LESSONS FROM AFRICA

In March, I had the privilege of spending three weeks in Tanzania exploring that magnificent country and learning about its people. In 1971,
at the age of 25, I had lived in South Africa for
a year and the seeds of my love affair with the great Continent of Africa were sown.

But now, I was a sixty year old man on an adventure to stretch his physical limits, and an "inventure" to explore how he might live the rest of his life purposefully and vitally. My companions were nine other men ranging from fifty to seventy with the same objective. They all had proven track records of success, but "retirement" in the conventional sense of the word was not a concept they understood. Our commonality was clearly the desire to stay fully engaged in life and sustain our passion for creating a better world.

Our leader was Richard Leider, one of the world's best known executive coaches, author and
co-author of several best-selling books, including the one on which we would focus during this
trek - Claiming Your Place at the Fire. By day we would hike up to ten miles observing, sometimes within a stone's throw, some of the most amazing creatures ever to roam the planet. At night, around the campfire, we would delve into life's deepest questions. In our journals we would record our insights with the goal of gaining greater clarity about our visions for the future. It was, to say the least, stimulating, invigorating, and inspiring.

Here are just a few of my many lessons:

1. From the exuberance of the African people: The experience of JOY is unquestionably an inside job.

2. From the animals: Ensure that everyday we leave room to be amazed and astonished.

3. From the landscape: The beauty and wonder of nature needs our attention and deserves our protection.

4. From my fellow travelers: Success and humility are a very appealing combination.

5. From my journaling: Happiness is not a goal. It is the result of contributing my gifts and talents to work or a cause I believe in.

6. From lacking access to voice and email: I am not that important. The world will go on without me.

7. From the conditions I witnessed: I am very important. The world needs me. For anyone who steps up and commits to helping others build better lives, leaves a powerful legacy.

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." - Nelson Mandela

 

Special Announcement:
David McNally has a NEW WEBSITE.

Many months being designed and developed, the
new site features excerpts from David's new
promotional DVD - David McNally Live.
Visit us at www.davidmcnally.com today.

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"You exceeded our expectations
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Your inspiring keynote presentation on - How to Thrive Anywhere, Anytime - and your highly informative workshop on
branding - From Different to Distinctive - kept our audience
of lawyers from more than
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