I do not always go right for the kill! Honestly; unless it is a direct attack on someone I care about, someone helpless, or myself, when I am faced with a difference of opinion or a different way of seeing something, I will take the time to put myself in the other person’s shoes and really consider their thoughts and opinions too. On several occasions I have heard the opinion that Relentless is a “show” that it has become a bit of a spectacle, and that those involved are looking for high fives and recognition for doing good, that it is just too in your face. That when doing good deeds in the world it should be done in secret, so that we can honestly say we are giving with no exceptions of anything in return! Each time I heard this, I just listened and offered no opinion either way. I wanted time to think on this, it took months of thinking when suddenly it came to me. Yes. Relentless is all these things! Relentless has become huge, big and even a show, but it has to be, Relentless has to be just what it is! Let me explain. Most of us have done something kind to help out another and we did it in total silence. Example, no one knows but one year my husband booked the wrong flight, we did not have the money to fix it, so his coach, who at the time was Brian Carroll, without hesitation says, let me buy your flight until you can get it all sorted out and pay me back later. This saved our family from losing a bunch of money we had invested into Bert getting to the XPC, he had a great meet that year, thanks to Brian’s kindness and selfless giving. Another example, Gene owner of the RPS, loves his lifters and loves animals, one of his lifters was going to have to miss his meet because of an astronomical vet bill for his dog, so what does Gene do? He pays the bill and gives the lifter gas money to get to the meet. Bert and I passed a homeless guy day after day, one day we went home made him a care package of socks, tools, non-perishable foods and clean shirts. His tears of gratitude said it all. These are all examples of giving in silence, just as the Lord ask of us to do. They are also examples of giving within our means. Acts of such kindness take place often in the powerlifting community and they all are worthy of praise, praise to the Lord for giving all of us the ability to give, to help and to love others. With all that being said, Relentless started out as people quietly giving within their means, yet the individuals giving realized that the need was bigger than they could fill alone, bigger than a plane ticket, bigger than a vet bill and bigger than a care package. The needs of the Relentless families are so huge that the organizers of Relentless decided to take a chance and see if the world was up to the challenge, see if the world was ready to unit and give one by one, helping little by little to make a big problem that seemed impossible to help, help-able. Once the people involved with Relentless saw the outcome of reaching out within their community, they got excited and wanted to reach out even further! I know some may seem over the top but that is what is needed at times to get peoples attention, to sell your idea of giving hope! That is really what it is, selling a idea, convincing others to believe and give. How does one do that humbly and silent? The humility comes when you see the faces of the children in the hospital beds looking to you for a smile, for respect and for unconditional love. Imagine believing in giving help, hope, support and love to families that are facing some of the hardest heart ache known to man. These families have been asked to endure watching their little children fight bravely a battle that some will lose no matter what. Yet they fight bravely with pride, dignity, and hope to the very last breath. So when you look at it, YES, Relentless is everywhere, it is all over Facebook and it is in your face, because it has to be. If the people who believe in giving hope didnt push, didnt work every angle possible to raise money, then who will? Are you setting money aside to help these families? If Relentless stopped tomorrow are you going to reach out to all the families personally and give them your support year after year, in silence? There are so many horrible problems in the World that need help and hope. Instead of picking this one apart, look within and ask yourself what would you do? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? After seeing the face of a child you helped light up, would you stop there? Would you stay silent or would you reach out with your arms wide open, screaming from the roof tops and fight for more help, for more hope?! The people involved with Relentless are on fire because they want to give, they want to help, they want to save, they want to love and they want to fight alongside these families with everything they got! This is not a fight that can be won in silence, and it is not a fight that can be fought by one, it is a fight that takes a team of warriors standing side by side, ready to do whatever it takes, ready to be Relentless. Semper Fi - Bert Knight Underwood Mecca Barbell Tommy Westhoff Scott Nutter
Posted on: Tue, 04 Nov 2014 16:40:35 +0000
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