64-year-old Woman Completes 110 Mile Swim Without Shark Cage!!!

Is this just plain crazy or North Star driven, or...perhaps both?! As of this morning, Diana Nyad, is the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the assistance of a shark cage. When she came ashore, she was greeted by supporters surrounding her in waist-high water while cheering her on.

Before walking to an ambulance of her own accord Nyad said:

I have three messages. One is, we should never, ever give up. Two is, you're never too old to chase your dream. Three is, it (swimming) looks like a solitary sport, but it is a team.

It was Nyad's fifth attempt to what she said would be her last try to complete the 110 mile swim. The other times she was forced to stop due to boat trouble, storms, unfavorable currents and jellyfish stings. So, I know if you're like me, you might be recalling that scene from the movie, "Jaws," when the toothy-maw came up from the deep to close around the oblivious swimmer flailing on the surface (gives me shudders, still!). How did the team keep the sharks away? The answer has an Inner Constellation flavor (no pun intended)...Nyad's support team carried equipment which generated a faint electrical field around her, specifically designed to deter Jaws and his buddies. I would definitively agree it takes a team! Here's another little piece of Inner Constellation metaphor--the boat also dragged a line in the water to keep her on course.

OK, so my vote is, Diana Nyad is no crazy lady, rather she's a lady crazed by her North Star. This 64-year-old woman did not allow the obstacles in life (you know: mechanical difficulties, poisonous stings, suck-you-down currents and sharks!) to knock her off course. Might we take inspiration from her life example when confronted with our own challenges to staying the course and keeping our sights on our North Stars? For more information on Diana Nyad's amazing story click here.

If you're unsure of your North Star, or if you know your North Star and wish to launch out on a more solidified course, consider contacting me for a no-charge 20 minute coaching session. Beginning dialogue with you and your North Star is my absolute favorite way to spend 20 minutes in the course of a day! I would be honored to become part of your support team.