Letting Go – Day 25
Letting Go – Day 25
By Jenny Griffin
Letting Go through Crisis: ‘The Optimism Revolution’
Today is dedicated to the man behind one of my favorite Facebook pages, ‘The Optimism Revolution.’ That man is Jim Willett, an ultra-runner, cancer survivor and optimist. His outlook encompasses for me an amazing ability not only to find gifts within life’s challenges, but to kick those challenges in the ass and rise above them, stronger than before. Here’s his Optimism Revolution page update from 6 February 2013, which gives you a sense of that positive attitude:
‘A reflection…
Actions speak louder than words, they say. But words are often the catalyst for our actions–both good and bad.
For a long time I wandered through the abyss of time. And it’s not that I was having a particularly bad life, but not a great one, either. I always felt like I could do more, be more.
And then I began to change the words that I listen to. The ones from others, and the ones I told myself. When I got cancer, I was terrified, but I also realized I could take those words, “you have cancer,” and choose to make them into something bigger than myself. Maybe I could help other people. But it’s also helped–and healed–me in the process.
Now, my goal is to run ultramarathons, and participate in adventures, all over the world. I want both my words and my actions to speak loudly, and send the right message. And I have no idea how it’s going to play out; how I’m going to manage it financially; or what it will look like…. But I won’t let that stop me! Because to me the word “defeat’ now means “growth” and the word “adversity” now means opportunity.
