Article by Wendy McCance
I was reading an article about a man named Ashrita Furman. He has the world’s Guinness Book Record for (if you can believe it) the MOST Guinness Book Records. I found this to be absolutely astounding. First of all, I didn’t know that such a thing existed. Second, I was incredibly impressed with his accomplishment. He has over 300 titles as the best at something or other.
It got me thinking about the challenges he took. How amazing is it to just go for it. I don’t believe I know anyone who has challenged themself 300 different times with activities that really pushed themselves to the limit, or at least pushed themself out of their comfort zone.
I started making a mental list of everything I have done which by all accounts might seem not like a challenge at all to another person. To me, these things I have attempted definitely put me out of my comfort zone, thus creating the challenge. So here are a few things I have done:
Learning to fly a plane (only flew a handful of times, but did talk with the control tower and took off from the runway).
Parasailing
Built trucks in a factory (I am not at all mechanically inclined and the things I did still amaze me).
Started my own company.
Currently working on a book.
Honestly, I am now stumped. My list is very small and although I’m sure there are many other things I’ve done throughout the years, I am rather disappointed that there aren’t more amazing things that I can say I’ve done. Can you image this man who had over 300 records? It’s not that he was the best at all of these records that gets me, but that he pushed himself to try so many different things.
I want to be a better role model for my kids and this means showing them to always reach for the things that are uncomfortable. Expand your life and really LIVE it. When my children are grown and have kids of their own, I want to be that grandma that the grandkids are in awe of. The grandma that according to the grandkids can do anything and still does.
Wendy McCance
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I love your quote at the top. It may not be world records but I do challenge myself everyday to do something more than I did before. Some days it works some days it doesn’t. But if you do it everyday you will find you have accomplished more than you thought possible.
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed the quote.
How true Wendy. Keep your list growing.