Sometimes in life there are times and
moments that make you wonder, ‘What did I do to deserve
this and how did I get to this place?” Whether it
is a good or bad moment, in your personal or business world,
with colleagues, friends or family you stop look around
and wonder. And like with any mountains in our lives, real
or not, often the best approach is ‘One Step at a
Time’.
With CanaTREK’s "Summits of Canada Expedition"
there have been many moments like that for myself over
the years dealing with Governments, Corporations, media
and people in general who thought it was a nice idea and
brushed me aside politely. They sounded sincere, but for
the most part could not hide their scepticism or their
casual run around which usually ended in the same place
with, "Great idea but sorry we can’t help!".
Now with time behind me and years of dreaming, believing
and long days, I can’t help but to look at where
I started. Fortunately, the beautiful part of email and
Microsoft’s Outlook is you can keep your communications
and years later re-read the ideas, thoughts and outpouring
you left in an electronic world. It was March 31, 2005
when I built up enough of my vision that I reached out
with my idea, and the wonderful part is that it was to
the government in Prince Edward Island. I know, I know
that when you think of mountaineering, adventure, drama
and high places that Prince Edward Island is probably
NOT the first place you think of in Canada. True, it may
not have Mount Logan or even tall mountains, but being
the birthplace of Canada, I figured that it would be a
good place to start given the wonderful country we became,
even if it was in 1864. Now, some 142 years later, we
are finding that the same spirit, and the same vision
of a united country, lives and breaths with such incredible
support from the current Minister of Education, the Honourable
Mildred Dover.
It is from this type of leader with an ability to take
the world we are in today and look into the future and
not only see a different place, but a better place for
the very people they lead. I have found this in some government
officials and even the rare corporate owner, but those
who have this visionary and leadership style quickly understand
what the "Summits of Canada Expedition" can
do to change the world we live in. With my vision of many
years ago, we have slowly, through events not foreseen,
ended in a place and time where I do wonder "What
did I do to deserve this and how did I get to the place?".
It is a place where people, governments and corporations
have come together to "Tell Canadians and the world
about Canada – One Step at a Time". We have
truly found a special place where my vision and the Summits
of Canada team are "Revolutionizing Education through
technology and adventure – yes, One Step at a Time".
Next journal entry I want to share with you some amazing
people and how they have impacted my vision, including
the Minister of Natural Resources from Ontario, Minister
Ramsay, Joe Wilson from Microsoft and Jessica and Dean
Pearson from Temagami Outfitters.
There are three words I want to leave you with from Joe,
which have helped me get to the top of many continents
and through many years of developing CanaTREK and the
"Summits of Canada Expedition". Three words
which I live my life by everyday, and which I hope will
inspire you to face your mountains.
"Dare, Risk and Dream"
James
