The 3rd time, excuse me, the 5th time is a charm!

Is it just ME, or do you, too, relish the joy of a great human interest story?  If so, this is your luck day…

The name Diana Nyad is not new in the news.  In mentioning her name, some may respond, “Isn’t she that old lady who keeps trying to swim a long distance – and keeps failing?”

“No”, I would refute, “she’s that relentless woman who keeps inspiring all of us to never give  up on a dream, a goal and to just keep pursuing it; but, yes, she is a swimmer”.

Well, on Monday, September 2, 2013, “that old lady” made history.

She made history because she attempted – for a 5^th time – to swim from Cuba to the Keys of Florida.  That’s not the only reason she made history.  She blew it out of the water (no pun intended; unless you think it’s a good one) by being the first to do so without the protection of a shark cage (the kind that keeps them out!) AND, “SHE” is 64 years of age.

Aside from the obvious athleticism required for such a strenuous swim – not to mention dangerous -  and the place Ms. Nyad  takes in swimming history, let’s not overlook what this represents on so many levels.  This is bigger than a sporting event. This is more than “the thrill of victory” over “the agony of defeat”, as the Wide World of Sports taught us. This is bigger than the individual – and I take not a thing away from Ms. Nyad.  This is a story about life, the human spirit, teamwork, determination, persistence.

This is a story within a story and each of us should see ourselves in it.

How many people do you know – and have loved – whose knee you  may have sat upon or whose hand you  may have held who shared all they had dreamed of doing in life – then told you all the reasons they didn’t do any of it?  Can you count?  If you can think of even one (and I defy you not to) STOP; that’s enough.

Now, how many people do you know, admire or wish you could be more like who just keep doing, who don’t keep track – or score  - and just keep doing.  Perhaps, they don’t even take the time to share their story.  That’s fine; their story will live by virtue of what it is they did to affect the lives of others and for long after they have physically left this earth.

Who would you rather be?

Today, I challenge you to be a Diana Nyad (I know, the thought of putting on a bathing suit is one of the greatest fears among women!!  Something else, if I might add, I give Ms. Nyad’s credit for!)

Put a dream into motion.  Stop excusing yourself for not trying.  Believe it, or not, there is more dignity in trying and not succeeding than in never trying at all.  Don’t equate a failed attempt with ultimate failure.  Don’t accept the “would have”, “could have”, “should have” path to old age.  Replace it with “Veni”, Vidi, Vici” (Latin for: I came, I saw, I conquered.)  Believe me, your perceptions, your beliefs, your attitude are the highest mountains you have to climb – or swim….

Here’s what I especially love about Diana Nyad:

She never gave up.

She sees herself as a member of a team – though she was the only one  swimming.

She acknowledges that, though faster as a twenty year old – when she first attempted the swim, it was her wisdom as a 64 year-old that helped her reach her destination (Youth, so often wasted on the young!)

She said she appreciated the journey, itself – it did take a lifetime.

She immediately inspired others to keep trying rather than speak about herself and the grueling 110 miles behind her. 

And,

That on a U.S. National Holiday called Labor Day, she may have worked harder than she ever had – because a dream, a goal and a destiny are always worth getting out of bed for – even on a holiday.

So, IS it just me, or do you, too, feel yourself wanting to dig inside your memory bank of yesterday’s dreams, dust them off and jump back in.  Even if you start by just dipping your toe in this pond of personal dreams left too long on the shelf… hey, it’s a start.  

Age, like attitude, is just a state of mind