I remember an earlier time when I was ‘winded’ after doing a set of bench press. I remember a time when smoking a pack of cigarettes seemed pretty normal to me. I remember a time when I would drink five nights a week. I remember a time when it seemed the law was never on my side.
I remember a time when I didn’t realize what I was capable of.
I also remember a later time I swam the English Channel, qualified for the Boston Marathon, and cycled a seemingly impossible race. I remember a time when I pushed through the pain after my body told me to stop – over and over. I remember meeting some of the greatest people from around the world who are now friends which will last a lifetime. I remember having the opportunity to speak my life mission to thousands of people.
I remember finding out what I was capable of.
Most importantly, I remember a time I helped give the opportunity for dozens of families to focus on loving and caring for their ailing child, not their limited financials. I remember what it was like when their stories of success, and heartache were shared with me. I remember the look in their eyes of gratitude that still gives me tears of joy to this day.
Yes, I remember a time when I wasn’t living up to the full potential the Lord gave me.
I don’t ever want to live that life again.
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I traveled across the Atlantic to Northern Ireland by myself, and for the past few days, I have been privy to taking in a lot of time for me. Those who know me best know I am quite the thinker, and ponder over my life quite a bit. Being alone sometimes is a very beautiful place, and although my crew will not join me for another week, I am vastly enjoying the time to myself. Our lives become so tangled with gossip, labor and complacency that it is difficult to truly take time to ourselves away from it all.
On this windy, partly sunny day in Bangor, overlooking the North Channel, I am at peace with the notion of the challenge ahead. Only the heartiest of swimmers will attempt such a crossing, as the North Channel is much tougher than the likes of the English Channel, Cook Strait or mighty Molokai.
If I could pick the minds of past explorers, I would imagine they would all have one thing in common – the desire to achieve the impossible, conquer their fears and never, ever stop believing in their dreams. I am sure their families told them to quit out of fear for their safety. I am sure they had many sleepless nights, not knowing what lie ahead in the coming day. But I am quite sure they lived for the excitement of venturing into the unknown; into a world where a minute amount of people would ever consider.
We do not know what will come up tomorrow, but we do know where we have been. I always challenge those who support my life mission, to find their own path. It is a great, big beautiful world where anything is possible. I had another one of those ‘how did I get here?’ moments while training in the cold last evening. For the first time I can honestly give that answer. Hard work, dedication and sacrifice have brought me to the edge of accomplishing something never done before. God willing, I will embark for Scotland under bright skies, clear water and free of natural dangers. Or, I might be embarking into a rough, cold, storming sea full of turmoil. Either way, I am not afraid of the challenge ahead, and through His blessing I will arrive on Scottish soil to complete this journey I began just over three years ago.
If you chose to not break out of your mold, you will never truly find yourself in life – plain and simple. One does not have to push themselves across oceans – that is my calling. What is yours? What do you want in your life you are not fulfilling? It is not up to anyone but you to get out there and live the best way possible. Quit making excuses and take action – you will thank yourself. I promise.
I don’t know where my life will take me, and no one ever will know with theirs. But know this. Through challenge we become confident, through sacrifice we become stronger and through adversity we learn what we are truly made of before we die. You have one life to live, and a limited amount of days ahead of you. What will you do tomorrow to ensure you are making a difference before your time is up?
You would be amazed at what you could accomplish.