Are You Ready To Find A Way, Like Diana Nyad Did?

Are You Ready To Find A Way, Like Diana Nyad Did?So, I’ve got a question for you.

When you travel between countries, I’m guessing you like to do so by plane, right? Yep. Me too. Give me some snacks and the in-flight entertainment system, and I’m happy.

But Diana Nyad? She likes to travel a bit differently.

Just in case you’re not familiar with Diana Nyad, she’s the 64-year-old woman who, last week, successfully swam non-stop from Cuba to Florida. (In case that sounds short, it’s about 110 miles!)

Definitely no in-flight entertainment system on her journey and definitely not a lot of snacks.

In fact, it was more likely that she would become someone else’s snack (hello sharks!), as she was the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a shark cage. 

Can someone say a-m-a-z-i-n-g? I can! And I’ll even throw in a ‘Holla!’

Are YOU ready to find a way?

So, I’ve got another question for you…

Pink Question MarkWhat are you working on right now, whether it’s related to work, life, or your personal growth, that you’re having difficulty achieving and are feeling tempted to give up on?

Really, answer this question and keep your response in mind as you read on. I’ll wait.

{Insert Jeopardy-like music here while I wait.}

OK, got your response in mind? Great, let’s continue…

While Diana Nyad’s successful swim was incredible in and of itself, what she said afterward was even more inspiring.

And I hope you’ll keep what she said in mind every time you’re thinking about giving up on whatever it is you answered in response to the question above.

What she said − three things:

:1:  Never, ever give up.

Diana attempted this swim four times in the past, and failed. She didn’t give up, though. In fact, each attempt informed the next one. During her last try, she had to stop because of debilitating jellyfish stings on her face. This time? She and her team devised a silicone face mask for her to wear so she wouldn’t get stung.

Failures are lessons in disguise. They are only mistakes if we don’t learn from them. Learn, and never give up. (Tweet This!)

:2:  You’re never too old to chase a dream.

Are You Ready To Find A Way, Like Diana Nyad Did?64 years old. Can you believe Diana Nyad swam 110 miles at 64 years old?! I’m over twenty years younger and I can barely swim one lap across my parents’ pool! 🙂 But that’s not the point. The point is that it’s never too late to achieve a dream, and if Diana Nyad’s amazing accomplishment at 64 doesn’t show that, then I don’t know what does. Enough said. I’m out.

:3: Find a way.

During one post-swim interview with CBS, Diana said something so very simple, but yet so very powerful. She said, “After trying this swim four times before, I found a mantra this time to use, which was, ‘Find a way’. All of us suffer difficulties in our lives. And if you say to yourself, ‘find a way,’ you’ll make it through.” What I love about her mantra is that it’s just three simple words that are so easy to remember and to call forward when we need them.

:: ::

So, now, my last question for you…

Are you ready – and willing – to find a way, like Diana Nyad did?

To achieve that goal you’ve been struggling with? 

To achieve that success that you are worthy of?

To love and accept yourself exactly as you are?

To be yourself?

Every time you feel as if you’re not, think of Diana Nyad and ‘find a way’. 

Now, it’s your turn! Share with me in the comments section below – tell me about a time when you found a way to achieve a dream or to overcome a challenge.

To finding a way,

Rachel

 

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Comments

  1. I heard about Diana Nyad last week…amazing story! Loved this post. She is so inspiring. Find a way is a great mantra and I’m going to try and remember it whenever I am feeling discouraged.

  2. I remember when I moved to a new city for work and I felt really lonely at first, just because I had naturally just moved somewhere new where I didn’t know anyone. Tired of spending weekends alone, I knew I had to ‘find a way’ to meet people and make new friends…

    It was hard at first, but I found different things to get involved in, like meetup groups and other things, and finally met a few buddies to hang out with.

    Wish I had known about Diana Nyad then! 🙂

    • I know what you mean, Michaela…I wish I had known about Diana sooner also…she’s so inspiring! Thanks for reading, and I’m glad that you found a way around your challenge!