Day 6: "We don't have to beat them...we just have to fight them."

January 15: Thirty days left!

The title quote is one of my favorite moments from one of my favorite movies: Braveheart. During this scene, near the start of the movie, a bunch of Scottish leaders are tricked into an ambush by the King of England and slaughtered. After hearing about this, William Wallace's father, Malcolm, speaks that line to inspire his neighbors to fight.

I love the quote, because I think it's easy to fall into the trap that, if you don't accomplish something, it wasn't worth trying. Totally not true. There's a lot to be learned from setting goals that are ambitious (maybe a little crazy), working hard to achieve them and, ultimately, failing to do so.

At least you tried. And, if you failed, you probably accomplished something bigger than those who called it quits before they even gave it a shot.

To date, we've raised over $200 for Akili Academy and, I've already set a goal of $500. But, you know what, I think we can get to $750! Maybe even up to the big $1000! So far, we've received donations of over $100, donations of $5, as well as everything in between.

EVERY -- SINGLE -- DONATION -- IS -- INCREDIBLY -- HELPFUL! I have dozens of AmeriCorps friends who I know can't give a $100 donation, for example. But if 20 of them give $5, we're just as close to reaching our goal.

Drink one less beer or coffee this week and send the proceeds to the Akili Academy! You can donate here: http://www.active.com/donate/daythirtyfive or you can send me a check (made out to "Matthew Haines" or "Akili Academy of New Orleans").

Thanks to Colleen Corocoran for her donation today!! Who will be next? :-)

Thanks thanks thanks!

- Matt