‘Be happy in this moment, for this moment is your life.’
I love this quote by the Persian mathematician and philosopher Omar Khayyam. And on Christmas eve, after six days of hard hiking, I said it to myself over and over again as I struggled to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
I wrote recently that 2015 had been a momentous year for me – completing the Lyric Hammersmith’s Capital Project, swimming the English Channel and now I can add to that list climbing the highest mountain in Africa. What I didn’t say is that this year, in spite of these triumphs, I have also been through some of the toughest of times.
As I climbed Kilimanjaro through the night, reaching the top as the sun rose bathing the snow-topped mountain in the most beautiful light, there was no better reminder that however hard things get, you have to try and be happy in every moment because every moment is your life. It might not always bring you the things you want, and sometimes it takes away the things you have, but there are always ways to find happiness. And what this year has taught me above everything else is that it isn’t just about getting to the top of the mountain, you’ve got to let it accompany you all the way up. But when you do get to the top, it feels great. It really does.
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Wonderful smile – well done, Channel Swimmer!
Thank you, Channel Team Mate! Much love and snow, Jessica x
Well done Jessica this is an amazing achievement. I also think you are amazing & inspring. You are so true in what you say, we have to find a way to enjoy the life we have, which as we all know is hard when we can’t have want we want but life is so short. Anyway on a happier note Well Done you!! 🙂 xx
Thanks so much, and I totally agree. It isn’t always easy but you’ve got to keep trying because, as you say, life is so short, too short! Here’s to a great 2016 for us both. Jessica x
Go Girl…..enjoy your achievements. They are greater than some others will have in their lifetime and you should be so very proud of yourself. Roll on 2016 ♡♡♡
Roll on 2016 indeed. I better start planning! Jessica x
Congrats. What an accomplishment! I appreciated this post in so many ways.
Thanks so much Jen. Here’s hoping it’s a great 2016 for us both. Jessica x
Moon Landing next? :))) You look very happy, as you should with such an accomplishment under your belt. What a year!
As long as you’re coming with me – walking on the moon has got to be the kind of walking you like! All my love Jessica x
Well done Jessica!!! Fantastic! Can’t wait to see what you do in 2016! Xx
I can’t wait to see what I do too. I’m developing a taste for challenge! Hope you’ve got some great plans for the year ahead too. Jessica x
Thanks Lesley. Loved your blog this week even though I can’t help myself with the resolutions! Jessica x
What a great achivement ! Well done Jessica. I think I am going to put this on my to do before I die lists! I hope it will not be just a dream but reality for me too one day. Well done Jessica. Well done.
I hope it becomes reality for you too. It was an amazing adventure. I think I’m going to have to swim a sea and climb a mountain every year now! Jessica x
Congratulations! I hope you are happy, safe cozy after that climb. Amazing. x Jamie
Lovely to hear from you Jamie. Yes, safe and cozy and planning new adventures of course. Hope all is well with you Jessica x
Well done!! Beautiful picture. Best wishes for a new year full of happiness, calm and new exciting adventures! xx
Thank you, and you too. Exciting adventures, yes please! Jessica x