Kokoda Journey: Inspiration

Inspiration - noun

1. the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something.

What is inspiration? Well for me it was that moment of realising that a family member had gone to war to serve and protect our country while leaving behind loved ones. He headed into the unknown where he could have been killed, maimed or tortured.

This kind of inspiration is what gets an idea into your head and pushes you to take the challenge. Keeping that in mind this is what I have learned this week.....

It's been a couple of months now and while I'm still inspired by my Grandfather sometimes it helps to look elsewhere for new sources.
I thought that reading the Kokoda book and thinking about my Grandfather, Great Grandfather & Great Uncles would be enough inspiration for this whole journey, but no, this became to familiar and I started to lose focus.

I lost focus last Sunday and started feeling a little sorry for myself while trudging up a hill. That mindset changed on Sunday night when we happened to be watching 60 minutes and we saw a story about a young lady who was caught in a bushfire while running a marathon and was burned beyond recognition. Turia is amazing, working everyday to get back to normal life, she has been my inspiration this week while I have been training.

This has made this week the most satisfying, I worked harder in my gym classes and walked the 1000 Steps twice this morning, my body is aching but I am feeling very optimistic about my progress.
So I must say thank you to Turia for sharing her story, she has enormous courage, determination and resilience. As the next few weeks pass I will still think of her and look out for other stories to keep my motivation up - just remember there is always someone worse off than yourself so stop wallowing and get on with it!!!!
If you have time please watch Turia's story and take inspiration from it as I have.
Turia Pitt's story of courage resilience & determination

Dandenongs - Kokoda Memorial Walk, 1000 Steps

The great men in our families
From the list of family members below who served in World War I or World War II, I was lucky to have known nearly all of them. My Mum's Grandfather & my Mum's Father both passed away before I was born.
I have fond memories of my Great Grandfather, my Pa, Jeremy's Great Uncle & my Great Uncle.

World War I
David Smith Tulloch - Great Grandfather (Mum's maternal Grandfather)
Great Grandpa was part of the 3rd Light Horse Regiment and fought in Egypt and then in Gallipoli.
3rd Light Horse Regiment - WWI
First World War Embarkation Roll - David Smith Tulloch
The AIF Project

John Francis Lawless - Jeremy's Great Uncle (Mum's Uncle)
First World War Embarkation Roll - John Francis Lawless

World War II

Frank Edmund Semmens - Grandfather (Mum's Father)

Grandpa was in the Royal Navy and fought in New Guinea.

WWII Nominal Roll - Frank Edmund Semmens

Grandpa - 1944 age 19 yrs

James William Thomas Rothe - Great Uncle (Dad's Uncle)
WWII Nominal Roll - James William Thomas Rothe

John Albert Rothe - (Dad's Uncle)
Uncle John fought New Guinea.
WWII Nominal Roll - John Albert Rothe

John Leslie Stone - (Dad's maternal Grandfather)
Great Grandpa who was from Hamilton, Victoria was a Rat of Tobruk.
WWII Nominal Roll - John Leslie Stone