An Inspirational Story

This arrived in my inbox this morning and I was moved as I read it. So I thought I'd share it with you. I have no idea who wrote it, or if it's true, and if it is who the Rose character was in real life. But there is much truth to the message contained within and it's worth a read even if you'v heard it before. Enjoy!

"The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned round to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose.

I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went.

She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet.

I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.

If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.

The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose."

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be."

These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.

"REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL"

Let Go and Fly Free...

Just as the bird has to find the courage to let go of the branch in order to fly, so we also must let go of our branches if we are to know the exhilaration of soaring to the highest potential of our life.

Just watch those birds, by letting go of one branch they are able to spend the rest of their life alighting on a million other branches, and they enjoy the view from each.

Are you flying and soaring in your life, or are you stuck on one branch, cursing others as they fly past. Go on, try it ...let go!

More at www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk

Definition of Success

One of my clients just sent me this quote, so I thought I would share it with you. What is your definition of success?

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson (American Author)

Flying Solo

I was coaching one of my clients this morning and what we uncovered during the conversation was the impact that his close family are having on his life and his efforts to change it. And how, whilst having the best of intentions, they were part of what was holding him back. Now this is very common, and also a somewhat complex topic, which I'm not going to dive into right now. However one thing in particular that he said stood out to me. He revealed that his wife was of the opinion that he shouldn't need to hire a coach to help him create a more successful life, he should be able to do it "on his own".

Has anyone ever said something similar to you? Or perhaps you have said it to yourself - you know, during one of those conversations with yourself in your own head? When I talk to people about making changes in their life it is something they often say to me - it usually goes something like "but shouldn't I be able to do this on my own?" Hell, it's something I even used to say to myself!

I've learned, however, that it is the opposite that is true. The most successful people get as much help as they need to accomplish their goal. How many athletes do you know that have reached the top of their game without the help of a coach. How many top business people have gotten there without learning from others along the way? Take someone like Ellen MacArthur for example, the fastest female and youngest sailor to race around the world solo, non-stop. Whilst she sailed around the world on her own, do you think she did it without any help? Of course not, she would have had advisors, trainers, sponsors to name but a few. In fact if you look at the front page of her website: www.ellenmacarthur.com you'll find the following quote:

"It's always been about a team. Thanks for our partners, friends and supporters. Without them we would be nowhere." Ellen MacArthur

Many people believe something along the lines that "if you have help to achieve something then it diminshes that achievement in some way, or means that they are weak or 'less than' as a person". Not true! It is a common misconception however, and one that I would advise you to eliminate from your life. So next time you hear a phrase like "you should be able to do it on your own", either from someone else, or from one of the little voices in your own head, remind yourself immediately that it is not true and focus on seeking the help you need to get to where you want to go.

More Ocean Going Adventures

Well it would seem that the theme of feats of human endeavour and remarkable achievements of people working together is set to continue... I awoke this morning and whilst laying in bed decided to switch on the TV and was pleasantly surprised to find a documentary entitled "Ocean Rescue: The Race Against Time" had just started on Channel 4. It was about the remarkable true story of the British round the world sailor who rescued his adversary at sea in perilous conditions, captured by the two skippers' onboard cameras. The two boatsmen, Alex Thomson and Mike Golding, were among seven sailors taking part in the Velux 5 Oceans solo race in October 2006, when Thomson ran into trouble. His only chance of survival was his bitter rival Goulding, who turned back to sail nearly 100 miles to attempt an extraordinary rescue.

The documentary not only outlines the epic rescue and the challenges both sailors had to overcome, but the lifelong friendship that developed between these two adventurers who had previously been bitter rivals. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and have tried to find out if it is going to be repeated, but that doesn't appear to be the case, so I have included a vieo clip and some links below if you are interested in finding out more.



http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20061024115352ywnews.html

http://www.alexthomsonracing.com/index.asp

http://www.mikegolding.com/

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sirrobinknoxjohnston/nov06/rivals.htm

Who are your Champions?

For me, I think that part of the reason that I wanted to share Jan's story with you in my last post, was not only about highlighting her accomplishment, but about also highlighting part of what makes her and her son Dan somewhat extraordinary. It is their special relationship and the way that they champion, encourage and support each other to as they would put it 'Seize The Day'.

I know that for me, my mother is one of my biggest supporters and champions and I will be forever grateful for the way in which she has encouraged and supported me to follow my own path. It is a huge part of what has had me who I am today and given me the support and freedom to live my life my way and embark on some of my many adventures and find the courage and confidence to take some big risks. So thanks Mum!!! She is a remarkable woman in her own right and has walked her own challenging path for in life having been disabled from the age of 3 due to catching Polio as a child.

In my view, having champions and supporters in your life is an essential part of being successful and living a full, rich life. I am now much more conscious of who the important people are in my life and have been fortunate enough to gain many new supporters and champions in my life over recent years and the impact it has had on me has been richly rewarding. As I write I am also reminded that it is the challenges we face in life that make us who we are and make us stronger. Within each obstacle or challenge you face in life there will always be an opportunity or a gift if you are willing to look for it.

Take a little time to contemplate these questions: Who are your biggest supporters? What is it that they see in you and reflect back? How do they help you step up and step out? And who have you become as a result of the challenges you have faced in your life?

Within you is the capacity to do something amazing!

Anyone for a Spot of Rowing?

I am a huge fan of 'feats of human endeavour', no matter how big or small, and last Friday I had the pleasure of going to a talk with Jan Meek - who has most certainly accomplished one. The first thing I noted was that her name is most deceptive and I can assure you that she is most certainly not 'meek' in any way, shape or form. Quite the opposite in fact! Perhaps you've heard her story before, and perhaps you haven't, whichever the case it's most certainly one worth reading or reviewing.

Ten years ago she embarked on the adventure of a lifetime by entering the Atlantic Challenge race in 1997, and successfully rowed across the Atlantic Ocean with her son Dan in their boat Carpe Diem (Seize The Day). Read her story here: http://www.oceanrowing.com/Jan%20Meek/101.htm

As Jan told her story I was struck not only by her bravery and courage, but also by the amazing relationship she has with her son Dan. Whilst many of the experiences that she recounts are of the spectacular encounters with whales, dolphins and flying fish, of stunning vistas and moonlit nights, and also of the many challenges they faced and had to overcome during their 101 day voyage. What is also evident and equally inspiring is the way in which they have a deep respect and love for each other and how they supported each other during this superhuman feat. Their relationship is clearly a special one where they both champion and support each other to embrace who they are, so it is no surprise that her son Dan is quite the world adventurer having completed numerous expeditions on several continents (read more about Daniel Byles here).

So what do you do next once you've rowed across the Atlantic? Well for mother and son team Jan and Dan it would seem that you walk to the North Pole of course. I mean, what else would you do? They're in full swing of their training at the moment and leave for Canada in April to begin their challenge. More here: http://polarrace.com/2007/teams/

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet Jan and hearing about her experience first hand, and I'm hoping that she is going to write a post for my blog to share some more of her inspiring story with us and tell us a bit more about the upcoming polar race. So watch this space...