A MESSAGE FROM Kate's NAMI Fundraising Page
Rahul had wanted to run the New York Marathon by age 40. Since I'm turning 40 this year, I decided to run and raise money in his honor. A huge thanks to Team NAMI for helping me work toward these endeavors.
Rahul took on some strenuous challenges in his lifetime, voluntarily, for the sake of pushing his own limits. You don't need to live your whole life at the extremes, he said, but experiencing that full range will lend perspective and intention to any choices that follow. "Settling," then, is not about complacency, but rather, about contentment.
What one considers "extreme" is relative, of course. I've never been a runner, or a competent athlete of any kind, so a marathon feels extreme to me. I have two, tiny left feet, Rahul said. Sassy, yet kind, and also accurate.
Perhaps he'd have more sass to offer me and my left feet running this marathon. Didn't we all love speculating wildly about "what would Rahul do," before he would delight us with something infinitely more interesting or impressive. Speculating what he'd do now doesn't feel quite right to me anymore.
However, I often think back on "what *did* Rahul do." Very often, in fact, because he did so many courageous, fascinating things.
So, I hope to embody his tenacity and curiosity by pushing myself to run this marathon. I hope we both encourage you to pursue your own extremes, whatever they are. I hope this all moves us toward settling, at our best.
All my love,
Kate
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NAMI-NYC helps families and individuals affected by mental illness build better lives through education, support, and advocacy.
As a mental health leader in New York City, NAMI-NYC provides the most comprehensive family and peer support system.
Our core programs are nationally recognized, evidence-based programs. Since 1982, NAMI-NYC has provided support to a vastly under-served population of families and individuals who live with mental illness. Our Helpline, peer-led support groups, and educational courses allow families and individuals to share their struggles, and talk about symptoms, treatments, community resources, and strategies for coping. All groups and classes are facilitated by trained peer volunteers - we have "been there," where you are, and we understand what you're going through.
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