5/1/13

Goddess of the Week: Tara

Gabriel Cordell needs a goddess. It only takes an instant to change your life, and in Gabriel's case, that instance left him paralyzed. He was an actor on the move until a driver ran a red light. Now Gabriel is in a wheelchair.

As you read this, Gabriel is rolling across America. He started in Santa Monica, CA. He will end in West Hempstead, NY, just in time for his high school reunion. He aims for twenty-plus miles a day. That's 75 Days.

Why is Gabriel doing this? Because he can. Because it's awesome. Because if Gabriel can roll his wheelchair across America you can certainly lose those five pounds you've been worried about, or write that novel you have inside you, or get through that freaking nightmare you're enduring.

We need heroes. Gabriel is being a hero and proving to himself and others that the adventures don't stop when your life gets derailed. In fact, sometimes it's the derailment that really gets you moving, and so, of course, he needs a goddess! I am giving him the Buddhist goddess Tara. Tara protects navigators and travelers, and it seems to me you need help with both if you are going to roll across the country.

As a Buddhist goddess, however, Tara is also all about compassion and relieving suffering, and what a perfect thought for such a journey. Twenty-plus miles a day. Seventy-five days. Man. Talk about your blisters and your sunscreen, and those are the easy pains! Think about the endurance, the self doubt. I mean all that rolling: that's a lot of time to think about things.  You're bound to have good days and bad days, but you just have to keep the tires spinning. That's really where you have to cut yourself some slack and just be kind to yourself.  Spin and be kind. Repeat, and repeat, and you will make it to wherever you are going.

Go Gabriel! We're rooting for you. Learn more about Gabriel's journey and how you can help at Rollwithme.org. 

Channel this goddess: When you are tired of spinning. When your inner critic is being a real bitch.

Need a goddess? I got goddesses! Post a comment explaining what you need a goddess for. Then check back in a week or two and see what you got. It's fun! It's free! It is way easier that rolling across America.

PS: My amazing friend Yvette is coordinating some of the logistics for Gabriel. Why? Because that's who she is, baby. That's the way she rolls.

19 comments:

Cafe Pasadena said...

Besides, Goddess Tara, i recommend to Gabriel the Angel Gabriel.

Olga said...

This post has touched so close to home. Our lovely niece was confined to a wheel chair for life on the night of her high school graduation. She was returning home from an alcohol-free party when a drunk ran a red light and changed her life. She has graduated from UConn and has been teaching gifted students and her spirit is an inspiration, as is Gabriel.

Jane N Rollins said...

The goddess Tara will resonate with me -- not only because I am headed out next Tuesday to the NGS conference in Vegas, but because I am writing a book with the working title of "Health Care Navigation 101." So I figure Tara is doubly relevant...

Watson said...

May the road before you be smooth Gabriel, and the hills gentle. Tara, St Christopher, and Gabriel the Archangel surround you with strength and good friends along the way.

Petrea Burchard said...

So that was Yvette! Good for her, and good for Gabriel. We do need heroes like him, to remind us what we can do and how fortunate we are.

I think we all have a story to tell about drivers who don't pay attention and hurt someone else. My 9-year-old neighbor went to her first funeral a couple of weeks ago; her friend lost her father when a texting driver ran into his car.

Shell Sherree said...

We do need heroes like Gabriel, Margaret. And it's good to have goddesses and Yvette lending them a hand.

Bec said...

Gabriel's quest is really inspiring! Thanks for sharing his story.

Desiree said...

Wow. Thanks Margaret for posting

Tony Van Helsing said...

The perfect goddess for Gabriel. good choice.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Where is he now? Thats one heady entrance he'll be making. yay Gabriel

Petrea Burchard said...

I found the "Roll With Me" blog, last updated April 24th.
http://rollwithme.org/
Be sure and watch the video.

Petrea Burchard said...

You can follow him on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/rollwithmeusa

Ms M said...

Inspiring story! And I like Daisy's idea of Tara, St. Christopher and Gabriel the Archangel rolling with him.

Adele said...

That's an amazing story. Thanks for sharing, Margaret. My brother-in-law is in a wheelchair, as a result of polio. He is now a triathlete and marathon enthusiast. He will love hearing about Gabriel's journey.

Ann Erdman said...

I never realized that my niece Tara and "Gone With the Wind"'s Tara were named for a Buddhist goddess. How wonderful!

Anonymous said...

A roll model. Sounds like a great guy.

TheChieftess said...

Ahhhh... I need Tara...is she just as effective for losing 10-20- + pounds???

Susan Campisi said...

That is so cool! What an inspiration. He's in Oklahoma now. Tornado Watch. Yikes. Hope they're all safe.

Here's the update from his site:

DAY 46 – May 18th, 2013
Tornado Watch + High Winds = Shortened Day

Rolling through Red Carpet Country
Ended Day @ KOA Kampground, Geary, OK

Petrea Burchard said...

You can download a free app and track Gabriel's progress.

http://download.cnet.com/RollWithMe/3000-20415_4-75897461.html