The Rich Pearl Challenge:

Rich Pearl was my first friend and one of the most giving, thoughtful, caring, and inspirational people I have ever known.   On July 25th, 2024 my best friend died.  In looking back at his life and the times I had to bear witness to his greatness, I realized Rich was and will always be one of my heroes.

 

Since his death, not a day has gone by that I have not been stopped in my tracks thinking about how he got through the last four or so years with such grace and beauty.   Rich was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and unfortunately, after having it treated, the cancer came back.   The cancer eventually spread throughout his body and was the eventual cause of his death.

 

Throughout the countless rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries, procedures…RICH NEVER COMPLAINED.  Somehow he ALWAYS kept believing, fighting, smiling, and bringing joy and happiness to all of those around him.  It was one of his many gifts.

 

I wanted to honor Rich and decided to do it in this simple way.   THE RICH PEARL CHALLENGE.   Rich’s strength was to see the good, to believe in people, to use pain as an opportunity to appreciate peace…HE NEVER COMPLAINED and has inspired me to try and live up to his standard.   Here are the details of The Challenge:

1. Sign up for The Challenge through the website…
2. Order a bag of pearls and a glass container via….
3. Catch yourself when you want to complain.  Think about Rich and think about the challenges he went through.   Focus your negative energy (complaining) and turn it into positive energy by thinking about the love Rich had for all people AND give that love to the person you are getting ready to complain about.   Trust me, you will feel so much better, lighter, happier, healthier… and it gives you a chance to reconnect with Rich.
4. When you get home, take one of the pearls out the bag and place it in the glass container.   Give yourself a high five and share how you feel with ….website.
5. When you have put 23 (Rich’s favorite number) pearls into the jar… Rich would want you to celebrate.   Your choices are unlimited: make a donation to your favorite charity in Rich’s name, take your family/friends out to Rich’s legendary Friday Night Pizza Night, be extra generous and leave a big tip…
6. Share what you did to celebrate and how you feel with everyone who is participating in The Challenge.
7. Keep PLAYING and keep participating in The Challenge.  Invite friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, colleagues, the mailman…Rich would have reached out to anyone and everyone…Rich wanted all people to find happiness, to experience joy, love, family, togetherness….

 

Rich and I had many great talks towards the end of his life and one was when I asked him what he wanted people to remember about him?   Without hesitation, he said that he loved people and he wanted people to love each other.  Simple words but difficult words to live by.  Rich did it for 55 years.  Think of our world and how full of love it would be if millions of people didn’t complain and instead made the choice to LOVE.

 

Thanks.  Rich is watching us…let’s show him we can carry on his legacy and make this world a place we are all proud to call home.