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Increasing Activity: Friday the 13th

The subject of today’s message happens to be the subject of the 2nd message I ever wrote to this group, it was on Friday, November 13th, 1998 that I wrote that 2nd message. It was a day after I had started Game 1 chemotherapy, and it was also my 23rd birthday. Being born on the 13th I’ve always had a special place for that number, and more specifically had a special thing for Friday the 13th. The number 13th is right up there with 4 and 11 as my favourite, and the Friday’s always seemed to be great days for me, ever since I can remember.

When I was in ICU in August 1999, we had a Friday the 13th, and I remember reading my Dad’s ICU Journal that he kept while I was really sick, and he made a special note of saying that “hey it’s Friday the 13th, it’s gonna be a good day for Geoff”. And it was.

I remember my mind-set way back on that November 13th, 1998, it was one of aggressiveness, control, and confidence. I was ready and keen to tackle whatever Challenges would come my way, that willingness to move forward has never faded, despite the fact that I really had no concept of the road I was about to travel, it hasn’t faded. My approach to the Challenge has certainly evolved, but my will to “keep on keepin’ on”, is solid and growing.

When I think about the Challenges I’ve faced and that will to “keep on keepin’ on” I think about one of my favourite words in the world… Responsibility. As I think it is one of the most important words, and I think taking it, taking Responsibility, for ourselves, our actions, our life and the state it’s in, that is one of the most important steps I have ever taken in my life. Once diagnosed with Leukemia the fact is that it didn’t matter how I had gotten to that point, what mattered is what I was going to do now that I was there.

I have this theory about Responsibility that states… it can be really tough to take Responsibility for our situation sometimes, especially when it’s a tough situation, but once we work through that initial step and begin to take Responsibility for our life and all things in it, I believe we will want to take more of it, as what we do when we take Responsibility is we take the power, take control of our lives, and that is a great feeling. In fact it is one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever had. Knowing that no one is to blame for our situation, and that it is our Responsibility to work our way through it however we choose. That is a very powerful thing.

As I continue to work through my Challenges I do take great comfort from the fact that the buck stops with me, as a good friend of mine wrote to me quite a while ago “if it is to be, it is up to me”. More accurate words have never been written.

It’s one week before I take Responsibility for dragging my butt up Signal Hill, next Friday the 20th is the day and my excitement is growing by the minute. This year’s event is rolling out incredibly, there are individuals having their own Remote Climbs in Alberta, Ontario, Ireland, and so many places in between, organized Climbs in St. Anthony and Halifax and on the home front the momentum is building. It would be great to have you climb with me next Friday, where ever you are. Please let me know if you have interest.

Enjoy your Friday the 13th, I’m sure I will. Back soon.

 

Always…
Live Life. Love Life.

Geoff

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