Baby Steps Lead to Big Milestones
Jul 23, 2012

We’ve all heard it before.

You have to walk before you can run. 

This phrase conjures up numerous images in my mind.  Images of my own five children, each learning in their own way, and in their own time, how to walk and how to run.  But ultimately it serves as a constant reminder that we must master the basic skills before we can achieve more complex things.  Often this takes time.  It takes perseverance.  And it takes patience.
Admittedly, patience is not my best virtue.  I want results and I want them fast.  Perhaps that is why, when I consider the many global issues that face our society today, I get a bit disillusioned.
How is it that I can live in a nice home, where my children and I are relatively healthy, safe from harm and free from disease, when half way around the world, woman and children are dying needlessly from things we can easily prevent?
There was a time when I felt powerless over these tragedies – when I believed that there was nothing that I, personally, could do to make a difference.  Looking back, I believe I was trying to detach myself from the awful realities.  In essence, I was giving myself permission not to become emotionally consumed by these social injustices.
However, these words have recently brought me some perspective.

The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.  – John Pierpont Morgan.

Several months ago, I took my first step by becoming a Champion for the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign.  I was inspired further when I learned how the UN Foundation has been taking their own steps towards making the world a safer, healthier, and better place for women and children.  The UN Foundation’s work in global health – including vaccines, reproductive health, clean cookstoves, malaria and mobile technology have all contributed to slashing preventable deaths – by 70 percent – within one generation.  It was then that I realized that each tiny step I can take in support of the UN Foundation could lead to significant milestones.

There is no one giant step that does it.  It’s lots of little steps. – Peter A. Cohen

In support of Shot@Life, I’m now connected with hundreds if not thousands of other global health advocates.  I’m advocating for change in every way that I can – by hosting Shot@Life events, signing petitions, sending emails to Congress, donating money and educating others about the need for change.  Now I realize that my baby steps, in union with those of many others, can provide the support for organizations, such as the UN Foundation, who are constantly pushing us towards the finish line of this great marathon.
Now, although I’m realistic about the stumbling blocks that continue to challenge our society, I can still envision the end of the marathon and the fact that we are running to the rescue of millions of people around the world.

One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks. – Jack Penn

This journey towards better global health is not going to be accomplished in one, giant step, but will certainly be achieved with perseverance, determination and patience – one step at a time.  Hopefully, today will be the day you join us in taking your first step towards change.  To find out how you can help us “make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks,” and achieve big milestones in the fight for better global health, consider becoming a Champion and visit the Shot@Life website today.

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