Lets create our own inspiring story

GOD made you and me with the same dedication, commitment, focus and HOPE as HE did for someone like Sir Edmund Hillary. This is also true for each and everyone around us. When HE created us, he did not create any difference, in terms of giving us the "freedom" to mold our own lives, live the life that we want to live, define our own path and to go and achieve our own goals and dreams.

We do trust GOD on this impartial commitment. Isn't it? Then, why is it that some of us are able to carve our names in the history books while some keep struggling for most part of their lives.
What is the answer that comes to your mind? Luck? Well, may be to some extent, you are right. But is that the only factor? Is there anything else? Is there something that can be learnt from these "heroes", something that we can also adapt in our own lives and make our life a little more meaningful.

Before we learn about some of such traits from Sir Edmund Hillary's life, the question arises that what was so extraordinary about his achievement? How did it help the humankind? With no disregard to anyone, I mean, he just climbed a mountain. Geography was not furthered by this achievement, scientific progress was scarcely hastened, and nothing new was discovered or invented. Yet the names of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay instantly entered into all cultures, folklore, nations and history books, as the names of heroes. They truly were men of heroic mold.

They represented the spirit of humans beings overcoming gigantic odds while facing seemingly impossible challenges in life. It is a salute to their never-say-die spirits that they became immortal. Remember that this undying spirit also remains the core behind all discoveries, inventions, breakthroughs that happen across the world today or will happen in future.

Let us have a look at how Edmund Hillary reacted to various questions posed to him and what we all can learn from his life

1. There is no limit to the human potential. We only restrict our minds.

As goes with one of the most likeable sayings: "If you think you can do it, you are right. If you think, you cannot do it, you are right again."

After three failed attempts to Mt Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary looked at Mount Everest and said with a clenched fist, “You have defeated me again. But I will return and I will defeat you. As Mt Everest, you cannot grow any further, but as a human being, I can !”On May 29th, 1953,Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, conquered Mt Everest.

2. We must conquer our own negativity

Yes, there will be obstacles in life. The life will never be a smooth ride. Each obstacle will help you become stronger and help you grow as an individual, will make you tough and prepare you for the oncoming challenges in life. Nothing happens in life for no reason.

Years after conquering Mt Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary said, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.”
I am sure that there would have been enough of his colleagues and friends who would have told him that he is trying something impossible, that he may not survive this attempt, that he is wasting his time etc. But that is the power of a dream to convert a negative energy into positive.

3. Greatness is in Humility

While you may have achieved great feats, the toughest challenge in front of you would be to stay humble and modest about what "seems" to be a "great" achievement. The achievement is great till someone else "conquers" the same, and it will surely happen one day.

On him being a international hero, Edmund says, “I was just an enthusiastic mountaineer of modest abilities who was willing to work quite hard and had the necessary imagination and determination. I was just an average bloke; it was the media that transformed me into a heroic figure. And try as I did, there was no way to destroy my heroic image. But as I learned through the years, as long as you didn’t believe all that rubbish about yourself, you wouldn’t come to much harm.”

4. Motivation is the key.

On his spirited efforts he says, “You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things — to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals. The intense effort, the giving of everything you’ve got, is a very pleasant bonus.”

5. You cannot stop after accomplishing your Goals

On being asked, what were his thoughts up there, he says, “While standing on top of Everest, I looked across the valley, towards the other great peak, Makalu, and mentally worked out a route about how it could be climbed… it showed me that, even though I was standing on top of the world, it wasn’t the end of everything for me, by any means. I was still looking beyond to other interesting challenges."

He went ahead and completed that goal also very soon. When asked, what will you do now, he says, “Why make a fuss over something that’s done anyway? I was never one to obsess about the past. Too much to do in the future!” No wonder he went on to put his feet on both the poles. He is the first person who conquered Mt Everest AND set his feet on both the poles.

6. True Happiness comes only by "Giving", irrespective of all other achievements

On being asked, was standing over Mt Everest the best moment of your life, he says, “Reaching the summit of a mountain gives great satisfaction, but what for me has been more rewarding in life than the result of our climb on Everest, is when we have devoted ourselves to the welfare of our Sherpa friends by building hospitals and schools.”

"Giving" surely adds bliss to you life.

LET US INSPIRE !!

All of us face challenges in life - big and small. These challenges are nothing but ‘our Mt Everest’. Some of us have conquered our Mt Everest and it is time to go for the poles. Some do not know how to move ahead. Some might have accepted defeat and therefore, given up on our own tryst with our greatness. If you trust HIM, wake up and go for your dreams. Because, remember, HE made everyone the same.

Every generation needs its heroes. Hillary and Tenzing were heroes to their generation. They filled the lives and conversations of people with an ‘I can’ spirit. They inspired. 

Today, out there somewhere, someone is counting on you to be inspiring. As i sign off this post, i know that some of you may might appreciate this article, get inspired and then just move on to read the next story. But there will also be some of you who would also take "action" in the direction of your mission and dreams in life.

Stories are more powerful and exciting than facts. Conquer your Mt Everest. Be a great story. 

Lets inspire !!

Cheers

Manoj Arora