Passion Motivates me to my Highest Levels

It's a little under 8 weeks until I embark on my first serious climbing trip in over 17 years. Don't ask why it has been so long between them, here are too many stories to tell, only that I chose other things, and now I'm choosing to climb again. The motivation and inspiration that is this generating in me is truly beautiful.

For me there is nothing as powerful as that sensation that starts to consume your thoughts more and more as you approach a goal. It's pure excitement for me. I'm going to the Costa Blanca to climb on some of Spain's most beautiful limestone and I feel like a youth again in my spirit, but with a body that has been tempered with age and a mind that has greater wisdom on the every action of my person

I find that in every yoga pose, my mind is allowing reflection on how my softness and relaxation in the pose will aid my climbing.

Every LifeForce Dynamics: Integral Qigong practice I do is reminding me of how my shoulders are feeling looser and more open, how my posture feels more aligned, how my fascia feels more coordinated and connected and will transfer better movement on the rock. You can read more about this in How LifeForce Dynamics: Integral Qigong helped me be a better climber

I've been able to increase my once a week climbing sessions at The Boardroom in Chester, to 2-3 times a week thanks to the opening of the fabulous new wall Climbing the Walls that has just opened in Shrewsbury. And while I am cautious and mindful of how I am adding pressure to my body by upping my volume, I'm being very careful about what I climb, so that I stimulate my body to develop and strengthen, not to push it to breaking. This is something I feel is a real step of wisdom from my youthful days. I can enjoy the experience more, without having to judge my performance. I can assess and reflect for development, rather than criticise for failure.

Inspirational climbing over the sea

I also find that my inspiration in the details is much enlivened, I want to look at the technical details of routes, I want to assess the suitability of my equipment, will it enable me to do what I dream of doing in this sunny place. What other considerations do I need to make sure that this is not only an exciting trip, but a safe one as well. So that my enjoyment, as much as can be accounted for, is not going to lead to rash or poor decisions. But I'm excited for it all, motivated for it all, inspired to get to that point and make everything I can, support that direction.

It also allows for a little bit of the excitement to be transferred into the new tech, as you feel your way into the shiny experience of new equipment.

So what does any of this have to do with inspiration and finding the highest aspects of yourself?

It was put so beautifully in the new T2 Trainspotting film. Ewan McGreggor put it so well while trying to support his friend Spud in going clean from heroin. He said that we have to accept that we are addicts, but we get to choose our addiction. So be addicted to something you love, a sport, a project etc.

So I accept that I have an addictive, compulsive personality, but that I can choose what to be addicted to and compulsive about.

So I choose my health, my adventures, my passions for the outdoors, climbing, yoga, Qigong, travel, new experience etc. And I will use them as my passions to motivate, inspire, guide, focus and generally orientate me to a great life.

What I'd like to suggest is that you do the same. Find the thing that makes you want to get up at 6.30am for meditation or yoga, makes you want to choose the things that take you closer to your goal step by step, rather than the cha cha of back and sides away from the goal.

But it needs to be good, it needs to really have value so you don't have an inclination to avoid practice or training. While at the same time being orientated to being kind to you, being loving to you,not beasting yourself or punishing yourself for not being good enough or criticising when you choose otherwise.

You are only really accountable to yourself for this. Only you can make it happen, even if you are employing someone you help the process.

And I'd love you to share note your passions are inspiring your practice and your life. Please comment below and let's have a wall of joy.

Climbing above the city