The power of purpose: A hero knows no handicap

DAVID MCNALLY

Several years ago I had the privilege to produce a film about a young Canadian man, named Terry Fox. Terry had lost his right leg to cancer when he was 18 years of age and at the age of 21 ran the greatest marathon of all time - 3339 miles across Canada in a period of less than five months. Terry, although no longer living, is regarded as one of Canada's greatest heroes. As we begin a new year, it is worthwhile to consider why he was so admired and what we can learn from his efforts. I have identified five characteristics that Terry exemplified and which are common to all successful people.

Self-acceptance

When Terry lost his leg, it would have been easy for him to think of himself as less than a whole person. He could have remained angry at the world for what had happened to him. But he had neither of these reactions. Terry's attitude was that if this was how he was going to have to go through life, then he was going to make the most of it. So, instead of focusing on his disability, he focused on the possibilities.

Terry taught us that we all need to focus on our strengths, not our weaknesses, and to appreciate what we have rather than worry about what we don't have.

Purpose

Before contracting cancer Terry was a normal 18-year-old with thoughts primarily about himself and how to have a good time. His operation, however, changed everything. He knew that one day he wanted to do something to help fight cancer. Terry had discovered a purpose for living. Terry was not an extraordinary athlete but that purpose imbued him with the strength and power to run close to a marathon a day for nearly five months. Each of us needs to know that there is a purpose for our lives and when we discover that purpose we too can harness the same power that was available to Terry.

Vision

One night, as Terry was struggling with what he could in the war against cancer, he had a dream. In that dream he was running across Canada. When he woke up he knew that was what he wanted to do - to run across Canada and raise money for cancer research. Terry could clearly picture himself loping along the wide open Canadian roads. This vision propelled him into 14 months of training until finally, although he was minus a leg, the rest of him was in superb physical condition. We need a positive vision of our futures, whether that be something we are aiming for next month or in five years. Continually creating new visions keeps us enthusiastic and in love with life.

Attitude

When Terry planned his run, he set a daily objective of running 26 miles a day. What he had not anticipated at the beginning were 50 mile per hour head winds, rain and snow. He slipped often on the icy roads. At the end of the first 30 days, it was discovered that he had averaged just eight miles a day. Obviously this was a lot short of his objective. If Terry had given up at that moment, his efforts would still have received wide praise, but he kept going. Why? Terry understood that no matter what we undertake in life, if it is important, obstacles will be put in our way. Therefore, although we may have to give in to the reality of the obstacles, that is never a reason to give up on what we want to accomplish.

Commitment

Terry Fox is famous today and his legacy is that The Terry Fox Foundation has raised over $250,000,000 for cancer research. His run, however, began with just a few people believing in him and many more thinking he was crazy. But Terry exemplified what it meant to make a commitment and to follow through on that commitment. Commitment is doing what you said you would do despite what people may say or whatever adverse circumstances may come your way. Nothing great was ever achieved without commitment and when we look at some of the world's most admired people, Terry Fox, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, we see commitment expressed in all of them.

As you can see, Terry Fox has had a major impact on my life. This quite ordinary young man who did something extraordinary. I hope that what Terry taught me can help you raise your aspirations by realising that you have the power to achieve great things.

David McNally is the author of the best-selling books, 'Even Eagles Need A Push' and 'The Eagles Secret'.

His website is www.davidmcnally.com

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