One Of Those People ...

Photo courtesy of www.diananyad.com

When I heard that one of my heroes, Diana Nyad was once again attempting to swim from Cuba to Key West, I was impressed beyond words.  Although she had never completed her attempts, her accomplishments were still amazing and incredibly demanding.  In fact, when her last attempt didn't go as planned I wrote about her, still inspired by her endurance and determination ... stopping isn't failing.

Although I already thought she was a success for chasing her dreams, I was thrilled to watch Diana Nyad reach her dream and swim to the shores of Key West.  She is now the only person that has ever swam from Cuba to Key West ... on her 5th attempt and decades after her first attempt.  As the map on her site says ... "She freakin' made it"!

At 64 years of age, Diana Nyad is one of those people that inspires.  After completing her nearly 53 hour swim and walking onto dry sand, Diana spoke with a swollen tongue from jellyfish stings.  She had three things to say ... #1:  Never, ever give up.  #2: You're never too old to chase your dreams.  #3:  Never a solitary sport, it's a team.  If those three things don't reflect the great character of this woman ... she made sure to give credit to those who helped her dream become a reality.  Of course, she did the hard part! 

Diana's words and determination will stay with me, and I'll remind myself of them when working towards our own dreams.  On her blog, she says, "The journey was thrilling but the destination has brought tremendous internal satisfaction".  Our journey has been tough, and sometimes we feel down but we won't give up.  Some folks say it's all about the journey, but really ... who are we kidding?!  Our "journey" into becoming cruisers sucks more than not.  We're looking forward to our destination of leaving the dock ... with no destination.  That will bring our own share of internal satisfaction, probably because of the journey.  Okay, I get it.  Kinda reminds me of the Buddhist teachings that I try to follow.

Her statement about never being too old ... doesn't she look great?!  I swear I hate it when I hear someone who is physically capable of doing whatever they want say, "Oh, I'm too old to do that".  What a lame excuse.  Anyway, since I'm into fitness ... Diana Nyad is also an inspiration in staying fit and looking great at any age.  She is a true athlete.

Photo courtesy of www.boomerturnons.com/

Diana Nyad is one of those people ... a true role model.  We need more like her don't you think?

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!