Nick Bladen – Part 9 – The Over & Out Of It!

This is the final installment of Nick’s journey across the Bass Strait. Every time I have read this story, it inspires me a little bit more. Not to cross the Bass Strait in a kayak, but to live my journey in this life with passion, and fortitude. Enjoy Nick’s wise words.

So, we set out with a game plan and had clear intentions but as we progressed that game plan changed, our intentions and priorities changed, and consequently our mind set had to change as well. In our first attempt, this did not happen. We were continually at the mercy of our conditions, reacting to the events inflicted upon us instead of responding, and we were under prepared physically, mentally and resourcefully (although we thought we were very prepared!)

Not getting across the Bass Strait the first time was very disappointing, and initially I took this personally as a failure (and boy-o-boy, don’t people love to tell you about it! They highlight it and stress it regularly). Sadly for some people, it’s often a way of pushing you down so that they may then feel elevated. I then realised that what happened was all out of my control. we were at the hands of something we couldn’t control…..nature.

I am sure you have all experienced this at some point, but don’t give up. Do you shrink to others claims and believe their negative and self-defeating statements in a world which promotes mediocrity? Or do you rise to the test of passion, the test of true want and absorb the lessons and go back for another go? When at first you don’t succeed, you must  learn the lessons, then get resourceful, get equipped, and stand against adversity, persist with resolve, and never, never give up.

Do you shrink to what you have instead of stretching to what you want? Do you shrink to what you know you can do, or do you stretch for the things you really want to do? Do you shrink to other people’s expectations of you, or do you stretch the expectations you have of yourself? Not getting what you want is hard, but not going back and trying till you get it is even harder and something that may bother you subconsciously for the rest of your life.

When bad things happen or things don’t go as planned, there is always some kind of lesson in there – either you uncover that lesson or you don’t. It is as simple as that. As you go about your goals, dreams or even actions at work, remember that no one achievement represents an end in, and of itself. Often it is only the start! Whatever it is you are chasing – it could be a better job, it could be to lose weight, it could be to spend more time with your partner, it could be to give up smoking, or finish a course. Whatever it is – make sure you capitalise on every opportunity. Commit and be resilient. Accept 100% responsibility for your current position, and start now. There is never a perfect time!

To some, I am a banker and an engineer. To others I am an ocean kayaker or extreme sports person. But to most, I was and still am a boyfriend, a son, a friend or a work colleague doing something that inspires the very essence of my being. That is…….to experience. If we all have something in common, it is that we are all navigating the extreme adventure of life. We will all have the same outcome to our lives – death, but the steps in between our birth and death are unpredictable.

Embrace those steps, be responsive, seize opportunities, and if there is something you want, then go at it with absolute will, intestinal fortitude, and an unrelenting resilience until you get it. What inspires you right now? Whatever it is, follow it. There is more to life than work. Start fulfilling your life! No-one else will do it for you!

What can I add to this amazing man’s wisdom and amazing insight? As I have said previously, Nick is some-one that inspires simply by his presence, and I am fortunate that I had the opportunity to not only hear him speak, and spend a short time with him, but also that he allowed me to share this part of his life’s story with you all. Thank you Nick for this privilege. We would love to hear about your further adventures as you continue to go through your journey. Your insight to life and your thoughts have been gratefully accepted by myself, my family and also my Mind Recipes readers.  You really have bought about a change and have motivated us all!