The Stop Planning Begins

By Equality Rider Ibrahim Vicks

When I returned back to my daily routine after a week of training with 16 strangers, I knew that my life had been changed.  Everyone back home greeted me with hellos and requests for a play by play of my “trip.”  But, amidst these encouraging conversations, there was one question that kept coming back to the forefront of my mind, one thing that consumed my thoughts – “How am I going to coordinate a city stop on the ride?”

This goal – the goal that I was charged with upon my leaving Miami – was imprinted in my bones.  It was pushing me to work harder every day.  I knew when I was offered a position on the 2012 Equality Ride that I was signing up for something much bigger than myself.  What I wasn’t prepared for was that my entire life would become oriented toward the success of this year’s ride.

Since our first training, every day that I haven’t done something productive has been a day wasted and lost.  I have never been so organized at any other time in my life, never so order-oriented.  I admit that, at first, I was afraid of becoming overwhelmed by all of the work that needed to be done.  But that was all for naught, because within hours of my return, I got a phone call.  I got an email.  I got a text message from one of my fellow riders checking up on me to make sure I got home safely, offering any assistance and guidance they had at their disposal, even taking the initiative to get me connected to those who could better help me.

I no longer felt as if I was alone.  Instead, I felt that there were people who had my back – no matter what.  That feeling is now empowering me to go above and beyond, to set goals for myself as a 2012 Equality Rider and as a person.  The Ride has shifted my life toward the service of others, and I wouldn’t have it any other way; the rewards are far greater than the sacrifice.  Not only do I get to see the country (for free), but I also get to impact the lives of people that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise.  We haven’t even left yet, and I already feel my newfound sense of purpose changing both my life the lives of those around me.

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