USA 25 April: Rock Hill, SC - Columbia, SC
We visited a wonderful school, the Children's Home Montessori School.
The children here were so awesome. They had boundless enthusiasm, energy, and sweetness.
Inspiring run with the torchbearing children.
Performing harmony skits for the children.
The children sang a very touching song. Some of the words: "When I get older I will be stronger, then I'll be free...just like a waving flag, and then it goes back. OOO:"
Principal Sandra Lindsay-Brown receives the torch.
Kids with flags
Also the children recited their own poetry about friendship, peace, and harmony. Nothing can be more beautiful than seeing and hearing children offering their own feelings and ideas from the heart.
Receiving the runners certificate of appreciation.
Thank you!
Two special hotel stories today. We were originally given a room in the Hilton Garden Inn in Columbia, SC, however they were over sold and had to give our room one of their customers. So normally we would search for another generous local manager. Well Mr. Sean Branch would have none of that and insisted on paying for a room at the Fairfield in for us. Way beyond generous! Thank you Mr. Branch for your generous and oneness with our mission! We only wish we could have thanked you in person.
The second oneness-story of the evening comes from our friends at the Country Hearth Inn and Suites. They not only gave our runners four large rooms, they offered us a very nice blessing as follows:
"May your efforts and hard work bring the peace we all are trying to see in this world.
May the message of Humanity prevail in the hearts of all people of all nations.
May the Light of the Torch bring Light into peoples lives and end the darkness forever.
Management Team Country Hearth Inn and Suites
Reflections of a World Harmony Runner...
Gratitude is the quality that I really focused on today. The experience of a world harmony runner is difficult to explain, but surely it can be felt. It is a real blessing to be part of the team.
There are countless opportunities and moments when something special is happening or is felt. The energy that is created is something that is larger than any one of us, but together, and with the people (especially the people) that we meet, something beautiful is being created and expressed.
I feel grateful to be running with the torch. The torch that symbolises aspiration and a yearning for true Peace. I feel grateful to be sharing my heart's love for the United States in this special way.
I feel grateful to see the smiles on the children's faces. I feel grateful to be an instrument on this special journey. I feel grateful to be viewed as hero and role model for the kids.
I'm grateful to see so many cities and people. I'm grateful for the opportunity to do something that is really good for the whole world.
I'm grateful for the fresh scent of Honeysuckle wafting on the breeze, the canopy of bright green trees and bushes vibrant with life energy wrapping the roads in a warm embrace. The sound of birds singing sweetly, and roosters crowing confidently.
The warm sun above my head filling me with light and energy. The cold rain falling on my shoulders bringing me to different levels within myself, splashing torch ash on my rainjacket.
The hurried lunch in the van, fresh fruit and water after a long running session.
So many moments are created on this wonderful experience that it's hard to even remember most of them.
Reading and singing in the van.
The crashdown at the hotel after a long, long hot day of miles, ceremonies, shopping, cleaning, cooking.
Each day is like a week's worth of experience. One can only marvel at the magnifencence.
Gratitude
Video Message from Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade: "Toward a Oneness-World".
Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25
or Click on language button for separate youtube videos wth sub titles in varous languages See also:- Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!
- Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min
Distance: 82 miles
Team Members:
Atulya Berube (San Diego), Jagadhata Amrhien (Chicago), Teekhnata Berube (USA), Arpan DeAngelo (New York), Shobhavati Davies (New Zealand), Jana Duskova (Czech Republic), Tom McGuire (New Zealand), Katya Percheklii (Ukraine), Larissa Zub (Belarus), Zuzana Klaskova (Czech Republic), Matthias Eckerle (Germany)
Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.
Gallery: See more images!
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