Before heading off to climb Kimilimanjaro the inspiration of my journey, Kelly Wren, came to wish me luck at Sydney Airport. Kelly, you are a wonderful lady!
Words just cannot express the sense of achievement of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro. It was a challenging journey and personally I just took it one step at a time. My experience was that I had some effects from the altitude very early on and after I worked though that mentally and physically I was on my way! So summit night was incredible for me, it was approximately 9 hours from Kibo Hutt to Uhuru, the first part being 6 hours 45 minutes to Gilmans Point this is a big climb and as we left at midnight it is dark and you are just focussing on each step also it is very steep! The whole way I was always concious of the person ahead and the one behind - whilst really concentrating on my own journey. Some of my mantras were: “peace in every step” and ” breath in to calm and out to a smile” and ”I am safe and with every step I get closer to the summit”. These thoughts helped me reach the summit.
The last 2 hours along the crater rim were amazing as the sun had risen and the view was spectacular. Every step took us closer to the top of aftrica.
There were many lessons along the way that I will share, however, for now lets say that if you create a deep sense of knowing that you can achieve something you can do it, and you can overcome the obstacles along the way.
I did it!!!! I will share many photos, however, here is one of my favorites one of our early visions of the enormity of what lay ahead !
Wow this trip is already amazing and we are not even there yet!
I have met nine of the team so far and they are all beautiful women in the deepest sense of the word. Each with a story of how they came to be here and all of us with a common goal of achieving the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.
I am currently awake on the last leg of the trip. I possibly should be sleeping, however, I am so inspired by the thought of taking time to slow down, look within myself and absorb the world around me and connect in a meaningful way.
I am currently reading a book called Peace in Every Step – The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hahn. Thank you to my dear friend Helga for introducing me to this book. I would like to share a quote with you all.
The shining red sun is in my heart
Each flower smiles with me
How green and fresh all that grows
How cool the wind blows
Peace in every step
It turns the endless path to joy
In a few hours we will be in Nairobi and on Thursday we will be meeting a Special Olympian who has climbed Kilimanjaro. What an inspiration for us that will be.
As my journey continues I intend to share the richness of it with you, for you to take what you choose from it.
I am now feeling really excited as my goal gets closer and I am so grateful to all those who have helped me on the way. There are so many people who have been a part of my journey so far and I just want to say a special thank you to a few…
My beautiful husband who has trained every step along side me, and my two daughters Angie and Sam who have supported and encouraged me.
My brilliant trainers Joe and Simon from Joe’s Garage Gym – check them out at http://joesgaragegym.com.au/ - they have been amazing!
Troy from Momentum Physiotherapy – www.momentumphysio.com/ who has made sure my body is in great condition. No pain no gain!!!
My team at Mondo Direct for taking some extra things on when I have been training and helped me every step of the way. Also, everyone at the Mondo Search Group who have supported me in my fundraising efforts.
The team at Inspired Adventures and Special Olympics for making this happen!
And also, Gill Stapleton for inviting me and encouraging me to take this challenge on!!
I am so blessed to have such an amazing group of friends, family, colleagues and supporters.
Here is an excerpt from the flyer I read 12 months ago that inspired me to do this…
Special Olympics Australia transforms the lives of children and adults with an intellectual disability by providing regular sports and social opportunities in a supportive environment. Through sport, meaningful competition and mutually-beneficial partnerships, people with an intellectual disability can develop the confidence to make choices, share their voices and become active and engaged members of the community. Our multi-sports program is delivered almost entirely by volunteers who welcome anyone with an intellectual disability, regardless of their skills. Our goal is to influence communities to allow all people with an intellectual disability to reach their full potential, on the sporting field and beyond. People like Mary.
Growing up on the sideline was hard for Mary. Cheering for her brothers and sisters who were able to compete in a variety of sports just didn’t seem fair. It left her aching for more. She spent her childhood hoping for an opportunity for people like her to compete on a level playing field. In 1990, when Mary was almost 30, the Special Olympics program was introduced in her local community. It was just what she had been waiting for. Mary signed up straight away and has since immersed herself in the program. At 49, Mary is a now an athlete, coach, volunteer and Special Olympics ambassador.
Her journey in Special Olympics began in the pool and it wasn’t long before she was recognised for her sporting abilities. In her first year with Special Olympics she trained hard and was selected to represent her state at the National Games in swimming. She walked away with two silver medals, one bronze medal, and the experience of a lifetime!
‘I felt so honoured to represent my state and I won. It was the very first time I had won anything,’ she said. But for Mary it wasn’t just about the medals. ‘It wouldn’t bother me if I won a medal or not. Medals aren’t everything. I was just proud to wear the uniform with the Special Olympics logo on it.’
Just remember - all you have to do is really decide that you want to achieve something, and want to do it with your whole heart, and you will find the determination deep, down inside to do what it takes ti succeed. Remain focussed and keep your mind on your goal, and you will make it happen. The planning and execution will all fall into place, as long as you decide first what you really want and why.
I am going to get to the top of that mountain, to help and inspire Special Olympians to achieve their goals. We all need to learn from each and everyone of them – they are all so amazing in so many ways!
I also want to inspire others to step out and be brave and do what it takes to achieve their own dreams. You don’t need to settle for mediocrity or second best, you can have the things you want in life. You just need to take that HUGE step and decide what you want, truly believe you can have it and then follow the path and do what it takes.
Build a better you and start today, paint a picture of what you want and start to live your dream!
So, final preparations in place, bags packed and now for some quality time with my family before I depart on this amazing adventure on Tuesday. We summit on 7th March, so follow my progress on the Satellite tracker TrekTrakka and watch this space for amazing photographs and stories upon my return!
Well only two and half weeks till we leave and about four weeks until we reach the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. The adventure is getting closer.
Staying focussed and keeping the momentum going is essential. Like any goal it is important to continue working on the strategy right though until the goal is achieved and to make sure to remain focussed all the time. I have a very clear picture in my mind of me at that summit and the overwhelming feeling of achievement and pride and a deep sense of knowing that I will have made a difference to so many.
Why do I feel that? Because I know as you read this you will decide to achieve something, to set a goal and make it happen! As soon as you decide you really, really want to achieve a goal everything will start to fall into place and you will attract the people and things you need to achieve it!
Try it out. It doesn’t matter how big or how small your goal is, it is about doing something and choosing to take responsibility for your own happiness.
“Happiness leaps into action from a positive attitude to life!” – Stephanie Dowrick
As you are working towards your goals, be present and in the moment and take time to focus and look deep inside for the ideas and answers that will help you achieve your goal.
Check out a book called Choosing Happiness by Stephanie Dowrick, she is my inspiration. Here is a link to her web page: http://www.stephaniedowrick.com/
I was going to call this article, ‘Feeling the Fear’, because over these last few weeks I have had all the following questions buzzing through my mind; Am I fit enough? Why am I doing this without my husband, my rock? How will my body hold up? Along with many more negative questions and thoughts. However, the loudest voice tells me: ”I can do this!”
Coming back to ‘feeling the fear’, when I read the definition of Fear from Wikipedia I decided that it is not really fear that I am feeling but actually nervousness, excitement and anticipation. The biggest thing is that we all know of so many people who have achieved the goal of summiting Mt Kilimanjaro and the bottom line is if they can do it we can too!! We will be supported by a team of guides and porters who have collectively summited hundreds of times. So why have any doubt?
This brings me to my thought that it is really about MINDSET. I am just remaining focused on the picture I have of myself at the summit, and the feeling that we are doing this for those children and young adults who have an intellectual disability. By climbing Mt Kilimanjaro we are succeeding which I believe will help the Special Olympians feel a similar feeling by achieving their goals.
The more I think about the reason why I am doing this, the more I know I will achieve it! Then I will come home and help others achieve their goals in their personal life and their business life.
We are being given everything we need to make this happen so it is just a matter of preparing, remaining focussed and making it happen!
What an incredible opportunity!
So while reading, this have a think of what you are going to achieve in 2013? Maybe something you have never done before. If you think you can’t because of any sort of fear then read this definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear and ask yourself is it really something to be fearful of!!! If not, then plan to do it!
Can you have more than one goal and succeed, or is focus about being focussed on one thing at one time?
This year I have had three big goals. One has been to get fit and strong enough to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in February. The second was to continue to build the business. The third was to have an amazing and perfect wedding for my youngest daughter and her fiancé.
Now all my goals are either complete or well under way. The company is growing and we have secured business with a number of key clients. We had the most amazing wedding for my Samantha and Jake. I am also well on the way to climbing the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro!
So what is the key? Here are a few thoughts.
The clearer you are about your goal and the more you imagine it is true the better and the more likely you are to achieve your goals.
Family, health and fitness are all linked. So by having an inspiring fitness goal, confidence builds in other areas of your life. I recommend you start with fitness and all else will follow! I felt great at my daughters wedding because a bi -product of training was a healthy body shape and glowing skin!
Allocate some time each day or week for the actions that will ensure your goals can be achieved and be disciplined and dedicated to your goal in every way.
In Robyn Moore’s words: http://www.thepoweroftheword.com.au/ watch out for a C.R.A.P. attack.
Cynicism, Resignation, Anger and Procrastination can steel your dreams so be aware of any hint of these 4 things in your thought patterns and STOP and change your thoughts.
I truly believe if you are focussed and create the future you want in your mind you are so much more likely to enjoy it in reality. So start 2013 with a clear picture of what you want to achieve, break it down into bite size steps and immediately set yourself some actions that will get you close to each step and to achieving your goal.
Lets see 2013 being the year we all achieve so much more than ever before and most importantly ENJOY and BE HAPPY!
So the answer to the question is YES! Set a few goals and it is particularly useful if they interconnect and are congruent with each other.
