“But there are men for whom the unattainable has a special attraction. Usually they are not experts; their ambitions and fantasies are strong enough to brush aside the doubts which more cautious men might have.
Determination and faith are their strongest weapons. At best such men are regarded as eccentric; at worst, mad…”
These are words penned by the legendary mountaineer, Walt Unsworth, and they have had a profound effect on me since I read them a number of years ago.
At the time when he penned them he was making a broader comment on climbers heading to Mt Everest.
These words summed me up perfectly, I thought.
I’m sure many will be able to relate to them equally, regardless of what your pursuits are…
Over the years I have pursued a whole range of activities, some adventurous, others less so – but I have always been driven by a desire to simply embrace life…
And I have never considered myself an expert in any of them, but it has always been a fierce determination that has seen me through; a strong faith in my ability to grasp the key things, to put them into practice.
I’ve never considered anything I’ve done as a failure, but I’ve had plenty of learning experiences, set-backs that have helped me to learn, to grow, and to develop. I’m thankful for those set-backs, as they have made me stronger.
Eccentric; mad; yes, I’ve been referred in that way many times.
Today, I wear those comments proudly, like a badge.
Walt’s words have encouraged me to have the confidence to pursue my dream of climbing large mountains, to consider making an attempt on the summit of Mt Everest, in the least, to have the courage to admit that I want to climb it.
Acknowledging your dreams is probably the greatest step you can make towards them becoming a reality…
The power of thought should never be under estimated, both positive, and negative.
Every day on Wordspress, millions of words are written by ordinary people, stories about the challenges life has thrown at them, what they have done, and continue to do to overcome them.
About their dreams and aspirations, their highs and lows…
Ordinary people who want to improve their fitness, to lose weight, to cycle across a city, or across the world.
Many have their sights set on a fun run, and others having completed one, setting their sights towards running a marathon.
For others, it is their challenge to become stronger, to be able to lift more, or about capturing that once in a life-time photograph, perhaps testing a new recipe to share with friends, or with people they have never met.
Others talk about health and lifestyle challenges they struggle with, that they have overcome.
I read as many of them as I can, they motivate me, and they provide me with much needed inspiration…
Seemingly, there is always someone in this cyberspace community ready to reach out, to congratulate, to console…
These people aren’t super-elite athletes, or neither five-star chefs, nor are they fitness gurus.
They have a much greater status than that, for they are simply ordinary people, the same people that Walt Unsworth wrote about when he penned those words…
To those who aspire to do their best, to challenge themselves, I say never give in, you’re not alone out there, dream big, and pursue your dreams…
But on ordinary people, yes I’ve referred to people as ordinary, but in reality, there is no such thing as ordinary people, we are all unique, we all contribute to the mosaic that makes up the world we live in…
It would be a boring place if we were all the same…
We’d never learn, grow, or develop as people.
Take the time to read over Walt’s musings a couple of times, because he was speaking about you…
Draw on the strength of his writing, it is powerful…
Xplore 
“To have the courage to admit that I want to climb it.” This is so true. Admitting what might seem to others our ‘too big’ dreams is almost as scary as the actual process of achieving! This is a very inspiring post – and full respect to you for who you are and what you are about 🙂
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You know, I’ve intended for a long time, just didn’t want to admit it to anyone (silly isn’t it)! But calling it out makes me all the more comfortable with it…funny bunch we are!
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Great post. I too find inspiration in reading the blogs of other ordinary people. I find it much more inspiring than reading about the exploits of professional adventurers and athletes. Not because I don’t respect the achievements of the professionals, but because they do it as their jobs and the rest of us have to fit it in between their jobs.
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Yes, that is so true….!
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Great pictures I like the skydiving one and the one of you in the lake. Great quote!
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Thankyou…The running picture was taken in the Coast to Coast Adventure race across New Zealand…
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Great post!!
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Great post!! I love the line where you mention how acknowledging your dreams is the first step toward making them a reality. Great stuff! I love reading about your adventures and I always feel inspired. Thank you, Landy!
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Well, you know the mind is a funny thing, tell it that it is doing something and it will believe it.
And I’m inspired everyday by what I read in this cyberspace community…great, isn’t it!
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I love your mantra!! I’m going to steal it… No ordinary moments, no ordinary people, no ordinary lives. Shhh no one will know, you’re like a couple of continents away. 😉 But honestly, you, my friend, are no ordinary anything. 🙂
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Strewth, I wouldn’t be that original myself. Dan Millman, in is his book “The Peaceful Warrior” speaks of no ordinary moments… A great read!
But we’re all special, that’s for sure!
Please use it …
And crikey, at the risk of sounding weird, I truly believe it!
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You are an extraordinary man, Baz. I love your generous view on the many ways we can inspire each other through our writing. Thanks for inspiring me by living your life out loud every day.
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Thank you,
You know, it isn’t what you are doing that matters, but it is how you are doing it that counts. And above all else, finding happiness in what you do, that is the key… well, that and dreaming big, and living out your dreams!
And the big no-no for me is to never regret anything, treat it all as a learning experience; it helps us grow as individuals…
Crikey, now I think about it, I’ve had plenty of learning experiences ! …Baz
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“to have the courage to admit that I want to climb it” – YES, I hear you, well done Baz.
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Just need to put that into action now! It is slowly unfolding, but a long way from there right now…
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It appears that you have enough determination for all of your readers! 🙂 I know what you are talking about…I completed a marathon and while running I thought I was going to DIE after mile 22. But my power of thought kept my little throbbing feet running (well, really slowly jogging) – enough to enjoy the Dixie cup of beer each runner received at mile 24!
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I like that idea, a beer as you go…!
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once again thanks for posting…i really enjoy reading your posts and be a part of your adventure :}
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Thanks BG…you are a source of great inspiration for me!
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