Blog #559: Landing a Paper Airplane in Honolulu

I’m starting to write this blog…
Sunday, October 23, at 8:30 p.m.

Two hours ago…
I was struck by a “You gotta’ be kidding me!” moment.

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As I start this…

November 1 is 8 days and 3.5 hours away. Two hours ago, I realized Honolulu, Hawaii, is not an Extra Mile Day city in 2022.

It’s not a big deal when a city doesn’t participate from one year to the next…
but in this case, it’s a HUGE deal.

Honolulu has always been the reason Extra Mile Day reaches state #50.

Hawaii.

At this moment, we’re sitting at 49 states.

“Ug.”

That’s what I say as I write this politely to you.

That’s not what I am saying as I whisper impolitely to myself.

50 matters to me.

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To control expenses…

We only have phone access to 48 states…and not Alaska and Hawaii.

Over the years, communication with both states has ONLY been by email.

But it’s never been a big deal.

Alaska always comes through with multiple cities…and “Honolulu” has been an Extra Mile Day city since 2009. In fact, in its entirety, the State of Hawaii has previously declared Extra Mile Day.

But at this moment…

No Hawaii.

Not yet.

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“Not yet.”

I know those two words well.
And I choose to believe them now.

Hawaii IS going to happen.

I’m lousy at accepting bad results.

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I didn’t create “Plan B’s.

But I am great personal friends with them.

Tonight…

1. On my Twitter account, I sent a personal Tweet to the Mayor of Honolulu.

2. I Googled the email addresses of Honolulu’s City Council members…and a passionate email to each was drafted and sent.

“If ANY state knows about ‘going the extra mile’…it’s Hawaii. Can you please quickly step in…and make Extra Mile Day happen in Honolulu?”

NINE creative paper airplanes were tossed into the Universe.

In my gut, I BELIVE one will land.

(Note to self: Remember this moment. This is what it feels like BEFORE success comes.)

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I’m now writing on Monday the 24th.

One of the city councilmembers has responded with a message letting us know he’s kicked our email up to the Mayor.

A paper airplane landed.

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It’s now Tuesday the 25th.

No news.

Another round of paper airplanes was sent.

To the Council members.

To the Mayor.

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It’s now Wednesday the 26th.

At 1:16 p.m., an email from the Office of Mayor Rick Blangiardi arrives.

It’s gonna’ happen!

Ironically…

Honolulu comes in as our official 500th city.

Sometimes…

All the puzzle pieces coming together make you believe in Unicorns.

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Today, it’s Thursday the 27th.

I’m sending this blog in sixty minutes.

When results come through that we don’t like…

It’s easy to feel frustrated, mad and choose to accept them.

We comprise what we really wanted, and say: “That’s just the way it is.”

But does it have to be?

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“Look for another way.”

It’s a far better success strategy than: “There’s no way.”

Whatever bad news has snuck into your life…

“You gotta’ be kidding me!” doesn’t have to be your final result.

Believe in “Not Yet.”

Be best friends with Plan B.

And never forget…

The results we get are often the ones we choose to accept.

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(Thank you…Honolulu.)