Thank goodness for sweat!
I was at indoor cycling class the other day – it is a fantastic and challenging workout taught by Janelle, a terrific instructor, who is both incredibly encouraging yet tough at the same time. In her class, you achieve more than you ever dreamed possible and, as a result, are motivated to train harder. One of her favorite expressions goes something like this: “if you have any pain in your joints, take care of your body … if you don’t, then it’s time to get to work!” She’s serious, but says it with a smile. Her classes are always full because people respect who she is and how she teaches, and flock to work out with her. Hopefully, this gives you a sense of what it’s like in her class.
So, it’s Friday morning and we’ve been working out, hard, for 40 minutes. I’m almost spent, and now it’s time for the hardest ‘climb’ of the day – a 6 minute, exceptionally steep hill climb with no breaks and the occasional extra ‘push.’ An instrumental remix of the chorus in “Life in a northern town” starts to play. Many of you know it … “Ah hey oh ma ma ma hey, Ah hey oh ma ma ma hey.” The steel drums are playing in this rendition – the performers are harmonizing the chorus beautifully, “ah hey oh ma ma hey …” Janelle is encouraging us – asking us to celebrate the fact we’re healthy enough to work hard like this; reminding us there are people who would exchange places with us in a heartbeat, if they could only be as healthy. Sweat is pouring off my face, I’m so in the moment. I hear the steel drums and the beautiful singing … and suddenly I’m transported in my mind to Africa – to Kenya. I hear the girls at St. Elizabeth Secondary School singing, celebrating they have a REAL chance at a better life, celebrating they already are in a position to make a difference in their community and with girls younger than they … celebrating life, celebrating hope! Tears of joy start running down my face “Ah hey oh ma ma ma heh. ” I am overcome and am rejoicing with the girls, rejoicing in their hope! Then I realize I’m back in indoor cycling class, my tears mixing with the sweat pouring down my face – we’re at the top of the climb – the class is over. I’ve just had the most surreal private moment of joy in the midst of 30 other people working out. Truthfully, I’m a bit embarrassed that I was crying in class (:-)) and am at once thankful for my sweat – no one knew.
I love these moments of pure joy – to reflect on the amazing opportunity we have to make a difference and be part of something wonderful in someone else’s life. It’s all so humbling, and so fantastic.
(By the end of the week, I’ll post more details on the project in Kenya – stay tuned, there’s some great news!)
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About margoday
I have been at Microsoft for 10 years and am currently on sabbatical and personal leave for a year. I am using this time to focus my passion and energy on raising funds and awareness for the Kenya Vulnerable Girls Education Project and Child Protection, partnering with World Vision. The education project will positively affect many hundreds of girls in 5-7 areas in the Western Rift Valley of Kenya by building schools and deepening community advocacy for the education of the girl child. World Vision’s Child Protection initiative will protect over 50,000 children from exploitation as child laborers or in the sex trade.
I stepped away from my responsibilities as Vice President, West Region for Small and Midmarket Solutions and Partners (SMS&P) in the US after 5 years in September, 2011. In this role, I was responsible for the marketing and sale of Microsoft commercial products and services to corporate account and medium-sized business customers in the Western United States. In addition, I was responsible for ensuring the overall health of the Microsoft partner ecosystem, as well as deepening managed partner relationships in the region.
I have been in the technology field for a long time, having more than 27 years of experience in high technology software sales, marketing, business development and partner/channel management. (I joke to many that I started working when I was two years old :-)). In my previous role at Microsoft, I served as Vice President of the U.S. Partner Group for five years, where I was responsible for partner strategy and program execution for Microsoft’s US partner ecosystem, managing the largest national System Integrators, ISVs, Distributors and Large Account Resellers. During my tenure I was recognized by CRN and VARBusiness as the #7 channel executive in the industry and was a frequent keynote speaker at industry channel conferences.
Before joining Microsoft in 2001, I was Executive Vice President at SoftQuad Software, Ltd., and Vice President and Managing Director of Go2Net. I also spent seven years at Lotus Development Corporation in senior positions in the North American SMB Sales, Enterprise Sales, Field Marketing, and Business Partner Sales organizations.
Making a difference in people’s lives is so important to me. I am a member of the Board of Advisors for the Renton/Skyway Boys and Girls Club (former board President), a Founding Board Member of SeeYourImpact (www.seeyourimpact.org) and current co-chair of the World Vision National Leadership Council for Child Protection. I am partnering with WorldVision to address issues related to girls’ education and child protection, recently completing construction of the St. Elizabeth's Secondary School for Girls in West Pokot, Kenya. I have been honored for my work on behalf of women at Microsoft, earning its 2006 Most Inspirational Woman award.
I live in the Seattle, WA area and love being outdoors. I enjoys backpacking, boating, cycling, scuba diving, skiing, golf, adventure travel and, when it’s rainy outside, attending concerts and theater in addition to enjoying a great glass of wine.
Your heart-filled testimony made ME cry … and I wasn’t even there! Thank you SO much for sharing this! You are SO right … NOTHING is better than knowing that someone who had no hope now has hope! God BLESS you!!! Love you!!!
I saw a sign in Toronto this week that captures your essence, in both your personal commitment to such a worthy cause and the culture you bring to Microsoft. You are a person who “inspires lives of leadership and purpose.” I am inspired to live a much bigger life when I read your posts.