Julia, this is outstanding, like all of your posts. First of all, I'm sorry there had been so much abuse in your history. I admire your honesty and your telling it like it is. I also had a dysfunctional family dynamic and have had the words programmed into me that I'm bad and ugly. Luckily, I have been in therapy, which has helped quell these voices, but it will always be a struggle.
I admire that you've dared to do so many things that so many people are afraid to venture out and do. I think it's wonderful. You're right: to prepare for a scale of such a high mountain, one has to be prepared and shouldn't think that a Stairmaster is sufficient training.
My grand adventure is a medical one. As you know, I'm a breast cancer survivor. My big training came with my final surgery, a 10-hour double mastectomy with reconstruction that involved three surgeons, two of them microsurgeons. It took 11 months of self-advocacy to fire the wrong doctors and hire the right ones for this life-saving surgery to take place. During these 11 months, I trained for the surgery like it was the Olympics: swam, ran, lifted weights, walked, etc. While still a brutal surgery, I endured this adventure as well as possible because I was well-trained for it. And, as it turns out, I saved my life, as my supposedly "normal" breast was loaded with precancerous cells, threatening having cancer a second time.
On another note, I love Beryl Markham. She simply is amazing. She's done so many incredible things in her life.
Julia, you always hit it out of the park. Working on quelling the flames of negative self-talk has been lifelong work for me. When I read an essay like yours, two things happen: first of all I don't feel so along and secondly, I feel inspired to keep rising upward to meet my very best self. Sending love, hugs and goodwill. ~Stephanie
huh- I don’t either, Kelly. I wouldn’t characterize humility as doubting ourselves so much as keeping our egos in check. I guess I’d better read that again!
Relate to this post on so many levels! You, Julia, inspire! I am challenged even more to get out and LIVE! We all need to read, hear, and get off the literal or metaphorical couch! Bless you for this! ~Wendy💜
Julia, this is outstanding, like all of your posts. First of all, I'm sorry there had been so much abuse in your history. I admire your honesty and your telling it like it is. I also had a dysfunctional family dynamic and have had the words programmed into me that I'm bad and ugly. Luckily, I have been in therapy, which has helped quell these voices, but it will always be a struggle.
I admire that you've dared to do so many things that so many people are afraid to venture out and do. I think it's wonderful. You're right: to prepare for a scale of such a high mountain, one has to be prepared and shouldn't think that a Stairmaster is sufficient training.
My grand adventure is a medical one. As you know, I'm a breast cancer survivor. My big training came with my final surgery, a 10-hour double mastectomy with reconstruction that involved three surgeons, two of them microsurgeons. It took 11 months of self-advocacy to fire the wrong doctors and hire the right ones for this life-saving surgery to take place. During these 11 months, I trained for the surgery like it was the Olympics: swam, ran, lifted weights, walked, etc. While still a brutal surgery, I endured this adventure as well as possible because I was well-trained for it. And, as it turns out, I saved my life, as my supposedly "normal" breast was loaded with precancerous cells, threatening having cancer a second time.
On another note, I love Beryl Markham. She simply is amazing. She's done so many incredible things in her life.
Julia, you always hit it out of the park. Working on quelling the flames of negative self-talk has been lifelong work for me. When I read an essay like yours, two things happen: first of all I don't feel so along and secondly, I feel inspired to keep rising upward to meet my very best self. Sending love, hugs and goodwill. ~Stephanie
Heartfelt thanks, Stephanie. Honestly don't we all deal with these voices in one way or another? We're in excellent company!
Thank you Julia.
You are so welcome, Caroline.
Love it. Guess I don’t see humility as self doubt. I see it as the antidote to arrogance for sure!
huh- I don’t either, Kelly. I wouldn’t characterize humility as doubting ourselves so much as keeping our egos in check. I guess I’d better read that again!
Relate to this post on so many levels! You, Julia, inspire! I am challenged even more to get out and LIVE! We all need to read, hear, and get off the literal or metaphorical couch! Bless you for this! ~Wendy💜