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18 Days to go: Our "Day of Inspiration"

18 Days to go…..

Nick here. Today is the day after one of the biggest days of the year for our family. Yesterday, together with a number of other colleagues and friends we ran a leadership seminar entitled ‘A Day of Inspiration’. The day was our major fundraising event for our walk and we had spent most of the year preparing for the event. The day was a huge success primarily because of the commitment and contribution from some brilliant speakers and a committed audience. One of the beautiful things about doing these things as a family is that your kids constantly keep your feet on the ground. It was yesterday morning and we were busy finalising our talks for the seminar and packing some last minute items. The builders were on site doing some work to our house, trucks in the drive and Gus decided to head outside walk up our driveway and took great delight in taking off his pants and squatting to deliver up his #2’s. Yep anything can happen at anytime with Gus!

We eventually cleaned up Gus, and the driveway and headed to the Frankston Arts Centre to put on our day. When we initially planned the day we hoped that we might be able to attract 30-40 people to attend, we ended up closer to 90. The day commenced with our MCs Ron Kandelaars and Kate Harry opening the day. I was the first speaker and shared with the crowd that I was dedicating the day to a very good mate of mine who passed away this year, Tim Johnson. Tim was an incredibly inspiring leader and anyone who met Tim would understand what I mean. He lived the quote – ‘you choose your attitude’. I couldn’t think of a better way to honour my mate than to host a day of inspiration. I talked further about the previous projects we had funded including funding for a children’s home and school in Chennai India, funding for a home for orphaned girls in Cambodia and school projects in Kenya and Afghanistan.

The next speaker was a powerhouse of an individual, Paul Hameister. Paul shared with the group his experience as he set about to climb the seven summits culminating in his conquering Mt Everest in May this year. Paul demonstrated absolute dedication and commitment to his preparation and explained in detail just what it took to be able to complete this mind blowing feat. He also shared with the audience just how treacherous this can all be and the narrow escapes he personally had experienced leading up to his climb. He also shared with us all how he had been able to raise significant funds for a range of important initiatives including a childrens’ home in Nepal. Paul was an incredibly motivated and inspiring individual. After Paul we enjoyed a presentation from Kate Save, Nutrionist and Dietitian. Kate shared her story of walking the kokoda trek to raise funds for a friend with a very rare illness. Kate’s story took people on the journey of why she did the trek, how she went about preparing for it, what she experienced on the trek and left the group with an invitation to join her again next year if they were interested, which I know several people were.

After the explorers we were fortunate to be joined by three senior leaders doing inspirational work. Natasha Miliotis from MIFSA in Adelaide shared with us her simple yet powerful adage that if people are bursting through the door everyday excited to get to work that everything else would follow. She shared many experiences that dedicated her commitment to learning to be an inspirational leader through the experience she gets working with her staff and stakeholders at MIFSA. After Natasha we listened to Susan Barton founder of the Lighthouse Foundation who shared where her relentless commitment to children stemmed from. Sharing many personal stories and some confronting statistics about the level of abuse still being suffered by Australian children was incredibly moving to all in the audience. She challenged the audience to consider how this can still be happening ‘on our watch’ and it was time for change. Many people were both challenged and moved by Susan’s presentation. After Susan we enjoyed the powerful storytelling of Di Mason from ChildFund Australia who shared her stories of her experience with two beautiful families from Sri Lanka. Di’s very personal account of the families she met and what was important for them and their commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for their children despite many obvious hardships. Di was able to relay firsthand the value of the support and training these two families had received from ChildFund and how this had supported them through the ongoing difficulties they were encountering. These three presenters were highly impactful.

After lunch we changed gears a little and heard from three inspired women doing inspired things with their lives. Firstly Julie Paterson from Cloth Fabric shared where she draws her inspiration from for her beautiful design and how she had integrated her vision for he life into her life. Julie also set the audience the challenge to note down their thoughts and idea in words and pictures on the paper tablecloths on the tables which she then committed to taking away and turning into a beautiful product which people could purchase in memory of their day. Next on the agenda was Deb Kandelaars who is a first time author and who has just had her first novel published. Deb shared a very personal story of how she found the courage and the determination to write her story and then what it took to then have her work published. Deb inspired the audience with a personal read of the first chapter of her book. We then heard from Rose Kentish winemaker with Ulithorne wines. Rose shared her story of courage and determination as she and her family constantly challenged themselves to dream and then follow their dreams and the many challenges that families face in aligning the many dreams they create. Julie, Deb and Rose were beautifully natural speakers who were able to demonstrate how their passion translated into a core part of their lives.

After a break we were joined by Craig Biddiscombe of Leading Teams. Craig shared the story of how the Sydney Swans AFL team turned themselves from a self described soft and undisciplined team to the premier team in the competition. Craig shared his observations of how the team worked together to determine their trademark and behaviours and how one particular leader Brett Kirk provided strong leadership to support his team through this difficult transition. We then had our MC Ron Kandelaars provide an insight in the world of the media and shared some key tips and techniques for a successful media interview. Nobody can engage the audience interactively quite like Ron and in his 30 minutes he had the audience laughing and enjoying the inevitable challenges of conducting a positive media interview.

The day ended with a very special presentation to me and as I later found out to everybody else in the audience too. My beautiful and courageous wife Bec Petrucco, together with our two amazing girls India and Maggie inspired the audience as they shared the details of our family’s commitment to raise awareness and funds for vulnerable children in India as we walk from the West to the East coast of India. All three spoke beautifully and demonstrated their strength, commitment and determination in making a difference in the lives of children. I couldn’t have been prouder of my three girls as they stood and shared their own thoughts about what we are doing together as a family.

The day that had been so many in the making was over. I finished with a few words of thanks and shared the poem ‘our greatest fear’ which reminded me of my mate Tim and encouraged people to find a way to translate their inspiration and passion and letting their light shine. It was a huge day and by the end of it we had raised approximately $35,000AUD for a range of critical projects for disadvantaged children in India.

As I reflected on the day it once again reminded me of just how much people want to give. They just need a vehicle to channel their intentions. Every person who I spoke with after the seminar shared with me how the day had got them thinking about ways that they could make more of a difference to things that mattered. I am so excited about the fact that not only did we have a great day and honour my friend Tim, not only did we raise considerable funds for our projects but importantly we got people thinking, what an incredible day.

I just want to say a huge thankyou to everyone who contributed to making this one of the best days Bec and I have ever experienced. It was such a huge injection of support and confidence in what we are looking to achieve and to know that so many people are there with us all the way was very inspiring. Today Bec and I have a wonderful sense of calm resolve about our efforts to date and the challenges that lie ahead, it is a great feeling.

18 days to go and we can now focus our energies on our final preparations for our walk.

7 Weeks to go!!

7 weeks to go……

So here we are Bec and I starting to realise that we are really going to walk across India. In many ways it has been a bit of a dream, something we always knew we were going to do but the reality of what we were signing up to was far enough away not to play on our minds too much. We have had the inevitable ‘oh crap’ moments when one of us says to the other – are we insane? But other than that we have been pretty solid, or at least Bec has. She is after all the rock and she keeps me looking up and ahead. So 7 weeks out where are we at?

We have a draft route planned, we have a few bits of accommodation booked, we have organised our shoes and our packs (with a great hit to our family budget), we have our flights booked and we have our fundraising organised. We do not yet have our final trip budget finalised, our car & driver support vehicle organised, much of our accommodation has not been finalised and our clothing has not been organised. I am somewhat overweight and perhaps not quite in the physical condition I would have liked to be at this point in time. My hips, knees and ankles are screaming out for a break regularly and I just hope that all joints will remain intact for the walk. Bec reminds me that after 6 weeks walking across India I might get down to my ‘fighting weight’. Bec looks great ofcourse getting around in her new training pants and looks a million bucks. Indy is super fit and training for some type of sport every day and Mags and Gus are opting in and out of physical preparations depending on their moods and what is on the television! My walking partner ‘Big Nick’ has been regularly practicing his long walks and has his new shoes for the trip. My sister Kate has lost 12 kgs in preparation and both have their personal trainers whipping them into condition. Mum has had her partial knee replacement and racing against the clock to build in enough condition for her to participate to her potential on the walk, there is plenty happening.

This walk is a major undertaking for all involved, hence the term we have used for our walk the Big Hairy Audacious Goal. Many of the challenges involve the preparation and planning. In many ways the walk will be the icing on the cake. Leading up to the walk we have committed to raise at least $30,000AUD, speak at as many functions as we can to share the story with others, support the walk team to get organised and work in partnership with ChildFund ensuring each of us meets the others’ expectations. The walk is and has been for some time a daily activity for us and each day there are numerous things for us to talk about, plan and do. Whilst doing this ofcourse we continue to raise three kids, run our own business, continue to support other charitable projects we are running at the same time, Bec work as a nurse part time and all the usual activities involved in life and families.

One of the major events leading up to the walk is a leadership seminar our company is running as our major fundraiser. These events are always a huge challenge for my confidence. That voice in my head that tells me I am crazy, no one will come, you should cancel it and save face, don’t do it. Then when people say no, don’t return my calls, tell me they’re sorry but they’re not interested, that voice starts laughing and says I told you so, I want to climb into a hole and not come out. Then when all seems lost a spark of light, an unexpected show of support, an email from an old client who says they’re coming, a good friend saying they wouldn’t miss it, and little by little the show comes together. To think that we can put on an event that brings together 60-80 people, with 12 incredibly talented guest speakers sharing the stories of their inspiration as a major fundraiser, I am just in awe of the support people show. This will be a very emotional day for us because this is what this walk is all about, bringing people together to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable kids. For us to understand the support that is there for us, the commitment from others to want to be involved, to share in the experience and wish us well. This is the fuel we will need to go and complete this epic adventure.

It is very hard to explain but India (the country) is good for my soul. Having just returned from a couple of weeks there I have to say it reminded me of why I need to spend time there or places like it frequently. It reminds me of what’s really important – not the house, the cars, the lifestyle we have back home but the connection with people, with kids and the sense of being able to use our life to genuinely serve and make a difference in the lives of others. The ability to have an incredible sensory experience and just be and feel a thousand miles away from the many, many trivial things that occupy my time and efforts in the real world.

So to the walk. This walk for me is about a ‘back to basics’ trip to India. One bag, basic clothing, basic food and a journey for the soul. No masks (the ones we all wear when with others), no titles, no status, just walking. Not a holiday, not about a tourist destination, not about how we look, what we wear, not about where we are staying or even what we will be visiting, just about a chunk of time with people I care about walking in the experience that is the Indian countryside. To be lost in our ‘service to others’ and the difference we can make when we dedicate our lives to those less fortunate. I have learnt in my life that to replace my ‘ego’ with my ‘authentic self’ involves the purity of giving to others, living a life of service, this is the answer to happiness, I am quite sure. To as Gandhi said, look in the eyes of the most vulnerable person you can find and ask yourself ‘what is it that I am doing today that is making life better for this person’, we can do this.

I know people have questioned me about why I haven’t been more diligent with hotel bookings and other important details for the trip. I have resisted all of this because this is very much about landing on the west coast of India, looking east and starting to walk. All of the details such as what we will eat, where we will stay and how far we will get we will deal with each day. That is part of the adventure, remaining open to what will be, or not be, it is all there to experience. I guess for a 25 year old backpacker this is just another overseas trip but when you do this with five kids, you parents and a couple of colleagues it becomes somewhat more of an adventure.

Originally this trip was going to be a solo expedition and as the days ensued and I started to share my plan with my family it became clear that this was much more than one man’s journey. That also means that the dynamic of the journey is also very different. Multiple expectations, personalities, needs, interests and opinions. We all know of the best parts of our selves and the worst and India will bring all of them out for all to see and to share.

One of the things I encourage our team to do is to have a few quiet moments to close their eyes and meditate on the vision they have for themselves for this trip. ‘To imagine yourself walking in the Indian countryside with a group of young kids walking along, as you just walk along taking everything in, sitting around at the end of the day sharing our stories of what we have seen and experienced, having some time to yourself just to contemplate the meaning of your life, To take a moment to be really proud of yourself for being so authentic and living in absolute alignment with your values and being a good person, to be inspired by the people we meet and all that they are doing for vulnerable kids in India, to sit together in Chennai and reflect on the amazing adventure we have all had’. Start little by little to meditate on your vision, put your energy here and then let’s go and make it happen. This is all part of setting the vision for our trip.

There is a reason that we have each committed to this trip, it may not be clear just yet what exactly that reason is but I am sure it will become clear. I know for each of us our lives are at a cross roads, not necessarily a bad thing. Which path each of us will take is not yet determined and I see for each of us our trip to India provides an opportunity to reflect deeply on our life to date and our dreams for the future. We hope to share our journey, our reflections and our plans with you as we travel.

To experience this adventure as a family, what an amazing thing we are all doing together. Is it going to be difficult? You bet. Will we have moments of absolute despair? You bet we will. Will we make it? Absolutely. The reality is that the road less travelled is difficult, it is uncomfortable and challenging. I want to encourage all of us to not shy away from the discomfort but to ‘lean into the discomfort’ for the answers lie within. How will each of us show up and how will we contribute to making this an epic adventure for our family? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and 6 weeks after we commence we will all have the opportunity to return to all that is normal, comfortable and routine. To return to our lives, our jobs, our security, our everyday worries, our activities and our comforts. In India it is an opportunity to live a life less ordinary, to create a wealth of memories and experiences for us to share for the rest of our lives.

Finally I just want to say thankyou to my family, they are truly my inspiration, the source of my strength and confidence and they have all been integral in me having the confidence to follow the road less travelled. I know they will be there to support me to face the many challenges that lie ahead for me in my life and I commit the same to each of them.

I love them all very much.

7 weeks to go………..

Our Community Fundraising Projects: "Goat's for Gus"

Earning a living can be tough for all parents. They need to earn enough money to send their kids to school, pay for doctors and put nutritious food on the table every day.
Earning a living in rural communities can be really difficult. Erratic weather is not just an inconvenience, it can mean the difference between a good or poor harvest. In many rural communities, farmers rely solely on the sale of their crops and if they have nothing to sell, they simply cannot provide for their families. No money means there will be no nutritious food for children, no education, no school books, no medical treatment and no hope for the future.
ChildFund has worked with many rural communities to help diversify their income sources and goat farming has proved to be a great success over the long term. However, goats also support families immediately as goats provide milk filled with important vitamins, minerals and protein. Goat’s milk is easy to digest and helps to boost children’s immune systems.
Gus, his friends and family will help provide goats for families in India through this fundraising.

Preparation and Planning...or something like it!

Preparation and Planning…or something like it!

Let me set the scene. Nick and I have just “bought” ourselves some much needed planning time, yes, quite literally. We are paying our almost 13 year old daughter, India, to babysit our 3 year old, Gus and her 9 year old sister, Maggie. The “negotiated” (this really means India tells us how much and we pay it) rate is $10 per hour, but apparantly there is also an additional $5.00 per hour toddler tantrum tax that can be applied, at the discretion of the babysitter! She’s got us over a barrel, but we are really not in a position to argue.

So, Nick and I have just sat down with a coffee to “mind-map” some of the great fundraising ideas we had been discussing when Maggie comes screaming through the dining room, hotly pursued by Gus with 2 pairs of kitchen tongs in his hands, when I call for “back-up”, our babysitter, she informs me that I cant afford the revised bad behavior tax! Ah, you just gotta love kids!

An Epic family adventure begins

On the 6 December 2011 we will be leaving for India to begin our "Epic Family Adventure". Together we will be walking from the West Coast of Southern India to the East Coast, approx. 800km's. Why are we doing this? We are hoping to raise $30,000 to support various children's projects in India through Child Fund Australia. If you would like to learn more you can contact us at BeyondSynergy@internode.on.net
Please show your support by making a donation to any of our team on this page.

You might also consider hosting an event to raise money or just follow our progress and share our story with others.

Thank you!