Let the voices be heard: shattering silence of violence

April 1 marks the beginning of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Having long dealt with and educated myself about the effects of sexual violence and assault I am asking each of you to please take a moment and consider supporting my endeavors in shattering the silence of sexual violence.

According to the CDC, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused in the United States. These crimes are extremely prevalent, but shrouded in silence and shame. Every person knows someone who has been affected by sexual assault, but the majority of folks will never even know it! It is up to us to be the voice for everyone who has been silenced by violence!

I have taken it upon myself to organize Los Angeles' walk of solidarity with the nonprofit organization PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment

Each city (there are currently 6 participating cities nationwide with more being being added) has a goal of $12,250.00 Please support me in speaking out about this epidemic that affects all of us and those that we know and love. Please Donate now anything is greatly appreciated.

If you are in the Los Angeles area and would like to participate and walk please contact me: hssheldon at gmail dot com

I. AM. A. RUNNER.

**the photo was borrowed from google images--if this is your image please let me know and I'll take it down and/or credit you. Thank you!**

Last night I went for my daily run/walk. I wasn't quite sure that I was making progress until last night. I have been trying to go out every evening--surprisingly I look forward to my jaunt all day. If I miss a day or two (this wkend it was three!)I still have gotten right back into it when my schedule goes back to normal. Usually, if I take a few days break from an activity like this, I'll just give up and keep pushing back until 'later' and of course that never comes. Alas, I am on week 3 and feeling great! I ran from my apartment (25th st) up 24th to Harris and 21st. It was the longest continuous run I've done--possibly ever!--and I wasn't out of breath and I felt SO good. Wow. What a great feeling. I think I could really become a runner. A real runner. Someone who could run a half marathons, full marathons or maybe a triathalon (that may be too ambitious)? My goal is to start training for a half marathon next year. Maybe I'll try to do the New York marathon (half) and run with a charity? It is every November. That would give me a good year to train. I never thought I'd enjoy running as much as I do. I LOVE it. Without music--just me, my legs and the air. Mmmmhmmm. It feels good to know that I can change my self. I always thought I would never be very active because I got so winded so quickly. My big excuse was that I couldn't run because of my lung damage I have from my bouts of pneumonia. Sure, it is there and definitely has affected me but I haven't ever had the motivation to get up and just go for it, and see if I could train myself. Now I feel like I can. It all goes back to that cleanse, and really proving to myself that I am the only one with the power over my well-being and decisions.

Let's rev the community-economic engine, folks

If you haven't already been introduced to the 3/50 project you need to. It's a brilliant concept geared towards "saving the brick and mortars our nation was built on" and I for one, am going to heartily join the movement.

Cheers! And, happy local shopping!