Throughout every person’s life, an
individual may have one or many goals that they set for themselves. There are
many kinds of goals. Whether they are short term, long term or just temporary, the
important thing is that we stay consistent, focused and keep our eyes on the
goal. There are times when attaining a goal may be easy or other times when it
seems like a goal is far, far away and we will never be able to reach it but if
we don’t lose heart and keep working hard, a goal can be accomplished. Today’s
story is a great example of a person who learned from her weakness, became a
stronger, more determined individual and met her goal.
A Story About Goal Setting: The Swimmer
When she looked ahead, Florence
Chadwick saw nothing but a solid wall of fog. Her body was numb. She had been
swimming for nearly sixteen hours.
Already she was the first woman to
swim the English Channel in both directions. She had managed to finish that
swim in a record time, 16 hours and 22 minutes on August 8, 1950. Now, at age
34, her goal was to become the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to Palos
Verde on the California coast.
On that Fourth of July morning in
1952, the sea was like an ice bath and the fog was so dense she could hardly
see her support boats. Sharks cruised toward her lone figure, only to be driven
away by rifle shots. Against the frigid grip of the sea, she struggled on -
hour after hour - while millions watched on national television.
Alongside Florence in one of the
boats, her mother and her trainer offered encouragement. They told her it
wasn't much farther. But all she could see was fog. They urged her not to quit.
She never had . . . until then. With only a half mile to go, she asked to be
pulled out.
Still thawing her chilled body
several hours later, she told a reporter, "Look, I'm not excusing myself,
but if I could have seen land I might have made it." It was not fatigue or
even the cold water that defeated her. It was the fog. She was unable to see
her goal.
Two months later, she tried again.
This time, despite the same dense fog, she swam with her faith intact and her
goal clearly pictured in her mind. She knew that somewhere behind that fog was
land and this time she made it! Florence Chadwick became the first woman to
swim the Catalina, eclipsing the men's record by two hours!
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~ Author Unknown ~
Source: inspirationalstories.com
Photo Courtesy: pozitivliving.blogspot.com
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Note: In addition to writing my own blogs / stories, I also like to search for
stories and other inspiring / motivating / encouraging things from around the
World Wide Web. If you see an article or story that you have written and want
it removed, please feel free to let me know. I do try to give credit to the
people and/or web sites that I find the information when I can.
Great story. Keep them coming. Its great so see a place where all these are kept in one place and better than anything your not selling anything.
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