A superb reminder of the positives of this funny old species of ours!

The issue of what man is doing to our biosphere is all important, probably above all else.  It surely occupies much of the thinking time of me and countless others across the globe.  It seems so obvious that we are harming the planet it’s easy to forget that there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people who are making a very positive difference in countless ways.

Take Erik Bendl. Not someone I had previously heard of so thanks to Lew L. who sent me the information.

As the website World Guy explains,

Erik Bendl has walked over six thousand miles for the cause of diabetes awareness. In recent years he and his dog named Nice have walked in over thirty nine states and Washington D.C. to help diabetes organizations and encourage people to get healthy with exercise to control and prevent diabetes. When you see him on the road stop to say hello, walk with him or call him @ (502) 408-5772. (This includes a link to here)

That link (this one) takes you to a place on the website of the American Diabetes Association from which one further learns,

I AM STEPPING OUT BECAUSE…

I am Stepping Out because the American Diabetes Association’s Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes is so much more than a fundraising event to me. It is my opportunity to change the future and make a positive impact in the lives of those who are affected by diabetes. I am committed to walk and raise money in this inspirational event not because 26 million people in the United States have diabetes, but because I personally know some of them, and I want to do something about it.

I am now inviting you to join me in my quest to prevent and cure diabetes once and for all. Chances are, you also know someone who has been affected by diabetes and you already know how important it is to stop this disease. By making a donation on my behalf, you will be helping the Association provide community-based education programs, protect the rights of people with diabetes and fund critical research for a cure.

With your help, we will fight for a future where a parent does not have to hear that their child has diabetes. A future where an adult does not have to face the uncertain times ahead after receiving a diabetes diagnosis. A future where you and I will know that we had a part in making this possible.

I truly appreciate your support. Together we can Stop Diabetes!

Easy to read, even easier to copy and paste into this post.  Far, far more difficult to undertake what Erik and Nice have been doing for so long.

Uploaded on Aug 25, 2011

FORT RIPLEY — He may have the world on a string, but Erik Bendl’s highly visible stroll along Highway 371 is hardly a walk in the park. The Louisville, Ky., carpenter and his dog, Nice, are walking along the highway shoulder with a large, inflatable, rubber globe in order to raise awareness about diabetes.

This particular walk started in Sheboygan, Wis., and has Lake Itasca as its final destination. His route took him into Iowa before heading into Minnesota.

“I’m walking until the snow flies,” he said.

Stopping to answer questions from the curious near Eagle’s Landing on Tuesday afternoon, Bendl had a few northbound miles to go until Fort Ripley, his stated goal for that day.

The 49-year-old travels about 10 to 15 miles a day and estimated he had walked about 3,000 miles in 26 states in his five trips with Nice. Asked what kind of dog his non-descript companion was, Bendl replied, “He’s a brown dog.”

But apart from the commitment to his chosen cause, Erik also writes beautifully.  Take this recent piece (which I trust Erik doesn’t mind me reposting here.)

Out of a dream

I awoke thinking I was writing about the twelve miles we had pushed against the wind. It took ten hours. Good people stopped and gave us water through the windy, hot day. Never thirsty, backpack still full at the end of the day with the bottles I started out with in the morning. Others brought food for us to eat. Dog biscuits and salad for me. Burgers and chews kept our stomachs full and my pack heavier with extra dogs treats when we stopped for the night.

We met diabetics of all shapes, ages and size. Stubborn ones who are not to be told and dedicated ones who want to grow old. I was told by all what I am doing is an inspiration, still some could not get away fast enough, lest they admit they could do more for themselves.

Everyday someone will tell me as they leave, smiling ear to ear, that I have made their day happier. A bonus which makes my day a joy.

Now I am awake from my sleepy dream. The fog has lifted from my tired senses. I hesitate to read over what I have just written. Will it make any sense? Will it matter? Or Am I still dreaming?

I think I will push the “send” button and forget, like most other dreams.

Why not send him an email to remind him of the universal power of being a good person: erikbendl (at) gmail (dot) com

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