MIND POWER

By Di Westaway


If I am right in saying that thought is the Ultimate Origin or Source, it follows that if we don't do anything about thought, we won't get anywhere"
David Bohm PhD, One of the world's greatest quantum physicists

On Friday night I had the privilege of attending the Australian Himalayan Foundation’s Annual fundraising dinner to raise money for schools in the Himalaya. We were treated to an inspiring presentation by Australia’s top mountaineer, Andrew Loch.
Andrew is the only Australian to have climbed all 14 of the 8,000m peaks in the world; a remarkable achievement. This incredible goal took him 16 years, and taught him how to manage risk and fear – the kind of fear where you truly stare death in the face and watch your mates die from extreme altitude, avalanches and human error.
Hearing this very understated and humble Aussie legend talk of his self imposed challenges and the dangers of climbing above the dead zone, got me thinking about the power of the mind. Clearly, Andrew Loch has focused all his energies on doing what he loves, and at the highest level, by controlling his mind.
We’ve all heard about the phenomenon of “The Secret” which took the world by storm a few years ago. “The Secret” was a world-premier television event featuring the most well-known authors and speakers. They show how by controlling your mind you can have everything you ever wanted – unlimited joy, health, money, relationships, love.
I think we can all learn lessons from these amazing thinkers: Plato, Newton, Carnegie, Beethoven, Shakespeare and Einstein, who followed their passions and lived their dreams.
Thoughts are things. There is no limit to what the power of your mind can achieve. Whether or not you choose to believe it, what you are imagining you are creating and what you can imagine, you can create. Moreover this has been known by eastern mystics for 2,500 years and is supported by quantum physics. It is not our brain that gives rise to our consciousness, instead it is our consciousness, or mind, that creates everything that seems so real to us. Check out http://www.justmindpower.com/ .
It’s also known that when we feel good physically our thought responds accordingly, enabling feelings of optimism no matter what is going on around us. This sense of optimism helps us to cope better with setbacks or difficult situations and people, promotes a healthy pragmatism and allows us to put things into perspective, pick ourselves up from where we have fallen and carry on.
Every day, new studies are released from researchers around the world, showing that exercise, not only relieves negative emotions, but also prevents them. Physiologist Nathaniel Thorn Ph D, a lead investigator and stress physiologist, says brisk walking and interval training burns off stress hormones and triggers the release of feel-good endorphins.
And our Wild Women On Top members regularly email us with spontaneous testimonials confirming this. Here’s a couple of examples:
“Last night was fantastic, everyone was just so inspiring. I was so excited I couldn’t sleep but I had no trouble at work today. I was still floating from last night.” Melissa Berthold, North Shore Group
“Thank you for Sunday .. not only was it a great day to forget all the other distractions, but I lost weight (yes, just one long walk did it) and I can now fit into my favourite trousers which I haven't worn for over a year! Very exciting.” Cheers, Jo Perkins!
“Wild Women on Top has changed my life. I am now happier, fitter and 15kg lighter!” Fiona Toghill
So, if you want to live the life you love and love the life you live, make sure you make time for brisk walking, every day, and practice controlling your thoughts. Your walking will get those endorphins kicking in, and then you need to consciously focus your attention on giving and receiving love, helping others and being grateful for all that you have.
Andrew Loch and other inspiring figures around us who overcome the odds and achieve greatness prove that if we truly follow our passion, we can achieve anything. Eighteen months ago I ended a dysfunctional relationship and entered the world of single motherhood with three children, running Wild Women On Top from the sun room of my home. Close friends told me to get a real job. The accountant said the same.
But, I knew I had to follow my passion of empowering women through Adventure fitness and seeking out opportunities to make a difference. I am doing what I love and I am surrounded by amazing women who share that dream. Director, Lisa Marshall also shares this vision and is an inspiration to us all.
Wild Women On Top is a community of women, dedicated to positive thinking and changing lives. I thank each and every one of our members who has supported this culture and made it possible for me to follow my dream, live a happy meaningful life, provide for my children and, hopefully raise $1million for the Fred Hollows Foundation through the Wild Women On Top Sydney Coastrek. Enter on 20 Sept and DON’T MISS OUT!