Monthly Archives: October 2011

Hanging On For Dear Life!

This picture was taken in Los Angeles depicting “Over the Edge” fundraisers who rappelled down the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. It caught my attention immediately as I’m sure it will yours.

I thought about what it must have taken for these individuals to have put their lives at risk. They successfully raised a combined amount in the sum of nearly $200,000.00 dollars. Each participant took an average fifteen minutes for their descent with all proceeds supporting Scout programs in the greater Los Angeles area.

Wow, what a feat! Look at that picture slowly. Can you imagine yourself doing something like that? For most of you thrill seekers I’m quite sure your answer would be yes, no problem. But for most of us— uh, no thank you. The Westin Bonaventure Hotel, besides being located in the heart of the financial district with it’s bright shiny mirrored buildings, boasts an imposing amount of floors, thirty-five to be exact. But there they were, each volunteer ready and willing to make their slow descent.

Now, look at that picture again. Think about the faith it must have taken for these individuals to rely on a system of nothing but ropes and pulleys. They had to trust that their trek to the bottom would be a successful one.

I don’t know about you, but when I saw this woman hanging over the edge as she prepared herself for the long journey down, I was not impressed with her safety gear. A hard hat and blue surgical booties would do nothing to break her fall. I’m thinking about melon hitting the concrete below. Splat! Not pretty, although the booties might make a trendy fashion statement.


The point is, these people were willing do this for someone else, not for themselves. They knew what the risks were going in, yet their concern was for others and how their actions would benefit them.

Since this is my first blog, that picture got me thinking. What is my purpose for writing a blog? Yes I’m petrified, but I’m certainly not dangling on a rope suspended from the rooftop of a high-rise hotel.

My hope is that through my writing I will be able to touch people’s lives and connect with others that will in someway benefit them and not just myself. Just know that as I embark on this new venture, I will be hanging on for dear life while I look out from on top, ready to descend that steep and slippery slope, putting myself out there amongst the unknown galaxy of the universe, otherwise known as the internet, sharing a little splice of our lives.

A big shout out to Kristen Lamb and all my new classmates in My#WANA1011 class and all others that may grace my presence by visiting this post. Take care and make it a great day!

Thank you Everybody!
Karen McFarland

So please let me know what you think. Are any of you out there daredevils? Would you be willing to risk life and limb for others? What is the biggest thing anyone has done for you?
Thank you for your many thoughts and salutations.

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