On Ego and Humility

Walking Home is not just about walking 2,000 miles. It is about asking people to walk with me and share a story, it is about asking someone to invite me into their home each night, and about asking you all to pay for it.

Walking Home is about asking for help.

I hate asking for help. It is at once humbling and egotistical. Humbling, because I was raised to believe that I have to be independent and self-reliant. Egotistical, because I feel that what I am doing is extremely important and that people will want to help me. The prospect of asking so many people, across the country, everyday, for months, to help me… is daunting.

So if asking for help makes me so uncomfortable, why do it?

Because asking for and receiving help is beautiful. It creates a bond between people that is special. When you ask someone for help, you are inviting them into your life and making them a part of it in a different way than just hanging out, enjoying each other’s company and then going your separate ways. You can achieve so much more together than by yourself. Because it says, “you are valuable and have something important to offer the world.” Because it says, “I am valuable and worthy of receiving what you have to offer.” It is the very exchange that creates true friendship and community.

Walking Home is about friendship and community. It is not an epic, solo journey. It is a study in trust, community and the connections that draw us together. I am not crossing the country alone. I am crossing the country with all of you.

Thanks for your help. Know anyone in Topeka?

Greetings from my home to yours,

-Laura