Doing Hard Things
Alex, Me, Brett, Aly and Abby at the Do Hard Things Conference
Great day today with Alex and Brett Harris and family at the Do Hard Things conference. A lot of young people were fired up not to be limited by other peoples' low expectations. Check out their web site at http://www.therebelution.com/
Thanks for all of the great ideas for my next adventure. I have a lot to do before a venture out again so don't worry about me jumping into something too quickly.
One thing that I am happy to be a part of is an auction to raise money for the Surfrider Foundation. They are an organization that is dedicated to preserving the oceans of the world. The following link will take you to the Ebay auction. Basically, we are auctioning off a 1 on 1 conversation with yours truly and all of the funds go directly to the Surfrider Foundation.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=270427845421#ht_2276wt_1060
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is included in the auction?
A: The high bidder will enjoy a 1-on-1 video conference conversation with Zac Sunderland, the date and time of which to be determined after the auction closes.
Q: Who can bid on this auction?
A: This auction is open to anyone 18 or over. Do NOT bid if you are not over 18 years of age and able to enter into a legal contract.
Q: Where does the money go?
A: All of the proceeds goes directly to the Surfrider Foundation, a 501(c)3 charity.
Q: Is my winning bid tax deductible?
A: We are not able to provide tax advice, so you should contact a professional tax advisor about this.
Q: Do I need to travel to the session?
A: No, the conversation is conducted over the Internet, so you can participate from your home, office, or anywhere that has a broadband Internet connection.
Q: How long will this conversation last?
A: Approximately 30 minutes.
Q: What do I need to participate in this live conversation?
A: You'll need either a Mac or PC, a broadband Internet connection, a web cam, speakers and a microphone. If you don't have all of these, Humanety can suggest some products that are readily available over the Internet or in local computer stores. A Humanety representative will contact you to test the connection in advance of the conversation.
Q: Can I get a recording of the conversation?
A: The entire conversation will be recorded and available for a limited time via the Humanety web site. The winning bidder must agree to allow Humanety to use their name, voice and likeness in the replay of this recording without compensation. Also, the winning bidder agrees to not make their own recording of the conversation and will not attempt to rebroadcast or syndicate the session in any way.
Q: How many people can participate in the conversation?
A: Due to the limited range of most web cams, it is best to limit the in-room audience to 1 or 2 people. However, your friends and relatives are encouraged to watch the replay of the conversation on the Humanety web site.
Q: Can I ask Zac questions?
A: Absolutely! We want this experience to be just like you were meeting Zac in person. As such, we expect the winner to conduct themselves in a polite and friendly manner and we reserve the right to terminate the conversation without notice if the auction winner is rude or abusive.
Q: Can I suggest ideas to Zac?
A: Again, this experience should be just like you were talking with Zac in person, perhaps at a party or some other public, social occasion. Please be aware that just like saying something in public, your words are not private at all. Also, Zac is not under any obligation to use, or not use, any idea or concept you present, and you completely forfeit any rights you may have to any intellectual property you choose to share as part of the conversation. So, do not mention any thoughts or ideas unless you want to completely and forever give them away.
Q: Will I need to sign anything?
A: The winning bidder must sign a release that, among other things, allows Humanety to share the recording of them on the Internet.
Q: How do I pay for the auction?
A: We accept Cashier's Checks or PayPal eChecks. MissionFish guarantees the payment of the winning bid to the charity. Please visit www.missionfish.org for more details.
My spot on Geraldo at Large was postponed until Sunday evening at 10pm. I'm hanging out with Will tonight and racing at the Westlake Yacht Club tomorrow afternoon. Enjoying what is left of the summer for sure!
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
6:52 PM
26 Comments:
While I will not be a bidder, I am sure this auction will be successful, fun and informative.
I'll settle for hoping that, one day, I may meet up with Zac, Mom and Dad. The nano-moment that Zac and I shook hands at MDR on the 16th was not all that satisfying as it followed my foot being stomped by a photographer. Too, shared only about 2-1/2 seconds greeting Mom and, unfortunately, did not have a moment with Dad.
So - I'm patient. Again, my best as you rev up for the Surfrider Foundation fund raiser. God Bless.
Zac,
What watch did you wear on your journey and why did you chose that one?I noticed most people don't own a watch now that cell phones have the time on them,Brand?movement?...did it serve you well?
Mike
Hi Zac,
Glad to hear that you are enjoying your time home.
I've weighed my decision to voice my opinion about you considering doing something with MTV. Granted I am to turn 50 this year, and sometimes just don't "get" some of the programs I see on television BUT...I've seen the TRASH that MTV has to offer our young people. I do not care that it is 2009, loose morals will never be "in style" and it's not OK to cus and swear and dress like street walkers all for the sake of fame. I say again, MTV programs are trash. Please Zac, don't lower your standards, and be associated with them. Finish your book, go to college, it will be your next great adventure. After doing what you just did, it's going to be hard to find something as exciting....I've written to you many times: be still and listen; you know exactly what I mean by that. Sometimes we are moved to do the things we don't want to do and that's when we "Do hard things"
With love and admiration
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV "Wombat"
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anita hit the nail on the head!!!
Be very careful of the publicity stunts and shows you choose. You very well may turn off the audience that cares to hear your message.
Doesnt your publicist know you are a teenage christian??? Whats with the Jimmy Kimmel and Geraldo shows???
ESPN was a good choice but the others so far... blehhhh!
Also, why are you so quick to jump to the next adventure??? Why let other people push you to out do yourself? Enjoy time with the family and your friends.
@Anita... Thank you! Couldn't have said it better myself!
Zac, there really is no super hurry for you to dive into something new. You have just returned home from an amazing 13 month journey. Take time to reflect...
Blessings,
Marie
WA St.
Zac,
Très impressionnant, mais tout ce non-sens de publicité n'est pas bon pour vous il pue de l'avarice et n'honore pas le seigneur. Mais il est important que vous ne vous prenez pas le Christianisme dans la haine avec les cultes d'extrémistes suivants c'est incorrect très la haine n'est pas le message de Dieu.
The good thing is that I really Zac is interested in what we (ZacPac'ers) have to say. He's asked for input, suggestions etc. as I also believe he's extremely grateful for all of the input, suggestions, guidence, tips etc. he received from here throughout the trip.
I don't think he'll jump into any immediately, i.e. the first basket of cash that is dangled in his face :-)
There's an old interview with Mom, somewhere in the news archives, where she did mentioned early on, there are vultures out there who were trying to get her and Zac to sign his life away -- this early on or in the middle of the trip. So in this respect, its not new and I am sure they are just as cautious and wary about everything and everyone that they are surrounded by now.
Main thing is he wants and appreciates our input here as it is tried and tested and helped him immensely to get through the entire trip.
So y'all need not worry too much I don't think, just input your thoughts and ideas and I'm sure they'll get through.
Anita,
Your condescending remarks are completely out of line. After following Zac and his family during this entire year, you should have the confidence that his family will make the right decisions regarding his future. While I do wish Zac would consider college and his parents would promote that route, I think it is VERY unlikely they will allow him to be turned into the kind of trashy person you are referring to on MTV. I don't watch that channel anymore myself, but I do think they still have some shows about adventures and things other than partying, etc. A show about Zac's life and adventures could be a very positive addition to their line-up.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
It's about sailing.
Hey, sure take the biggest tub of cash. I'll bet 3/4 of it goes to charity.
Seems Zac was mightly affected by visting some dirt poor children, 13 in a hut or something, who were the happiest people he ever say and they didn't even have clothes on their backs. Interested to know if that was in South Africa or one of the islands before hand?
Doubt very much Zac's looking to retire on this. He's smart enough to realise there is or are opportunities that are now available as a result of what he has done, and if cultivated can be used for good.
You don't plot a course around the world and sail it, only to throw away all you have learnt once you get the scent of filthy lucre.
Just don't see that in Zac and his family at all.
Other's who haven't followed from the very begining and seen it all, how it developed form nothing, through the hardships, to the successful completion might.
Tough luck! :-)
Zac
Be carefull, you could be setting your self up for bitter dissapointment. The sport of sailing plays to a very limited audience. Aproximately 2% of the population is interested in sailing. One of the comments that I read in your blog was "You are now a product to be used and then discarded." At your age this can only result in bitter dissapointment. For a "new" adventure, I would like to see you finish out the summer, return to high school, rejoin the football team that you held so dear and then put all efforts toward paying back as much of the money to your parents as possible. Your dad is a Saint to do the things he did for you. It cost him money two fold. One was the money it cost him to fly out to meet you at all these different ports and two is the money he didn't make from his business while he was gone. Especially during his busy season. Try and remember something about adventurers. Most people, including myself can only name 2 people who climbed Mt Everest. They are Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. They did it first.
JACK
I think the simple fact that Zac's keeping us in the loop here, being transparent and open with his thoughts and ideas, potential plans etc. is sufficient confirmation his intentions are good. Very easy for him to have shut this blog down and disappeared with a bag of cash with a "thanks, see yah".
Let's give young Zac some time to think and sort through everything before we really critize him.
You go guy.
Kathy
Bend, OR
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Zac, I pray for you every day and I know that your life will go in the direction that the Lord leads. He leads us into hard things so we can show how glorious He is.
I love to pray and then watch what happens. Do keep us posted on your life in whatever type of media you choose, but do not choose hastily as Anita has mentioned. Life is a great adventure and your family plus us Zac Packers will always have your back with the best of intentions.
My venturing out with an opinion here is that true Zac Packers always sign their name.
Have a very special day today, Kathy Bend, OR
phew...seems some people expect zac to become a monk after this.
weird.
Or get some student loans and a job at McDonalds like the majority of his peers.
Thank you, Marianne, for re-enabling the moderation... Seems as though the comments today were headed in the wrong direction.
Zac --- You are a really smart and intelligent young man. Continue to follow your heart, as it will always guide you in the right direction. ...and listen to your Mom and Dad!!! :)
Blessings always!!!
Marie
WA St.
I will look forward to seeing you on gerlado!
Have a supppper Sunday Zac!
Woo hoo for blog moderation!!
Zac,
You know that those of us who have been here since day 1 totally trust that you and Team Sunderland will continue to make the right choices.
Im looking forward to Geraldo tonight..
Have a great week!
Laura BD
PS did you hear about Mike's bummer fender bender in the locks:/
Zac,
Have you considered auctioning a private sailing lesson(s) given by you on Intrepid? That's where the $$$ is. Keep focused on what you do best and you will be the best.
I understand the blog moderation for a boy of 17 (though you present him as a man). I don't understand how bashing another young boy's ambitions is OK and can be posted.
Zac,
Great to meet you at the DHT conference on Saturday. Your story has been an inspiration to my family (especially my teenage boys!).
Keep rebelling against low expectations and doing hard things!
God be glorified!
Have fun at the Do Hard Things conference. I'm sure everyone will be happy you are there.
Enjoy,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Hey, Zac
Tell Toby "congrats" for me. What is Ben getting for his B'day? Happy Day, little guy. So, how many 'in and out' cheeseburgers have you eaten since gettin' home? Their home made fries are aswum. Continue to chill.....you've earned it.
Kodiak Mike
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home