#StepsForBeth, A Community Destination

[Renee_Carney]

There are the destinations we plan for, and then there are those we happen upon by accident. On June 27, 2018, a special cohort of the Canvas Community started a [virtual] journey to a destination they knew was beyond their reach, but they did it for the unexpected peaks, valleys, and vistas along the way.

THE STEPPERS:

The Canvas Community’s very own panda prompted a call to action [Panda #stepsforbeth], and 27 community members immediately responded. As word spread, more and more steppers heeded Panda's call and by journey’s end a diverse mix of 83 Canvas users, Instructure employees, friends, and family members had stepped up for the challenge.

THE TREK:

The virtual journey was a 457-mile trek, from Instructure headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah to InstructureCon 2018 at the Keystone Resort in Keystone, Colorado where Beth would make her first triumphant appearance since her stroke in 2017. To accomplish such a trek in the 31 day challenge, an individual would have to walk almost 30,000 steps, or about 15 miles, a day. But, as stated before, this wasn’t about the final destination, it was about the journey.

THE JOURNEY:

The journey is the real heart and soul of this story. There were tangible goals (days, miles, steps, rewards), but the greatest outcomes came not from individual success, but from the unified front and forever friendships that formed among the band of acquaintances.

In a world of snark, silliness, and propaganda in our digital lives, participating in #stepsforbeth helped restore and maintain my faith in humanity and gave me an island of tranquility and positivity to visit every day. ~Adam Williams

It was nice to be part of something bigger than me. And it was awesome to see all the support and love for #stepsforbeth ~Alli Foote

I liked how all of a sudden I was connecting with Canvas colleagues about "life" instead of work.
~Kristin Lundstrum

The challenge made me go to the gym and walk every work day. When walking/jogging at the gym I'd remember why I was there, and I'd push through, no matter how grueling it was. ~Kenneth Rogers

[I’m} Amazed and proud of the way the Canvas Community came together to support and help one of our own. Most people didn’t know Beth that well, but it didn’t matter. She was one of “us” and we banded together for the bigger cause. Really showed that we are a family. A big crazy extended family, but a family nonetheless.

~Kona Jones

[I felt] A part of a larger Community, and one that cares! I may have actually helped someone, even if it was just to make her personal journey more comfortable. ~Kelley Meeusen

I like that the community is greater than what we see  everyday and that we are real people that care about each other. ~Ryan Seilhammer

...it's because of you all and THIS that I pushed myself and walked over a mile yesterday! So when I say every step counts, it's you all inspiring ME to get out of this wheelchair. ~Beth Crook

COMMUNITY, A WORTHY DESTINATION:

Community can be uncomfortable and scary, for it requires a level of humility, vulnerability, and intimacy that many shy away from. Community requires us to put our selfish tendencies aside and care for the needs and aspirations of others. Community requires us to build relationships. Communities vary in size, physical space, and even modality (#stepsforbeth, and the Canvas Community thrive virtually). Communities allow us to be a part of something bigger than ourselves!

ANOTHER CALL TO ACTION:

Because #stepsforbeth taught us so much about the importance of the journey and about the joys of community, we'd like to issue a second call to action. This call to action has no metrics or deadline; it is a plea for you to get involved in a community, or dive deeper into one where you’re already involved. Get connected to your fellow humans, and when you do, be sure to return and share the unexpected peaks, valleys, and vistas you found along your journey!

[victoria-maloy]

[tellison]

Thank you  @Renee_Carney ‌ for this write up.  It was wonderful to be a part of something "Canvas Strong," to celebrate achievements, frustration, and of course community.  

[kona]

Thank you to  @BethCrook ‌ for allowing us on this journey with you and thank you to the amazing Canvas Community for showing people what community really means! 

[mjennings]

[BethCrook]

I actually just logged in to post a quote that I felt sort of summed up this experience.   But once I logged in, I found this blog post. (Y'all always manage to post these blog posts in the middle of the night so that I start my morning crying! Happy tears nonetheless.) So I'm going to put this here and go finished having my big cry with a smile on my face and a warmed heart and kick some butt this Friday!

“By doing what you love, you inspire and awaken the hearts of others.” Satsuki Shibuya

I cannot wait to hear what you all do with this new challenge!

[orwinr]

Thanks,  @BethCrook  for allowing us to participate on your journey and wishing you the best as you power through all of your physical therapy. I suspect that we will see you vertical at InstructureCon 2019 in Long Beach 🙂  @Renee_Carney , thanks for this post. I find the Canvas Community to be one of the best things about being a Canvas institution. Loads of awesome, helpful people to be found if you engage. Thanks to all for being so supportive of another community member!

[BethCrook]

I hope to see you next year also!  Although, I may be horizontal.  In the sand.  On the beach.  Following twitter feeds of what's happening in the Convention center. Just saying.

[tellison]

We will just have to get our steps in coming to find you!

[Renee_Carney]

I'm glad you added some clarifiers there, because horizontal won't cut it 😉

Our little Community team is doing another Stridekick journey, and each time I check my progress I think of you!!!!

[BethCrook]

**digging into the personal archive to find a photo to keep you all motivated**

Okay, while I was at InstCon18, my husband and kids went to the beach boardwalk one afternoon and got henna tattoos

And this one was a post on fb my husband took...notice where I was and what I was doing    That was with the K-12 User Group in Keystone.

[BethCrook]

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

-- Desmond Tutu

[BethCrook]

This week of Thanksgiving, I keep finding my thoughts going back to this journey, this group, this community, this village.  I am so thankful for you all, your friendships, your support, your camaraderie!   

[laurakgibbs]

HAPPY THANKGIVING to you,  @BethCrook ‌!!!!!!!

Here is the Thanksgiving graphic I put in my class announcements for this week: yay for long tables! and tables can be very long in virtual space! 🙂

A Longer Table.

When you have more than what you need,
build a longer table, not a higher fence.

[Renee_Carney]

Beth, you are appreciated more than you will ever know in this Community!  Thank you for being you!  Have a blessed Thanksgiving!