Because there's one more thing missing – and that's PURPOSE. Once it's there, that fleetingness instantly turns into an opportunity. A chance for something lasting to be born. Purpose is like a message that gets passed on and shouldn't fade away. If I upgrade a mere physical feat with the role of “information carrier”, I also give it a purpose seasoned with a dose of responsibility.
When I think about it, many great feats began without any starting gun. And yet they were achievements that earned huge attention. Their aim was a message, and that's what gave the feat its purpose. Take Saints Cyril and Methodius, for example. They pulled off a tremendous feat, and thanks to the learning they brought, their message became immortal. The result is clear – it had a purpose.
People often ask me why I do this or that.
“Because it makes sense,” I reply. And when they ask what sense, my answer depends on the particular challenge I've taken on.
I always say you need a reason or a story behind your effort. Ideally both.
However long my ventures are, and even though I spend most of the time on my own, there's always someone with me virtually. Sometimes it's people from care homes for the disabled, other times children from children's homes. Mostly those who need motivation, help, a role model or simply proof that whatever you set your mind to can be done – as long as you go for it.
Now, just as so many times over the past ten years, I sit and think. Not about what I'll do, but how I'll do it. Because I already know the goal. And yet it all started so innocently.
At the time I was organising a 24-hour walking challenge. During it, Václav Lys approached me and introduced me to the project to build A House for Julie (A House for Julie). Vašek asked whether I'd like to help them spread the word about the project, or even help with fundraising. Building a children's hospice is a technical term – but the fates of the children and their loved ones are a sensitive subject for me. In the whole project and the chance to help, I found PURPOSE.
I decided to get involved by spreading the word and setting up what I call collection points. That is, places where collection boxes will be installed temporarily, and sometimes permanently, so people can donate to the House for Julie project. And to spread the word, I'll use a physical challenge. It will serve as a carrier for the message – widening the chance to help.
I've decided to set off from the warmth of my South Moravian home on a kick scooter, first to Sněžka, then to Králický Sněžník and finally to Lysá hora. I'll ride to the foot of each mountain, leave the scooter there and symbolically climb to the summit. Along the way I plan to set up collection points at places agreed in advance. Anyone who wants to help can get in touch with me about where to put them. So if you, or someone you know, would like to set up a collection point in your business or shop, I'll gladly come by. And since I'll be setting off from Brno, there could be countless places along the way to put them.
Now all that's left is to choose the right route.
How do I get the message that gives my whole journey its purpose across properly? Planning is the very beginning of a series not only of thought processes but also of actions aimed at making them happen.
I call, I write, I research, I spend ages thinking about how to optimise everything – how to make the most of the planned route, where to set up collection points, where to meet people, how to let as many people as possible know about the whole journey? I have to sort out tracking and reports – in short, fill the time that's meant to serve a good cause. But I also come up against worries, attempts to talk me out of it and incomprehension. That mustn't and can't put me off, though. After all, we've decided on a good cause that makes sense, and that's my goal: to give the effort a purpose!
But what I've described is still only one side of the coin. The other is the longing to set off and feel that bliss of freedom that comes with the city at my back and a free breath filling my lungs. I'm checking my kit rather than fine-tuning it. Experience tells me what I'll need, so I don't make many mistakes any more.
Helping those I can't help – that's not a typo, but a realisation of the need to spread the word about the chance to help. A children's hospice is a place that can only bring relief to those who can't be cured. As well as to those who live with them, and with that thought, 24 hours a day.
The gear and kit are waiting for their time. Time, which is the most precious thing we have. But how much of it does each of us actually have?
