to say thank you.
As we all know, 2020 was noteworthy thanks to the pandemic. All of us faced an experience that few, if any, of us experienced. If you think back to the early part of the year, many got consumed by fear as we saw this strange thing move from Asia to Europe and inevitably to the United States and around the world. As we know, it caused havoc in the lives of many people. For some, family and friends contracting the virus got ill or even died. For others, the virus created lingering health issues. And still, for other people, the economic challenges brought by the pandemic have caused serious problems.
Finding Gratitude During the Holiday Season
Recently, the actor Michael J. Fox published his new book, No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality. Gen Xers remember Fox as one of the actors of their generation. He started his career in the show Family Ties, starred in the movie, Back to the Future, and through his career, starred in varied memorable roles. Who knows what Fox’s career arc would have been if he not gotten diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease before the age of 30. That said, despite the challenges, Fox, who is now 59, has led a life of gratitude.
Since his diagnosis, Fox has remained a steadfast optimist. In fact, he was relentless at it. Early on, Fox suggested that a cure would get discovered during his lifetime. To that end, he has led an effort to raise $100 million toward Parkinson’s research. However, with the launch of his book during the holiday season, Fox’s perspective changed. At this point, he does not believe he will likely see a cure to what afflicts him. He finds himself now at times in a wheelchair as the control over his body slowly fades. And because of the involuntary movements, even walking could be a tense adventure.
At this point, Fox maintains his optimism, but he suggests that sometimes things just don’t work out. Although he worked for years following his diagnosis, he recently entered a second retirement. And at this stage, he suggests that if it’s the end of his career, “so be it.” However, even though Fox’s perspective evolved from almost unfailing optimism to one now peppered with realism, his attitude still seems to engender gratitude.
Life Remains a Gift—No Matter the Challenges
During this holiday season, we appreciate Fox’s perspective and view on life. To have lived with Parkinson’s disease for 30 years and still find beauty and gratitude in life takes enormous character. However, although we don’t know Fox, we guess that he’s not searching to get held up as some icon or hero. More than likely, he wants to have the world appreciate him for who he is and as an actor with the works he completed.
In that spirit, we want to share with people during this holiday season the idea that life could be challenging. As we mentioned at the outset, 2020 sure proved that. But, a lot of it is a matter of perspective. No matter the obstacles placed in your path, you have a choice. You could choose to wallow in the misery, or you could look to see the beauty in life—no matter how tough it is at the time. For instance, during the pandemic, countless people realized how close they became with others, including those in their families. People have created strong relationships because they realized that life is short, and nothing is guaranteed.
Our Thanks to Our Partners
As we close this year with our final post, the team at Sneakers4Good wants to thank our partners. Like many of our partners in our sneaker recycling program, we’re a small business social enterprise. This year threw us all for a loop. However, the partners, such as the CrossFit gym, who decided to collect athletic shoes or become a drop-off location, allowed us to continue the work we’ve done for years.
So, we want to thank everyone and hope for better days ahead during the holiday season. As Fox suggests, sometimes things don’t turn out the way you expect. Other times, things turn upside down and sideways. But, in the end, what’s important is your perspective and to be thankful. Our team couldn’t do it without you. Thanks for your confidence in our business, and we look forward to better days ahead.
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