My friend Sean Swarner (A Courage Expert) and the Cancer Climbing Expedition are offering a Climbing Expedition/ Safari to Africa.  I told Sean I would share this opportunity with you.  How awesome would it be to spend some time with hero’s who are truly Living In Courage?  Here is a complete itinerary of the expedition, links to Sean’s websites and a video of his courageous journey. This is an amazing opportunity for anyone looking for adventure.

Debra Oakland @ Living in Courage Online

The Poster Reads:

Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 6:00am
End Time:  Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 6:00pm
Location:  Tanzania, Africa
Description: Africa… The very name calls to mind images of breath-taking landscapes, endless savannahs, magnificent animals, proud ancestral tribes and above all… safaris!!

Begin your odyssey into the heart of creation as you venture across hundreds of miles of wilderness, let your mind wander millions of years into the past…see untouched earth and wildlife as you can nowhere else… No other experience measures up to an African safari, unless it begins with an expedition up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The snowy summit, hovering above the plains of this wondrous continent, radiates majesty and awe. The quiet solitude of viewing the world from above the clouds, seeing Africa from its highest point…there’s nothing that stirs your soul like this. Experience the magic of Kilimanjaro and wonder of an African safari in one life-changing expedition!!

Join Sean and the CancerClimber Association as we experience the magic of a Kilimanjaro expedition before celebrating with a beautiful Serengeti Safari. $500 of your expedition goes to support CancerClimber and their programs as we encourage you to raise more for the charity.

Participation is very limited so please reserve your spot now! Those interested please email sean@cancerclimber.org with any questions or to request a detailed itinerary (July 25 – Aug 9 in and out of the country). $5500 (US) includes EVERYTHING but airfare…your 6-day expedition and 5-day safari!!

The first 10 who sign up receive free safari hat and trekking poles. EVERY skill-level is invited to participate!! This is NOT a technical climb, but an endurance hike to over 19,000 feet….

CANCERCLIMBER EXPEDITION

ARRIVAL INTO TANZANIA

July 26 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport.  Private transport from airport to Moshi,

Tanzania to hotel.

KILIMANJARO EXPEDITION

July 27 – Recovery day from flight.

July 28 – Machame Gates to Machame Huts.

The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey

passes through the village of Machame (located on the lower slopes of the mountain). Once we

reach the park gate, climbers are requested to make their final preparations for the climb. Porters

will be seen arranging their packs containing the food, water, firewood, and other equipment.

Make sure that you have all your daypack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The

guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information. We now leave the park gate and

walk through the rain forest on a winding trail.  Lower down, it can be very muddy and very

slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea. We continue until we reach the Machame

Hut. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and sleep. We have now reached an altitude of

3,100 meters (~10,170 ft).  Estimated time:  5 hours.

July 29 – Machame Huts to Shira Plateau Camp.

After breakfast, we leave the rain forest and continue upward, crossing a little valley walking

along a steep rocky ridge.. The route now turns west onto a river gorge at 3,658 meters (~12,000

ft). Time for rest, dinner, and sleep at the Shira Hut campsite. Estimated time: 4 hours.

July 30 – Shira Plateau Camp to Barranco Huts via Lava Tower

From the Shira Plateau, we continue east, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we

continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards the Lava Tower.  Shortly after the tower,

we come to the second junction, which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4,876

meters (~16,000). We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3,860 meters

(12,664 ft). Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and sleep. Although you end the day at the same elevation

as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body

prepare for summit day.  Estimated time: 6 hours.

July 31 – Baranco Huts to Barafu Camp.

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall,

through the Karanga Valley (4200m/ 13,780 ft) where the route connects with the Mweka Trail.

We continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4,600 meters (~15,100 ft). This

completes the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here

we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi

and Kibo are seen from this position. This section can also be divided into 2 separate days, where

an a camp could be made in the Karanga valley. Estimated time:  8 hours.

AUGUST 1 – Summit Day!!

Early morning, we continue our way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,985 meters (~19,635 ft).

This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it

will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with

you. At Uhuru Peak, we have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent

of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our

descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite at 3,100 meters (~10,170 ft). This

part of the descent takes about 5 hours. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose

gravel going down. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-

earned sleep. Beer and soda may be available for purchase at the Mweka Hut — the only place on

this route.  Estimated time:  11 hours.

AUGUST 2 – Return to Moshi.

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it

can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be

good to wear (keep raingear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Mweka

village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time

for celebration and banana beer!  Estimated time:  4 hours.

…we scheduled an extra day for weather, altitude, and other unforeseen situations so the schedule on the

expedition is tentative and adjustable according to appropriate acclimatization…

SAFARI

AUTUST 3 – Early morning drive from Moshi to Lake Manyara.  Afternoon game drive in the

park with boxed lunches.  Dinner and overnight at Lake Manyara (overnight at Lake Manyara

Hotel).

AUGUST 4 – Early morning drive to Serengeti with boxed lunches.  Afternoon game drive

around the Seronera area.  Dinner and overnight (overnight at Seronera Wildlife Lodge).

AUGUST 5 – After breakfast, tour Serengeti with boxed lunches.  And drive to Ngorongoro

Crater.  Afternoon game drive in crater with lunch boxes.  Dinner and overnight at the Crater

(overnight at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge).

AUGUST 6 – Game drive in Ngorongoro Crater.  Overnight at Crater or Lake Manyara

(overnight at either Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge or Lake Manyara Hotel).

AUGUST 7 – After breakfast, drive to Mto Wa Mbu for mini shopping.  Return to Moshi.

AUGUST 8  – Return home via private transport to airport.

Links to Sean:

http://www.seanswarner.com/

http://www.cancerclimber.org/

Amazing to watch – I could not quit smiling! Unsuspecting train riders get a big treat. DANCE TRAIN STATION BELGIUM do-re-mi The Sound of Music – Julie Andrews. What a wonderful way to lift your spirits.

Click on the link Read More for Video.

My friend Chris Cade (Spiritual-Short-Stories.com) just posted an amazing video on Facebook of Susan Boyle.  We have American Idol and the U.K. has Britain’s Got Talent 2009.  I have to say that Susan Boyle’s got courage.  You will get chills watching this.  There is a story to be told here about judging people we know nothing about (not that judging anyone or anything serves us in any way.)  Susan has Big Courage, spark, enthusiasm, humility, humbleness, and some sass.  47 Year old Susan Boyle wows the judges with her performance in the auditions for Britains Got Talent, singing I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.

I was unable to download the video, as it is disabled by request, but please go to the link below to view. The lyrics appear below the video.  I hope you have as much fun watching as I did.  Now go make it a courageous day.

Susan Boyle – Singer – Britains Got Talent 2009

I quote from You Tube 

“47 Year old Susan Boyle wows the judges with her performance in the auditions for Britains Got Talent, singing I dreamed a dream from Les Miserables.”  

Here are the Lyrics -Thanks to NewHotdox 

“I dreamed a dream in time gone by

When hope was high

And life woth living

I dreamed that love would never die

I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

Then I was young and unafraid

And dreams were made and used

And wasted

There was no ransom to be paid

No song unsung

No wine untasted.

But the tigers come at night

With their voices soft as thunder

As they tear your hope apart

As they turn your dream to shame.

And still

I dream he’ll come to me

That we will live the years together

But there are dreams that cannot be

And there are storms

We cannot weather…

I had a dream my life would be

So different form this hell I’m living

so different now from what it seemed

Now life has killed

The dream I dreamed. “

Do you have the courage to think differently. To believe what you know is right, deep down in the core of your being. The people on this video had courage, each helping change the world in their own way. We don’t all have to change the world, but we can change how we react to everything that comes across our path in life. Each one of us has the capacity to be a catalyst for change in our own lives and also to work for the greater good of humanity. How amazing to come together as one voice in the future, to be able to make profound changes for the positive that affect everyone all around the world. We can do it, together we can make it happen. There is great courage in all of us. Make it a great day, Living in Courage. I will be thinking of you.

Michael Jordon tells of his failures and why they presented him with the greatest success. Never quit, never give up your dream, push through every obstacle. Learn from Michael Jordan and all those who have succeeded in life. Make it your job to understand how they used courage to be successful in life.

A friend of mine Marie Louise Steenbjerg, who lives in Denmark sent me an e-mail about Jim Stovall, along with a video from You Tube. Marie Louise heard Jim speak in Los Angeles and said it was very moving to hear his story. I would like to share it with you.

Jim Stovall is blind now, and claims he never read a book cover to cover until he was blind. Now Jim is an avid reader and author. One of Jim’s books was turned into a best selling movie. Now Jim has established a television company with the focus on helping blind people. Jim travels the country speaking to motivate people to their full potential.

When the doctors told Jim he was going blind, he went into denial. In his own words Jim says “I had a PhD in quitting.” In this You Tube video, he tells a story about 4 year old Christopher and how they changed each others lives. This is a true story of Courage and Strength. Jim says to “imagine your big dream and remember it is too soon to quit,” saying that we have the capacity to achieve anything. This video is very inspiring. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you Marie Louise

Last night my husband Cody and I had the pleasure of meeting Scott Rigsby, who’s You Tube video is posted on my website.  Scott was flying into Orange County in California for a speaking engagement and invited us to be his guests. When you stand before a confident man who has achieved the level of success in sports that he has, it is inspiring, to say the least.  I have to say Scott is true to his mission and on purpose.  What an amazing spirit he has, along with a desire to make such a difference in people’s lives.  Scott was speaking about children on stage and mentioned that so many of the children he speaks to, most who have lost limbs, don’t feel unique. Scott tells these children they are unique and special in their own individual way and they love it.

That really made me think about being unique in our own way and that we each have a gift to share that no on else has.  Every one of us has so much to share with the world.  When we stand in Courage, there are very few things we can not accomplish.  Believe in yourself, because you are a unique individual that has value in this life.  Love Life, Live Life-get out there and kick some butt, starting with your own, if that’s what it takes to get you moving forward.  Look to people like Scott who have conquered all odds to achieve goals that encourage you to excel.  Thank you Scott.

Do the gratitude dance every day – it’s fun and people are doing it all over the world. Dancing makes you happy, plus it gets your energy up and focused for a fantastic day. What are you grateful for?
I really want to know. I will start with, I am grateful for every breath I take and every beat of my heart. I am very grateful to my incredible friend Nicole McKinney for sending me this video and suggesting it for your enjoyment.

Scott Rigsby is a double amputee from Southwest Georgia who runs Triatalons, The Iron Man and has set 2 World Records. I was very inspired by his attitude. Scott lives by a simple motto – Do what you can, do the best you can and don’t ever quit. He says you can sit on the sidelines of life or get back in the game. Good words to live by. I call that Living in Courage. Scott says to stay in the game long enough to make something happen. He wants to change the world one race at a time – one person at a time, and to educate the world about prosthetics. I admire you so much Scott. Thank you for encouraging all of us to say no to being defeated on any level. What a great role model you are for others. We will follow your success at Living in Courage, because you represent what this site is about and that is uplifting the human spirit in all of us.