Visit Abby’s Blog: http://soloround.blogspot.com/

Why is it that some of us are driven to sail around the world, while others are content with squashing our dreams and living an ordinary life… or worse, living like we are lost in life?

Have you heard of Abby Sunderland? She is a sixteen year old girl who decided that she wanted to do something grand. In fact, she wants to set a world record. Her dream? To be the youngest person to sail around the world, solo. On January 23rd, 2010 Abby set out to accomplish this as she embarked upon a journey that is sure to change her life.

Abby’s dream is not for the faint at heart. In fact it comes with great risk. And, because of her youth and the risk involved, many people spoke out against Abby, and her parents, for allowing her to do it.

And, it appears that the naysayers had a good reason to be concerned. Sadly, it appears that Abby Sunderland is lost at sea. Recently, distress calls were received from Abby somewhere in the Indian Ocean. It could take days before rescuers locate her. One can only pray that she will be safely returned.

What is this special something with in Abby Sunderland that causes her to seek out such a daring dream? And, so young at that?!  What is it about her that drives her to go to such great lengths? Most people today won’t even take a first step toward making their dreams come true, for dreams not nearly the level of adventure or risk that Abby embraced.

Clearly Abby was able to tap into her inner power to define her dream and implement it. Consider all the steps she must have taken to plan this dream… she needed a boat, needed to learn how to sail it, needed to learn how to navigate it and use the communication equipment. She needed to learn how to care for herself and maintain the boat during it’s voyage. Abby needed to learn how to read maps and make important decisions on the fly. She also needed to learn how to be okay being alone. How to manage fear; She needed to learn how to stay calm cool and collected under the enormous pressure and public backlash of those opposing her choice.

Here are five truths this young woman can teach us all:

1. Stay true to you: Be authentically you, no matter what anyone says. Always embrace your dreams.
2. Life is an adventure: Live life boldly! Smile broadly! And, let the wind blow through your hair.
3. Use safety precautions: Thankfully, Abby has distress signals, a life vest and markers on her boat that will help us find her. When implementing your big dreams, have backup plans for the “disasters”.  Have people you can go to for help and know when the time comes to bring them in for support.
4. Know where you are going: Abby had a vision of what she wanted to accomplish. And, more tangibly she has a “roadmap” and navigation equipment that tells her where she has been and where she is going. When considering your big dreams, create a vision of it so you are clear about what you want to achieve. And, create a plan to get there.
5. Do the work: Accomplishing dreams takes work. Sure it feels fulfilling and that passionate energy can feel really good. Yet, making dreams come true requires commitment and follow through. And, take good care of yourself so that you can have the health and energy you will need to weather the storms.

For now, we can no only trust that Abby Sunderland is alive and well somewhere in the great blue. Right now, everyone, please say a prayer for Abby. Send her silent blessings and gratitudes for all that she is teaching us. Step away from judgment or “I told you so” and embrace Abby’s choice to make her dream come true. It is through her ingenuity, determination and shear courage that we can all learn such powerful lessons and from this perspective, she becomes a beacon of hope and adventure for us all.

Comment on these questions:

What is your dream? How driven are you to achieve it? How do you handle the naysayers? And, what do you do when the going gets rough?

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