Wow, I didn't realize how long it had been since last I wrote. And, apparently, by the number of people who have noticed..that's not a big problem. So, update, I did finish the walk. It was amazing and I am already signing up to do it again next year. Life changing was what people told me. I couldn't figure out what they meant:now I tell other people the same thing. The moments that struck me most were the people coming out to support us. They were lined up along many streets throught out the city. They had signs and posters and t-shirts. Pictures of moms, sisters, daughters, aunts, cousins, friends...they had passed or were suffering while we walked. I cried so many times that weekend.....I also fell once. Thirty kilometres into the walk, three more to go on the first day. I hit a hole that had been cut out of the pavement. Down I went. I hurt my ankle and my knee but there was no way that was going to stop me. I have done this before so I knew what had to be done, and, when I went to sleep that first night I cozied up with a bag of ice on my ankle. Another girl hit the same spot and broke her ankle and had to stop. I sure hope they fixed that before more people hit it. My friends, upon reflection, offered me the "best bouncing back" prize. They were astounded at how quickly I went down and how quickly I bounced back up. That got me thinking afterward. That's kinda my life. I, like so many, get presented with opportunities...some good some not so good..and all necessary for forward growth. They may set me back, they may knock me down but they don't knock me out.
So, I'm already in training for the next walk, next September, and getting all set to walk with the most remarkable team I have ever had the good fortune to be a part of. Ladies, from my heart, to all you Chix out walking...I am blessed and grateful. Stay tuned. Living la vida fearless, Jan

Fearless Living Coaching Services
Living la vida Fearless
Weekly Ezine. August 8, 2006


In Training



Some of you may know this already and some of you don't. It's not a secret that's for sure.
I am in training for a 60km walk in support of breast cancer research. The event is called The Weekend to end Breast Cancer. It takes place over two days on September 9 and 10. That means I have exactly one month left to train.
I am a member of a five person team called Chix Out Walking. We try to get together once a week to train.
When I first started thinking about doing this event I was convinced that it was something I felt compelled to do. I have had many people in my life touched in some way by breast cancer and have been blessed to have been spared personally. The trials the women, men
and children go through when suffering through this horrid illness seemed so much more
difficult than committing to walking 60km to support research for a cure. So, because I can, I am walking.
Knowing that I was walking made it imperative that I also begin training. When I signed up in February, September seemed eons away. Training began in earnest and then waned some weeks as is wont to happen if you don’t plan ahead.
When I began the training I thought there were tools I needed to have, should have, didn't know I needed to have and have now had to replace. I got my shoes, I got my proper walking gear, my hat, my sunscreen, my water bottles and waist belt. I picked up a whistle for when I walk alone and a pedometer to keep track of how far I've gone.
I discovered along the way that some tools were absolutely necessary and others were totally redundant and were just weighing me down. Reminds me of life....
As this month begins to pass, and each day takes me one step closer to this event, I have begun to reflect on my progress and that of my team.
Today I tried to figure out how the pedometer actually works as I have never actually done so.
While trying to re-set it I began to contemplate on how far I, and my team, have really come.
I am sharing some of my personal thoughts with you here...
We started out as a starry eyed bunch eager to make a difference and to accept a challenge.
One of our team members had successfully completed the walk last year so she immediately became our fearless leader and wise elder. We are grateful for her knowledge.
She is saving us from great pain as we begin this big day as she is sharing many tips with us on how to walk properly and what to wear to stay comfortable.
Upon further reflection of the last six months I have come to some conclusions.
People have told me this was impossible. It's not. There are more than 4,000 people doing this walk in Toronto alone.
People have told me I would never raise the money needed to participate. They were wrong. People are kind and generous of spirit when I share my goal with them.
People have told me I would never be able to finish this. They are wrong. I have support. I know I will be tired and I know the spirit and enthusiasm spilling out during the two days will be my cane if I need one.
People have told me I am crazy to try this. They are right and they are wrong...depends on what crazy means to them.
The tools I thought I needed to have were not always the right ones.
The tools I did need I didn't always have right away.
The laughter, love and wisdom I am gathering as I train with my team is strength enough to finish this walk.

People ask me if I am afraid I won't finish the walk. No, if I don't finish I know I will have done my very best. I know that it will have been better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all.
But, I don't intend on not finishing! When I was a teenager I did a walk called Miles for Millions. We walked 30 miles in one day. I was a lot younger than but I'm a lot smarter now. I did it then and I will do it now.
Training for this walk has taught me much about myself, about life and about intention
I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow both my physical muscles and my mental muscles. I will carry the proper tools with me on this walk. The most important tool for me to have, I believe, is the belief that I can do this and will do this: belief in one's self, knowing whether you can or cannot, is absolutely true. Henry Ford is quoted as saying "Whether you think you can or think you cannot you are right."

What are some tools that you carry with you that you don't need? What could you add to your tool-box to make your journey easier? Got any thoughts? I'd love to hear them.
Send me an email to Janet @ fearlessliving@rogers.com.

Living la vida fearless,

Jan


Is coaching for you? I work with people who want to be the difference in the world. “Be the change you wish to see.” Gandhi
Complimentary Discovery Sessions Offered.

I have had the opportunity to do some deep learning lately. There have been a lot of events that have presented themselves to me which were definitely not part of what I had planned out for my life. After hearing of yet another "opportunity for learning" my life lessons I had to really stop and ponder what it was the universe wanted me to learn.
After quite some time and a lot of quiet reflection it occured to me that I am not asking deeper questions of myself and of the people I am meeting. If I don't ask the tough questions then I wont' get the tough answers...I won't get to the truth of it all...Truth is messy sometimes that's for sure.
The problem though, lies in the hiding of the truth. If you don't uncover the complete issue and face the complete issue then the "thing" whatever "it" is hasn't been resolved.
It's easy to sweep things under the rug..to not ask too deeply and think that all is wel. But that's just not the case. All I was doing was masking the issues and hoping that "it" would just settle itself.
No such luck...or maybe that is the luck of it all.
In asking the deeper questions I am uncovering truths and untruths that I have been telling mySELF.
This is a difficult time but I can already see that it is a time of great learning and an opportunity to carry more wisdom forward on my journey.
What about you? Do you ask the tough questions?
Living la vida fearless, Jan

It's raining again....in Toronto...We have had such a wet spring and the odd part of it is that most of the time the rain falls during the weekend. The time when most people are off from their weekly jobs and wanting to get things done. My next door neighbour was discussing the fact that it had rained most weekends for the last couple of months and that it was raining because he was off work. My reply to him was to go back to work so that the rest of us could enjoy the sunshine. Sounded like it was all his fault we were having such lousy weather. All this rain got me thinking though. What do you do when it rains? If you had plans and then they get spoiled by rain what's next? Me, I write, practise guitar, go visit friends and make some nice meals. There are times when I go out for a walk just because I am so tired of being inside for too long....What about you? What do you do? Does rain spoil your plans? Living la vida fearless, Jan

Well, we've finally moved. We have been in our new, old, house for three weeks now. It is beginning to feel more comfortable. I am finding that having people over for meals and tea and coffee helps to create the feeling of it being a "home" and not just a "house." We've done a lot of lasts and a lot of firsts since we moved. The saddest is that we lost our beloved little kitty cat, Salem, two weeks after we moved. She got out one night and has yet to return. I keep looking for her and calling her but she is nowhere to be seen. The best is that we live very close to a large lake now and it only takes 5 minutes to walk there...so, walking is much more interesting now. Oh, and the fact that my husband has a five minute commute, by foot, if he walks slowly to his firehall. So, we got to thinking the other day, that, with all the firsts and lasts going on, we should have a ceremony of celebration. We are going to write down all the losses, even if they were good ones, and all the new things, even if they are bad ones, and then put them into a fire and burn them up. Then, we will cleanse the area with sage, to begin anew.
It's all about change and renewal and growth....
Living la vida fearless, Jan
fearlessliving@rogers.com
www.tobeyourbest.net