Before we left the Best Western Inn of Hereford, Texas this morning, we met Chris and Brad from CrossWalk America, part of an emerging Christian movement which encourages openness to other faiths, care for the earth and its ecosystems, valuing artistic expressions in all its forms, welcome and inclusion of all people, seeking peace and ending systemic poverty and embracing of both faith and science. We happen to be staying at the same motel in the same town as we travel west and they travel east. Quite a serendipitous moment for us both.

Bangshidhar teaches the children a few moves of Hawaiian Harmony Hula.

Our whole team of ten runners made our way to the Bluebonnet School in Hereford not too far from the hotel. Over 200 children and teachers were outside on the front lawn eagerly awaiting our arrival. A small group of children met our runners just before the schoolyard and ran in with the torch to the screams of all the other children.

Principal Salinas of the Blue Bonnet School led her students in a rousing welcome for the team.

To start the program, Mrs. Kahler and her music choir of about 20 children sang a beautiful song called, ‘Make A Difference’. One verse goes:

‘Children are like tiny seeds: they need our love and care.

Nourish them and help them grow with friendly words you share.

Make a difference, help someone’s dream come true.

Seize the moment! The power is in you!’

It was a wonderful moment to seize as the whole school participated in sharing these creative moments of harmony with us. Many children had posters they made, paper torches, as well as singing songs for us.

After we all sang the World Harmony Run song together, the teachers took the torch and ran a lap around the front lawn again to the excited screams of all the children. We are grateful to Dan Odell, the physical education teacher, Mrs. Salinas, the principal, Mrs. Kahler and all the other staff that made these harmonious moments possible.

The kids always get excited when their teachers do a lap or two with the torch.

Anja, our German runner who is with us for more than half our trip around the U.S., commented on today’s ceremony, “They `Make A Difference` is what we sometimes tell the kids. They make the difference in the future, in the world by spreading inspiration for a more harmonious blue planet. As the children sang the song for us it was a moment of joy, oneness and harmony in the air.”

Francesco also had an inspiring experience during the ceremony. He said, “Day after day our dream of world harmony is becoming a reality, tangible and real. Being with the kids today increases our hope for a better future.”

The rest of the day was more like survival on the road. Luckily the temperature did not reach 100 F today but it did climb up into the lower 90’s. There was a tailwind which cooled things down and made the running a bit easier.

Ahhh! You just can’t help but love the great outdoors.

I also had a 6 mile stretch of highway that was closed for repairs so I was able to run in my own lane while the traffic passed me by at a safe distance.

We ended yet another day in another state, entering New Mexico, the ‘Land of Enchantment’. For me, this is a great turning point in the Run as we enter the Southwest and start to climb in elevation to the high deserts. The air becomes fresh, dry and invigorating with the aroma of sage plants lining our way.

The word ‘harmony’ does not even have to be uttered here as the sense of harmony with nature, with the earth, is inherent in the surroundings and the way of life of many of the native people here.

After days of running in the blazing southwestern sun, Sumner Lake was a true oasis.

We look forward to the next few weeks as we traverse the Southwest, eventually heading north along the Rocky mountains. We are now resting for the night in Sumner Lake State Park where the wind sings through the trees and the stars cast a warm glow upon our campsite.

Sunset over the prairies are always a spectacular crescendo to a fulfilling day.

We definitely are renewed with inner harmony when we have a chance to enjoy a bit of nature off the roads. The stresses of a long and laborious day disappear into the vastness of the universal harmony.

Arpan and Team Harmony

---

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

< USA 21 May

World Harmony Run in Anchorage, AK >