Where do you stand on the management of hopes and fears?

“And Number 1, the most dangerous airport in the world, is Lukla.”

So spoke the presenter of the TV documentary. My wife was horrified. And then came news of the tragic crash of a Lukla-bound aircraft out of Kathmandu.

Add to this an awareness of the effects of altitude, the likelihood of temperatures 20 degrees below zero, and YouTube clips of Island Peak’s 20,000’ summit ridge.

Same journey, different take…

In contrast I am thrilled by the prospect of my Himalayan trek. From Kathmandu to Lukla by air, then on foot up the Khumbu valley to Everest Base Camp, and finally the climb of Island Peak. And back to Lukla again. Eighteen days of amazing new sights, sounds, tastes and smells; and an embodied aliveness that comes from movement through awesome landscapes.

More than kit and training…

I have been training in the Brecon Beacons, the Lake District, and the Scottish Highlands – enjoying each day in the mountains for itself and for its future purpose. I have been building up the kit I need, carefully balancing need, luxury and weight. With 2 weeks to go, I am pretty much packed and ready.

But of course, any big journey is more than just kit and training.

How yelling out an adventurous “yes!” can save you from a life on the sofa

“Never did I think I would be dancing to an AC/DC tribute band in a salsa club in Cusco!”

So posted a friend of mine on Facebook.

A handful of years earlier she had been living something of a routine corporate life. Several adventurous “yes’s” later she is an accomplished expedition leader, with successful trips to the Andes, Africa, and Nepal to her name. She is loving life.

The answer to how is yes…

Peter Block’s book “The answer to how is yes” shines a light on how lives can be transformed when people step away from a seemingly automatic “no, because etc…” response to new possibility.

Many people of course don’t really recognise the word “possibility.” Their brains take them to a place of difficulty, obstacles, risks, upheaval. Of implementation. Of reason. Away from passion and dreams.

The outcome? Life on a sofa. As a spectator.

Try this…

If you would like to move off the sofa, try saying some little heartfelt yes’s and see where they take you.

Say “yes” first and work out “how” later.

Then try some bigger yes’s, and see where you go.  Look back.

How distant does that sofa look?

What will be your Cusco salsa bar moment?

Dave

Dave Stewart
Director
The Fresh Air Learning Company Ltd