Today was a rather different kind of day for the U.S. World Harmony Run Team. Our running miles through southeastern Wisconsin into Chicago were covered by our friends here in Chicago, so we essentially had an extra day off. Tomorrow is our scheduled day off, which is a time when we do not have to run or drive anywhere. Being in constant motion for months on end can get quite tiring, so we try to take full advantage of the six days off that we have scheduled in the four months here on the road. These are our last days off before we reach New York City in about three weeks.

Our friends in Chicago, who seem to understand the nature of the perpetual motion effect on our consciousness, kindly have been taking care of us in many ways, even before we reached Chicago. Not only have they run a day’s worth of miles for us, but they have supplied us with every meal since we arrived last night and today. They have given us gifts and even money for spending. Today they hosted a wonderful ceremony at Montrose Beach next to Lake Michigan with about 200 children and adults from various schools in Chicago, called the Chicago Children’s Coalition Prepare Group.

Our good friend Brenda was very enthusiastic as the M.C., making sure that the children were well informed about our event and getting them ‘pumped up’ for our entrance to the park. We were also greeted with a very dynamic rhythm section of the Exodus Drum and Bugle Core, led by Edward James with four young drummers and cymbals to add to the excitement. After our own presentation and introductions, we sang the dynamic World Harmony Run song, written by Sri Chinmoy who is also the founder of the World Harmony Run, with all the kids. To add to the dynamic energy, the drummers helped us out with the rhythm as everyone joined in for a powerful experience in harmony and rhythm.

After this very uplifting and powerful experience, some of the children offered their wonderful thoughts on harmony in the form of songs, poems or comments and artwork as well. The Torch was then passed around to the groups of children to offer their goodwill and wished for harmony as we took some group photos.

Following these very inspiring creations from the children, Brenda and the staff of all the various schools organized a very exciting torch relay. The children were sprinting with their very attractive and safe torches made out of brightly colored papers. It was an event that was truly energizing and exciting to watch as the children gave it their all to get to the other team and relay the torches to each other.

We are extremely grateful to Brenda, Mary and all those who organized and participated in today’s very inspiring event. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Pradhan and Victory’s Banner Restaurant and all the workers there who have fed us so well and put us up for the nights that we are in Chicago.

Arpan and the team

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