There’s a difference between pushing yourself and killing yourself, and I found myself saying that to people consistently throughout the week. As I was interacting with Patient’s and people who have been struggling with their energy, and time to get things done, I would say to them that “there’s a difference between pushing yourself, which I feel can be very healthy, and killing yourself, which means you have crossed the healthy line”.
The more I said that the more it made sense to me, and then as the Climb drew closer, as my energy reserves drained, as my flu, that developed somewhere around Thursday morning, progressed, I realized that if I kept that pace I would have been so far past the line it would have been out of sight. So Friday morning I stayed in bed, and most of Friday I relaxed and did my best to recharge before heading to set up for the Climb. The rest was much needed, but also probably a couple of days late. As I reflect it appears to me that I spent the past few days too close to that line between healthy and unhealthy pushing, too close to killing myself. Another part of me learning the lesson to slow down.
I did listen to my internal guide yesterday, and had the battery to get through the Pre-Climb hype and then push myself up Signal Hill. It was another great Sept 20th, and the roughly 500 Climbers surrounding me
definitely helped me tackle that Hill for the first time in a year. So many amazing stories connected to yesterday, some very special Climbers there with me at the bottom, and at the top! The average age of the Climbers this year was considerably lower than in the past, which was pretty reflective of our efforts to get students involved. We didn’t just Climb on Signal Hill, as I mentioned earlier in the week, people Climbed all across the province, across the country and across borders. A record number of Climbers, record number of dollars raised to support our education based mission, and another layer in the foundation of our growing organization. When I have more final numbers you can be sure I’ll pass them along.
As I look at the post-Climb clean up and the house-keeping, I am struck by the efforts of so many others, of all sizes and ages, to help me, and who’s efforts make such a difference. I was asked yesterday about what I’m doing, and why… I answered that in my 26 years I’ve never found any experience as amazing as the one that sees me make the effort to help some one else. While I don’t think it’s a secret, more specifically I’ll talk to you about it forever, I can tell you that I feel fortunate to have figured it out.
A big-time thank you to those of you who Climbed with me yesterday, on Signal Hill, or where ever you were, from my heart.
Always…
Live Life. Love Life.
Geoff
