I have used my handwriting skills, really my lack of them, as an analogy for various parts of my life that I need to improve. Its much easier to talk about that than to detail my short comings in other areas of my life. My poor handwriting skills are as easy to spot as the baldness on my head, obvious to everyone. My confessing to poor handwriting serves as a confession to numerous deficiencies in my character that may or may not be as noticeable.
When I mention I need to work on my handwriting you can substitute an infinite number of hidden short comings or flaws of character that I am, or hope to address. Learn to be more respectful of my spouse becomes “be more deliberate and careful with that handwriting”. Take time to make my signature readable is an analogy for “taking time to pray for others”. Better handwriting is “more upright living”, or “stop that bad habit”. If you have read my posts you have seen that symbolism. “My handwriting” is simply a placeholder for a number of things I should change in my life, things that are obvious to me. I don’t want to list them for you to read or for a future employer to find, so “bad handwriting” is always my current struggle, my current sin. Its hard to improve my handwriting as I have 60 years of muscle memory to overcome. Its just as hard to improve where other bad habits have become entrenched, but not impossible.
Recently I had the opportunity to listen to, then meet Erik Weihenmayer. Wikipedia describes Erik as an athlete, and he is that for sure. A former High School wrestler that in adulthood has climbed grand mountains, scaled high cliffs, and kayaked several world class rapids. In 2002 he became 1 of only 150 mountaineers at that time to have scaled the 7 Summits (the highest peaks on each continent), including Mount Everest. I saw Erik as he was the speaker for a recent event I attended. Wikipedia describes him as a motivational speaker, and he is that for sure, I am would wager the audience I was in was not the first to give him a standing ovation. I will not forget his explanation of the Kayaking term “line”… the path through. Wikipedia lists him as an author writing at least 3 books, one of which I picked up mostly to share with my brother as I wish for him to hear the same stories Erik told. Lastly, Wikipedia says Erik is a philanthropist, starting an effort called “No Barriers” helping those with disabilities learn to find success in outdoor adventures, like rock climbing, down hill skiing, mountain climbing, and kayaking. Enhancing their confidence, over coming their fears, and reestablishing a can do attitude in those that have become disheartened by physical challenges or disabilities is how I would describe his work.
As for achievements I have not accomplished as much in my life. Too fearful of heights and pain for the athletic activities in which Erik is so accomplished. I have had some small successes. My athletic achievements are limited to slow biking and slower running. I really have no fear of speaking in front of groups but have no real achievement that would make me into a motivational speaker. No grand story to tell. I haven’t written that inspirational book, just a blog with very limited readership. However, Erik did challenge me not to mimic his accomplishments, but to put off barriers that keep me from doing and attempting. He taught me that crawling up a mountain maybe slow and lack the grace of a seasoned hiker yet overcoming barriers is the real measure of success. He taught me to press on that no matter how small my goal seems to you, it may be important to me. He reminded me to participate in life, to attempt, to experience, to enjoy regardless of today’s barrier.
Then we get to the most inspirational part of Erik’s story, his philanthropy. I would like to use the word ministry. As he talked of their effort to help others it dawned on me he gives something more precious than most realize. He is giving of himself to help others. I am busy, I possess my life, its mine! I am somewhat selfish with my life. He willingly shares his. His example of sharing of himself is inspiring and worthy of duplication. Erik shares what he loves and helps others do what he does. This is a theme I am learning elsewhere in my life, engaging others by sharing what I love. Erik loves the outdoors so he invites others to share that with him and in doing so they learn to hike mountains, scale cliffs, ski and kayak. They also learn import life skills and lessons that go far beyond the physical achievement. I like slow runs, country bike rides, house remodeling, and drinking coffee, I should learn to share that with others… while sharing more important lessons.
Erick’s students and friends learn to do things many would say to them they can’t, as like Erik each has a physical excuse or barrier. Erik had to overcome a barrier called blindness, he scaled mountains, kayaked rapids, totally blind. He is teaching others they can overcome similar barriers simply by sharing his time and love. I have barriers that I could use as an excuse to prevent me from helping or teaching others.
I stood in line waiting for Erik to autograph his book for me. I watched as this accomplished blind athlete, speaker, author, and philanthropist wrote my name and signed his. I watched him hold his marker carefully, his hand making deliberate strokes. I watched with a little morbid curiosity, how does a blind man sign his name? First my name, then his signature. Yep! His handwriting needs some work. Sadly, not as much as mine.
I have some serious work to do. 
David
