FEATSA 12 February 2011

To coin the words from Frankie Valli's song - Oh, what a night! 

A different take on a feat....

Marc and I were fortunate enough to speak at the Cape Town leg of FEATSA. on Saturday evening 12th February 2011. 

feat – noun, a noteworthy or extraordinary act or achievement, usually displaying boldness or skill.

I have certainly never considered what I accomplished to be all that noteworthy or to have been an extraordinary act or achievement that would involve boldness or skill and that is definitely not why I went trundling off to the Atacama Desert and South America.

Rather I considered it to be an expression of circumstances leading up to something that I could do that I considered 'big' for me and that I would go to the ends of the earth to accomplish!

Saying this however, I have realised over time that it was all this and more!

By speaking at FEATSA and meeting with other everyday people that have accomplished extraordinary things I am truly humbled.  I don't think a feat necessarily means having to pack your bags and head off on an adventure of sorts, I do think that a feat is accomplished by anyone that puts themselves out there with the inevitable probability of failure!  I also think that if what I have done can instil a sense of 'I can do it' in someone then I will tell my story to anyone who will listen.  Many people feel strangled by their lives and don't believe that there is a way out...there is always a way out you just have to believe in yourself enough to take a step out of the comfort zone called - your life.

Now before you start thinking ‘how does a person living on the street do this’ etc....I am not 'dissing' such people all I am saying to the average 'joe soap' out there, if I can, so can you!  I am neither noteworthy nor extraordinary, I am not an adventurer or competitor, I am not a mountaineer or climber and I am note overtly bold or skilful in any discipline.  What I is that average 'joe soap' who decided that life had to be more that it was at a specific point in time and that i wanted to give it everything I had to prove just that.

I am incredibly grateful to those people who have made this journey possible and I look forward to many, many more.  Marc you have been a true inspiration, I would not have made it without your support, encouragement, knowledge and skills or even the occasional badgering.  And to my family and friends for their unwavering support - even when they were wondering what on earth had gotten into me!  Lisa your enthusiasm is addictive and although we only hooked up towards the end of our preparations you make things like this possible just by being you!  And to the others behind the scenes, they know who they are, thank you.

Do I think that I should have been on that stage on Saturday evening - before I left for CT probably not but having someone believe in what you have accomplished enough to put you out in the public face makes me think maybe......