Inspiration is definitely all around us, but for the purpose
of this post, we're looking up.
Last month, daredevil Nik Wallenda and his sister, Lijana, performed a high wire act in Times Square. It was exciting and emotional. During a
practice a few years back, Lijana fell from the wire. She broke every bone in her
face and was not expected to survive, let alone walk (on the ground!) again. So while it was amazing to see her up in Times Square, it was more thrilling to
me to watch her take some of those early steps right above my head.
Wallenda makes some of his wire walking practice sessions free and open to the public. My husband and I
went to the first one. The crowd was silent as Lijana got up on the wire, but the desire for
her to succeed was practically thrumming through all of us, as if we were screaming on the inside. It wasn't until she made it all the way across that the crowd
breathed a sigh of relief then erupted into applause.
It all starts with one step. One step toward a dream. One step toward better health. One step toward freeing yourself from whatever chains hold you back, hold you down. It's okay if the step feels terrifying to you, but easy and normal to everyone else. It's okay if you need a harness or a safety net, especially in the beginning.
And even though most of us don’t have a crowd of people cheering for us and taking our photos (thank goodness for that last part!), we usually have at least a few special people rooting for us.
And, if it helps at all, please know that from this tiny
corner of the blogosphere, I am wildly applauding your progress.
*****
Who or what has inspired you lately? Why? Let's put some
positive energy out into the world!
Wow! She's brave! I love your thoughts on taking each step.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Madeline!
I think my daughters inspire me. My oldest climbed two mountains in the last two weekends - Mt. Hood at 11,000 ft and Mt. Adams at 12,000 ft. My youngest keeps on kayaking and has started rowing, in hopes of trying out for the team at her soon-to-be college.
I am taking walks and getting in steps. Someday, I hope to climb a small mountain (not the two mentioned above). :)
You're welcome, Tyrean!
DeleteWow, your girls are definitely inspiring! And good for you on taking those walks and getting in those steps. I have no doubt whatsoever that you will one day climb whatever mountain you choose! :)
I can't even imagine the confidence it takes not just to get up there, but to do it even after a horrific fall like that.
ReplyDeleteThe people who inspire me are the disabled vets, or any disabled person. Anyone who can keep going after losing a part of one's body is a hero to me.
Maybe when something is in your blood, it makes it a little easier, but still.
DeleteExcellent inspiration, Maria!
All the bones in her face? Holy crap! I'm glad to hear she recovered well and didn't let it stop her from tightrope walking again.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?! I'm pretty sure I'd have trouble just getting out of bed.
DeleteWhat a great post. She is one brave lady. It's amazing how many limits I put on myself that aren't half as much to overcome as things someone like this gal overcomes.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought of it that way, as putting limits on ourselves. I bet we often don't even realize we're doing it. The concept of "can't" is contagious, infecting every dream, goal, hope....
DeleteIt only takes a quick glance around the community to find many amazing people who overcome great obstacles and do so without complaining or seeking their 15-minutes of fame. they inspire me to be stronger and more compassionate.
ReplyDeleteYes! So many inspirational people go unnoticed - they're busy doing their thing. And often when they are spotlighted - usually through no fault of their own - they duck away from it.
DeleteThese pics are so amazing! I can't even imagine walking across that wire, even if I'd never suffered such a terrible accident. What an inspiring woman indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the uplifting post! And, I'm cheering you on as well!!
It's really something to see them close up - the way they step and slide, step and slide along that wire.
DeleteAw, Julie, thanks - I need all the help I can get. :)
Those pics are breath-taking. I can only imagine how impressive it was to see it in person.
ReplyDeleteI must admit, I'm easily inspired by the struggles and successes of others on most any level. I suppose that's why I'm a fan of America's Got Talent. :-)
I feel the same as you - "...I'm easily inspired by the struggles and successes of others on most any level." I love rooting for contestants on shows like Top Chef, and I always cheer whenever anyone conquers a fear of heights or of anything on The Amazing Race. :)
DeleteLove this post. My heart was in my throat. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Glad you enjoyed it, Anna! :)
DeleteWow, that's pretty impressive. It takes some strong will power and passion to get back up after a trauma like that.
ReplyDeleteSlacklining is one of my goals for this year (though I'm not making any progress due to lack of practice). It's like the high wire, but only a few feet off the ground and a flatter surface area to step on. Man, if she can make a comeback with the high wire like that, I should be able to master my much lower goal of making it more than a few steps without falling.
Thank you for explaining "slacklining" - I had no idea what it was. :)
DeleteGood for you for giving it a go! You always impress me with your athletic/fitness activities.
I can't imagine the courage to do that let alone after such a fall. I've had spurts of inspiration like a great email from a reader, but I've been slacking a lot this summer.
ReplyDeleteRecovering from surgery is not "slacking" at all! :)
DeleteThis is a fantabulous post! It must've been very exciting to watch her walk that tightrope in person, and I love that you used the experience inspire the rest of us. It's a perfect analogy.
ReplyDeleteThere's lots of inspiration to be found, and currently, my best friend is providing a lot of it. She had to go to the hospital after literally falling flat on her face on the concrete, and in the course of tests, the doctors discovered a softball-sized tumor on her kidney. Is she scared? A little, but she's also very grateful. If not for that fall, there's no telling how long it would've taken before the cancer was discovered. Now that she's about to start chemotherapy, she smiles and says her guardian angel pushed her.
Thanks so much, Susan!
DeleteI'm sending good thoughts your way for your friend. I love what she said about her guardian angel pushing her. It reminds me of something my maternal grandmother would've said. :)
Oh my goodness, I wouldn't have been able to watch this! With my fear of heights and falling, I'd have been a wreck seeing her do that. I'm trying to think about what has inspired me lately. It's a great question, but one I can't answer right now lol.
ReplyDeleteNo pressure on answering the question! Just think about it for yourself and when you realize inspiration all around you, you'll smile. :)
DeleteLijana is tough and brave. Wow. I am applauding her!
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely!
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