“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.
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.
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 their 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…
Usually 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…
Above all else remember,
Xplore 
TomO is the best – and I know you think so too!
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And isn’t that the truth! 🙂
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Thanks for sharing! Great quote and it is so neat to see all that the “ordinary” people in this community are accomplishing. I am constantly inspired and amazed! What a great note from your son as well1
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Yes, similar I enjoy reading and being inspired by others, and that is how we help each other…
And TomO, he’s a great son to us, actually he’s on a school camp, back today – up in the mountains, oddly enough…
Take care, Baz
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Thanks for sharing your words with an ordinary recreational athlete on the other side of the world. I’ll never climb mountains but I love living the adventures of people who do, through words and pictures.
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And I take comfort and enjoy reading what others are doing. It’s all about being Out and About having fun!
cheers, Baz
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Great post! We are all special! Have a wonderful evening. I was going to say day and realized it’s already evening for you. I’m reading Bill Bryson’s book about Australia right now.
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Well back to the morning, an early start rowing at 4am, Bill Bryson has some great books, you’d’ love it here and plenty of photographic opportunities!
Cheers, Baz
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🙂
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Spot on Baz … I often feel intimidated by other peoples bigger challenges whilst I’m talking endlessly about losing a couple of lbs or having a great Circuit Training session. Then I read your words and it reminds me I’m pushing through in my own way, in my own little corner of the world. Rights words, right time … Thanks.
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Hi Janice, we all have our challenges, whatever they might be, and that is what makes us all the same!
Cheers, Baz
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very well said by all of of you :}
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Dude. This is an amazing note and as a dad I bet it rocked your world. A definite save, keep it safe so you can look at it always. What a sweet kid.
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A lovely boy!
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You are a blessed man to have a son like that.
Me, too.
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He’s precious…
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I love TomO’s note!! It’s wonderful. He’s got a mountain of a man to look up to. And he knows and appreciates it. It’s a beautiful thing.
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Well he got Janet’s good looks, and brains, and temperament, I had to get a look in there somehow! 😉
Cheers, Baz
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Damn straight buddy! Doesn’t matter what the goal is, people need the encouragement to make it happen!
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Strewth, I do that’s for sure…
Cheers, Baz
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Fantastic post, Baz. 🙂 And a fantastic son too.
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He’s a wonderful son to us… 🙂
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Very nice. Good to be reminded, because it seems easy to forget.
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Thanks Dan…
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Baz- it is wonderful to see this written! Many, many moons ago, when I ran Track and Field, I tried qualifying for Nationals at Madison Square Garden in the 3000 meter run. I missed by 0.1 second the first time, if I remember correctly. After my near miss, a relative asked me why did I bother trying if I couldn’t win all the time? I didn’t really know how to answer. I was still in High School, and completely flummoxed by the whole concept of someone expecting me to win all the time. I finally did qualify, and ran. Ran my worst time and finished next to last, but I did make it.
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Lavinia, in my mind winning can never been judged just as “first past the post”. And sometimes a better word than winning, is achievement, and good for you.
Strewth, but now I have to go and look up what flummoxed means 😉
Oh, flummoxed, I get it…
Cheers, Baz
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No ordinary lives…agreed 🙂
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Brilliant! Perfect words for me to read today. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post with us. p.s. Thomas is a gem!
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One in a trillion! 🙂
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