It is time for us to reflect on our training to date and the many reasons we have chosen to walk this distance for a more humane and conscious world. Team Energy Galore has now completed reconnaissance over the 8 checkpoints for Oxfam Sydney – so we are familiar with territory, the challenges of night walking and are on track to shift gears during this last 6 weeks of training and reach our goal of 100km in 24 hours!
We thank with sincerity our generous sponsors to date.
As we reflect on the political circus we have all just witnessed, both here and abroad it becomes more vividly omnipotent every day, the need for more conscious and collaborative energetic and integrity based leaders who are congruent in both action and word.
There are many people in history on whom we can reflect who have walked the distance, and stood up to be counted and therefore chose the road less traveled.
In doing so they have not only demonstrated consistency with belief, but also the bold and massive action needed to create new ways of thinking.
The first that comes to mind is a woman called Rosa Parks who was the main protagonist in the non-fiction film and novel “ The Long Walk Home”.
Rosa Parks (a negro) wh0 after refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man,subsequently chose instead to walk many miles to work and home each day,until being joined by her employer, impressed with such perseverance. Both joined the protests that were to follow.
This was not only a courageous action during 1955, Montgomery, Alabama but also a precedent in the great Bus Boycott, organized by Dr. Martin Luther King in order to desegregate the Birmingham transportation system
The second is a novel called, “ Hospital by the River”.
It is awe – inspiring story of the life and mission of Dr Catherine Hamblin who, with her husband Reg, established what has been heralded as one of the most incredible medical programs in the modern world. The Hamlin’s, both Christians, dedicated their lives to women suffering the catastrophic effects of obstructed labour. The awful injuries that such labour produces are called fistulae, and until the Hamlin’s began their work in Ethiopia, fistula sufferers, neglected and forgotten, ostracized by their husbands and families and forced to walk long pilgrimages for days on end to escape and find solace for what was seen as a lifetime of incapacity and degradation – the most lonely women on the planet.
Catherine and Reg with their team of dedicated fistula surgeons have successfully operated on over 250,00 women and the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital has become a major teaching institution for gynecologists all over Ethiopia and the developing world.
Two women from two completely different walks of life demonstrating conviction to bring about real change, one through education and the other on pure will – both became role models and catalysts for quantum leaps in human understanding and forgiveness.
Also, worth a read is Laura Hillenbrand’s “Unbroken” which is a harrowing account of the treatment of American POW’s during the Second World War.
All emotional, physiological, neurological and physical components of human survival are explored through the eyes of a Italian born American pilot as he drifts on a flotation device in the pacific ocean for 5 months, defending himself against sharks and Japanese air gun fire.
Maybe it was best said however in the recollection of the delightful words of Atticus Finch as played by Gregory Peck, who, to his children Jem and Scout, in a favourite novel of all time, “ To Kill a Mockingbird” recounts one of life’s most infamous lessons – “You never really know someone until you learn to see life from their perspective – to walk around in someone else’s shoes for a while.
The powerful metaphor of endurance training and physically going the distance creates a very open awareness to your physical thresholds, weaknesses and strengths. It is not enough to simply dip your toes in the water if you truly desire to make a change to your physical growth and energy, which in turn drives your rational mind. This is what builds the builds the courage, determination and neurological resilience to persevere and manifest your dreams and goals with respectful intention for the greater good of all people.
There are other countless true heroes that have gone the distance and stood up against much adversity. It is timely also to reflect on the incredible sacrifices Nelson Mandela made when he chose the improbable goal of unifying a fragile South Africa through victory in the Rugby World Cup.” Invictus”, is a compelling movie, free of idolatry beecause in fathering a nation, Mandela neglected a family.
We wish for the next generation the opportunity to experience new heroes in history as grand as his unconquerable soul.
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. And as it is with body awareness. All people should have access to intelligent and free education on relevant and truthful information on how to control their most important asset – their body!
Check in with us again for 20 mins on the 20th of November at 5 pm in King GEorge Square, Brisbane City where we will break a world record for 500 people balancing on Fit balls and educate everyone on the 5 most important aspects of physical excellence to create consistent mind/body connection. Bring someone you care about to a revolution in body awareness!
Join us..
https://trailwalker.oxfam.org.au/team/home/14939
.http://energygalore500.eventbrite.com.au/ –
.http://www.facebook.com/events/451336278275608/
.http://energygalore.com.au/2013/03/27/energy-galore-500/