 The Sign That Started It All Sometimes the biggest decisions come from the smallest moments. I was waiting for my younger son to arrive by train at the Schaumburg Metra train station back in early Spring. Nothing special. Then a sign caught my eye: The Overnight Walk Chicago, June 2016. Underneath it read: "One night, one goal: Stop suicide." Mental health and mindfulness are at the heart of everything I do. I teach meditation. I walk with friends through their hardest times. That sign did not just catch my eye. It spoke to me directly. I did not think twice. I signed up right away. I set a personal goal to raise $1,000. By the time that event was over, the generosity of so many of you had brought that number to $7,700. I am still humbled by that. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Every single one of you who donated made a real difference. The Gathering: Navy Pier Our journey started at the iconic Navy Pier. This landmark once served as a naval base during World War II. Today it is one of the most visited spots in Chicago. Thousands of us filled the grand ballroom for safety briefings and final prep. Looking out at the water, the Chicago skyline stretched across the evening sky. It was warm. The energy in the air was something special. Walkers were taking photos, meeting strangers, and getting ready to move. My amazing friends Heather, Dawn Ayla, and Maria, were right there with me. They captured photos and maps of the whole journey. And a special thank you to my wife, who took that first photo of me boarding the train downtown and supports me in all my crazy ventures. I will keep that one forever. The Unsung Heroes Among Us As we headed out into the city, I met some truly inspiring people. One stands out above everyone else. A firefighter walking under the hashtag #CancerFighter. He was doing the full 16 miles in his real, heavy turnout gear. As we walked side by side, he told me something I will never forget: cancer and suicide are the number one and two killers of firefighters in America. Every step he took in that heavy gear said more than words ever could. The Invisible Crisis: Let's Talk About It By midnight, the city was buzzing. Streets were packed with people out for the night. And while I walked through those crowds, my mind was on a quieter crisis. One that rarely gets talked about. I was walking for everyone. And I was also carrying something specific for the South Asian and broader Asian American community.
We need to change this. We need to make it okay to ask for help. The Midnight Storm: Wrigley Field The farthest north point of our route brought us to Wrigley Field, right at Addison and Clark. And right on cue, the sky opened up. Between miles 4 and 7, the rain did not let up for a second. Several walkers stopped and took shelter. Soaked. Exhausted. Done. And I get it. Standing there knowing you are not even halfway through 16 miles in the middle of the night is a tough moment. Many of the walkers and I had trained in all kinds of weather. We made a simple choice. We donned our rain gear, put plastic bags to keep our socks dry and we kept walking. A Loop Through the City Here is how our route looked, a big figure eight through the heart of Chicago: We pushed north to Wrigley Field. Then south through the city center. Then down into the financial district. By 1:30 AM, the crowds were gone. The streets were still. We walked right past Willis Tower glowing against the dark sky. Even having run the Chicago Marathon, I had never seen the city quite like this. Quiet. Beautiful. Full of meaning. The Final Push: Community at 2 AM Even deep into the night, people kept us going. We ran into the legendary "Go Guy," a local volunteer who shows up at these events just to cheer people on. He was out there at 2:00 AM. He offered kind words and a big warm hug that gave us exactly the push we needed. I had planned to finish around 2:00 AM. With the storm delays and tough conditions, we crossed the finish line closer to 4:00 AM. Tired. Wet. Grateful and not exhausted. I silently thanked my yoga teacher Ms. Joy – I was tired, my osteoarthritic knee did not complain! All the stretches and strengthening exercises and long training sessions had paid off Sunrise Over Lake Michigan By 5:00 AM, the sun began to rise over Lake Michigan. After a night of rain, hard miles, and a lot of personal reflection, watching that light come up over the city was something I will never forget. It felt like the whole night had led to that one quiet moment. Final Thoughts Those 16 miles were one of the most meaningful things I have ever done. It was a physical challenge, yes. But it was so much more than that. I went in hoping to raise $1,000. You all gave $7,700. That kind of support says everything. It tells me that people care. That this issue matters. That we are not alone in this fight. Will I do it again next year? My feet are still deciding! And every single step was worth it. To everyone who walked with me, cheered me on, or gave even one dollar: you made this real. If we met that night, please reach out and connect. These are the moments that remind us why people matter so much. And to anyone who is struggling right now, in any community, in any culture: asking for help is not weak. It is brave. It might be the most important step you ever take. We walked through the night to bring this into the light. Now it is your turn to take your next step. Buen Camino. And Buena Vida. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988* (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). Help is always available. "Not all those who wander are lost. And those who walk with purpose always find their way." 
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