Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Make It Happen

Jenny Crain, an elite American distance runner from Milwaukee, was hit by a car while on a run last August. She suffered a brain injury and has recently emerged from a coma. She had a favorite slogan: Make It Happen!

It seems like a simple instruction: make it happen. I doubt if Jenny anticipated that `make it happen` would mean `learn how to eat again.` Brain injuries have a way of changing everything. The Make It Happen Fund has been established to benefit Jenny in her recovery.

As Jenny fights to regain some of what she has lost, many people have rallied to help, including this year`s Human Race Heroes. Jason Lehmkuhle and Kristen Nicolini Lehmkuhle. They chose to designate the Make It Happen Fund as the official non-profit for the St Patrick`s Day Human Race, drawing more attention to and raising funds for Jenny`s cause.

`Make it happen` is a great reminder to all of us. It reminds us to be intentional, not just `let it happen.` Should I get out the door for a run today? Make it happen. Is there someone I care about that I`ve lost track of? Reconnect-make it happen. Is there something I`ve been putting off but really need to do? Stop procrastinating. Make it happen!

To support the Make It Happen Fund, I`ve tapped into a network of Jenny`s friends willing to help. The people with the Lakefront Marathon in her native Milwaukee directed me to her brother in Edina, Minn. to obtain `Make It Happen` wristbands. Another friend of hers, elite American runner Marla Runyan, has come up with a poster to sell to help benefit the fund. She arranged to have some printed for us to sell at our event. Attendees at our recent pre-event a party all signed a large poster that we are sending back to Jenny. I didn`t know about any of this only a few weeks ago, and now it`s an everyday part of my life. Make it happen!

As you go throughout your busy day, take some time to think. What are you really trying to do with your life? What are your intentions? Then put Jenny`s advice to work. Make it happen. It`s not a miracle. With all the love and support, Jenny still has tough days ahead. But by channeling your energy into the things that matter, your world becomes a little better place.

Make it happen. It`s a good way to live.


For more updates on Jenny Crain, go to www.JennyCrain.net.

Wristbands ($5) and posters ($15) will be available at the St Patrick`s Day Human Race on Sunday, March 16 at the University of St Thomas Field House in St Paul, Minn. Attendees will also be asked to sign the large poster we are sending back to Jenny.

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