I posted a question on Geoff Thompson’s Facebook page yesterday and asked a question. The thoughts and opinions expressed I think are worth sharing and without further a do – I’m going to copy and paste below…. I think it makes interesting reading and a very male centric response which is more to do with the forum than the question, perhaps.
I’m thrilled to have had my efforts in the Buxton Triathlon featured in an article called ‘Modern British Adventurer.’ They magazine contacted me after I posted on Facebook in my efforts to raise some money to honour the life of Matty Coombes who died of cancer earlier this year, aged 11.
I honestly believe if I can go out and do such things, anyone can. This sort of thing starts just outside your front door.
I’m fed up of reading on Facebook, stupid make you feel guilty, pass it on if you care posts. What a loads of cobblers! But if you can’t beat them… what follows is a famous speech that was dispensed at a school leaving ceremony…
Ladies and Gentlemen… Wear sunscreen
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be
It. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by
Scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering
Experience… I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh never mind; you will not
Understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded.
But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and
Recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before
You and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
Imagine. Continue reading…
It’s been quite a year so far for me. I have transformed myself, losing the best part of four stone, resolving health issues that have hindered me for over 20 years and being in the best shape of my life.
Earlier in the year I became aware of a young lad in the same year and school as my daughter Lucie. His name is Matty Coombes. In July, aged 11, he died, less than six months after being diagnosed with cancer. It was truly sad for all those that knew him. He was such a happy lad in life and battled bravely throughout his illness.
His story was recounted in our local paper and one thing that he said struck me. Matty said that, “Ward 15 of Birmingham Children’s Hospital wasn’t as the nice as the one next door” because of lack of funding. Ward 15 is where he received his cancer treatment.
I wanted to do something about this in Matty’s name and honour his memory.
With my new found fitness I set myself the challenge of doing a Triathlon. It’s this Sunday, 25 September in Buxton. It’s a real race and won’t be easy. I’ve had 5 weeks to prepare. In that time I’ have had to learn to swim front crawl and learn to ride a road bike. Let’s just say the saddle has left quite an impression.
Would you kindly consider to help with raising funds. The funds raised will go directly to Ward 15. They need things like soft furnishings, re-paintingfor the high dependency unit, better lighting. Simple things that make the ward feel more welcoming for children who are very poorly. Can you help?
The details of the event and more about the story and how to donate are here – http://www.justgiving.com/richardbarnes1
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Richard Barnes
by Marianne Williamson from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
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