7:25PM – 18 March 2013 – Wellington, New Zealand
We are awaiting a window of opportunity to swim the Cook Strait, and are sitting around patiently for Philip’s phone call (red or green light) as each day comes and goes. I have found that it takes an incredible amount of mental dedication to remain focused on the task at hand when stress and anxiety are high surrounding this incredible life journey. I have been blessed to always have had decent weather to make the journey when planned – this is something new to me as a marathon swimmer.
We are doing great, and very excited to get the adventure underway! Thoughts and prayers are much appreciated for our safety, and to keep our loved ones from worrying too often back home.
Much love and respect.
***** ***** *****
I was asked today via a text message from a dear friend if I have always had a positive outlook on life. The truth is, there was a time I took life for granted. I lived carelessly and recklessly at times, and I often say there is no way another person could go through what I have and come out alive – two people could not be so lucky. There is a reason the Lord has given me the strength and courage to continue down that narrow road in life – I pray for the strength to continue TRYING to never take life for granted.
We all go through something which changes us at some point in our lives. In order to HONESTLY take each day as a gift, we have to be inspired and motivated to WANT to live each day as a gift. Anyone can easily read this blog and simply pass it over as just ‘another blog’ about someone with something to say. These people are who I am directly speaking. I challenge you, at some point today, to write down three to five people who have motivated you in life – alive or deceased. These were people who had an excellent outlook, and saw the positive in life; not the negative. Take that paper, and place it somewhere you are going to see it next time you are complaining about life being hard. When you are pouting, imagine those three to five people in front of you. What would they say about your actions? How would they respond to your negativity?
October 21, 2003 – I lost a friend who was at a college outside of Pittsburgh. A few months earlier, we were walking the beach together, joking and laughing about life and how we were excited to get back to college and enjoy ourselves with friends. I remember walking in front of the HUB at Penn State when I got the call from a friend that they found our friend in his dorm room unresponsive. How did it go from such a positive, carefree vacation to something like this?
December 28, 2006 – I lost a friend who was murdered by her boyfriend. She was beautiful, smart, outgoing and had the world at her fingertips. Can you imagine the fear she had during the final moments? Her life ended in the blink of an eye, and caused an incredible amount of heartache and pain for those who loved her. I always keep a picture of us, at work and at home, with my personal motto: ‘Every Breath A Gift, Never Take It For Granted’ inside the picture frame.
Did either friend know the night before, or the day of, it would be their last? No. I’m sure there were a million other things they could have been thinking of other than not waking up tomorrow. If they were with us today, I’m sure they would be doing everything they could to enjoy every moment.
What if today was your last? Are you enjoying every moment?
When my day is rough, and I get down, I often picture my friends who are no longer with me. I imagine what they would say. I can tell you one thing, I would be letting them down, and that is something I refuse to ever let happen. I cannot question why they are not with me today. I can only control how I respond to have been given the gift of life and health through each day.
Visualize your group of family and friends who gave you incredible strength in life.
What would they say if you came to them complaining about life being hard?
Do what I do – shut your mouth and keep moving forward. Honestly, it is nothing you cannot handle.