Hopefully you can’t imagine standing on a freeway overpass and jumping, or know someone who might. Just in case following is an example of how you never know what’s around life’s next corner.
There are many people who inspire me to keep pushing further, pondering what else life may bring. Several years ago I met Ian Usher, you may remember him as the man who sold his life on ebay … house, car, job, motorbike, jet ski … the lot. You may even have bought his book A Life Sold link . He was the first in the recent wave of people selling up everything and jumping headlong into life.
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| thanks to Ian Usher (in blue googles) |
Several years back Ian had been through a bad breakup and found himself literally standing on the Mitchell Freeway bridge pondering life.
He writes about that moment in A Life Sold so I’ll leave that to him.
I first caught up with him after the ebay sale had finished …
Most things sold, although some hoax bids meant the house hadn’t, and so there was still a fairly hefty tied to his old life. It was during this time that a US agent approached him asking what he was going to do next, and suggested that if Ian was wise, it could set him up for life, something to ponder for sure.
Making a list of all the things he’d wanted to do triggered Ian’s next project, 100 goals in 100 weeks link. It was during these 100 weeks that our lives passed several times. Each time I was left inspired, especially after he took time out to help me tick off one of my own goals (maybe I’ll tell you about that sometime). Full details of what he got up to during those 100 weeks can be found at his website.
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| thanks to Ian Usher: Tomatina |
While some of his goals were easily achieved and fairly ‘run of the mill’ like seeing the Grand Canyon; getting a tattoo; climbing the Statue of Liberty; throwing tomatoes at Tomatina; Running With the Bull in Pamplona, or attending the Festival of the Dead … alive thankfully, though after the bulls you can never be too sure. Others could not have been planned …
Like Richard Branson asking you to ride with him on his way to the airport; having your story optioned for a movie, with talks of Brendon Fraser playing you; or finding love again … oh and buying a Caribbean Island (will be covering this in the next post)
Whenever I feel a bit stale I ponder about Ian’s life …
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You never know who might be willing to help, if you dare to whisper your dream and put your hand out for help.
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You never know who might be watching on from the sidelines, being inspired or influenced by your actions, good or bad.
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You never know when someone might step into your life and make your heart sing again.
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You never know what great adventures are just around the next corner.
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How tragic it would have been if Ian’s pondering had taken him in a different direction, and he hadn’t taken hold of his life.
If you know other stories like Ian’s I’d love to hear them and spread the word. There can never be enough stories like this. If you know anyone needing help … contact Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
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Check out new blog today by Ian Usher, featured on Richard Branson’s Entrepreneur online magazine.
http://virg.in/at69c The story of the $10,000 fish and more ….
Thanks heaps for letting me know Vanessa. Always happy to hear what Ian is up to.