I sat with my youngest the other night watching some youtube clips of climbing. He’s harnessed (pun intended) a new found passion in this form of movement. If he’s not climbing himself he’s watching others do it. Picking up tips, techniques and generally being inspired. In particular, he watched Alex Honnold in “Free Solo”, Adam Ondra completing the “hardest route in the world”, Tommy Caldwell in “The Dawn Wall” and Pete Whittaker rope soloing Freerider on El Capitan. All these guys put in hours of specific training to be able to achieve their goals. Often over many years, repeating the same moves again and again until they became second nature in a whole choreographed routine of intricate and exact moves. The dedication is awe inspiring. After watching each of these films my 9 year old would take himself off into our mini climbing wall and practice the harder moves on little holds until they became easier and consistent. He was inspired, but more importantly putting that inspiration into practice.
On one particular film watching occasion he turned to me and asked who my inspiration was. He was referring specifically to me getting into climbing myself. The biggest influence here would be my Auntie Maret. Without her taking me out for my first few goes of climbing out in the Peak District when I was around 12 years old, and later as I hit 20, my life could have looked very different. There was something in those first few moments of being on rock that lit me up. Something dormant that sprang to life. I just loved it. The whole flow of movement, strength in mind and an ability in body was something I’d never really experienced prior to that. It was an activity my quiet, determined self could embrace. Many weekends I would head into Derbyshire, Wales, or the Lake District and spend many hours out on rock getting to know and meet different people as I did so. This slowly morphed into other outdoor pursuits, all of which light me up.
We tend to think of people doing big stuff when it comes to those that are inspirational. And that’s true. I viewed my climbing Auntie as a strong, independent woman going out and having all these amazing experiences and adventures around the world. Something I aspired to. She told me recently that at 17yo she and a friend headed off to Switzerland, climbed a mountain and wild swam in the lakes there. And I thought my 4 day trip to Whitby at that age was “adventurous”!
However, there are many people in my life that inspire me on a daily basis. My kids trying new things that seem way out of their comfort zone but with some gentle encouragement (and sometimes bribery) they open themselves up to new experiences. The look of joy and self achievement when they do is priceless. I will never tire of observing those precious moments. My parents as they were heading towards their 70’s incorporating new habits and routines to help strengthen their health. My late beautiful Mama for always having a cheeky smile and laugh along with some old saying or comment that would make me laugh (asking “are you in pain?” as I sang not being one of them! 😂). My clients who make the decision to invest in themselves, their health and joy in life. Friend’s/family who keep me accountable for getting out in nature and reminding me of why I love doing the things I do. Acquaintances who have the weird ability to remember names (I lack this quality). Those who are constantly developing themselves, learning and experiencing. Those open to new ideas and ways of thinking even if ultimately they later disregard it as not for them. Those who retrain and choose a different career path later in life to follow a passion. The list is endless and one I won’t bore you with here. There are too many beautiful souls, past and present, that have helped shape and inspire me along the way.
Inspiration can be found everywhere and in the smallest of things. It’s what you choose to do with that inspiration yourself as to how much it can positively impact your life. I hope I inspire others as they do me. It’s no more evident than when it comes to children and how they are inspired and encouraged by those around them. They’re great mimics and absorb so much. They too are a source of amazing inspiration.
I’ve slowly come to the realisation that the best way to inspire others is to go out and truly be yourself. Let your own light shine. As Oscar Wilde once said “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken”. So be inspired. Take that inspiration and make it into something that fits you!