40hr Famine 2012 - First Time Ever!

I think I may have done a half-arsed attempt or two at the 40hr Famine in high school but I cannot honestly say I have ever completed it. 

I had actually forgotten there was such an initiative as the 40hr Famine until an event invitation came my way on Facebook earlier this week from Emma Teede & her team of Crossfit Foxes from Fernwood Jindalee.  As an aside: I have not tried Crossfit (yet!) but I have spent a fair bit of time recently with Emma & her team of kick arse trainers in their amazing facility while I did train the trainer and other workshops with Emazon.  Emma and her team made me feel so welcome. Still buzzing from the week that was! I am in awe of what they are doing – these chicks rock.

So back to the event invitation.  I read the event invite: The team are doing the 40hr Famine and each person is choosing what things they will go without from 8pm Friday 17 August until noon on Sunday 19 August. Food, internet, technology, furniture  - there are myriad options.  I thought “Hmmm. Now the 40hr Famine is something I cannot say I’ve done and maybe I should think about what I would find challenging to go without for 40hr“.  I let it sit in the back of my mind for a couple of days but then when it kept coming to the front of my mind again I thought “Dammit! Perhaps I have to do this…” and so I checked out the 40hr Famine website.  It askes in bold orange letters: “Can you see a better future?“

Yes. I can. 

I went on to read the other information on the site about where the funds raised go, the objectives and realised how easy it is to focus on ‘First World Problems’. We often joke with one another via twitter or posting memes about ‘First World Problems’ but there is truth in it – we get so wrapped up in our little worlds and forget what REAL struggles people in other parts of our world have.

I am not going to hound people for money. I have joined the Crossfit Foxes group and if you would like to sponsor me, you can contribute to their fundraising effort.  You can sponsor US here.

I am doing this because I *can* see a better future for all – not just those on our doorstep but around the world.

I am doing to remind myself that even though sometimes it seems like it is an overwhelming and impossible task for humans to right some wrongs in the world that it starts with each of us as individuals. It starts with me being the change I want to see in the world.

I am doing this to remind myself that my ‘First World Problems’ are often nothing but sooky la la bullshit.

I am doing this to take time out to show gratitude for the freedom, choices and resources that I have and to reflect on what exactly is essential for health, well being and happiness.

Last coffee earlier today… no coffee will be the toughest bit.

So what exactly have I chosen to go without? I have chosen the traditional option of giving up food plus something that will be really, really hard for me at the moment – giving up caffeine! I am going to limit my use of technology / internet / social media to just what is absolutely necessary for my work, study and event organisation during this time as well.

Like I said, I won’t hound people for donations. If you would like to donate that would be lovely. Please donate here.

Thanks for inviting me to take part Foxes! You rock! xx Ange

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