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I’ve long known for a long time that I can’t leave my mind to wander freely on this expedition. If I do, as I did earlier this week, I focus on each labored step, each cut, each sting and each minute of each grueling hour drags on and on. A day becomes an emotional mountain, a real slog, and the prospect of six more months is somewhat depressing.
But I know this, as I said, and so once I’ve clocked that things aren’t going well I have to actively manage my thoughts. Harder than you might think when you are exhausted and you’ve been walking for nearly two years.
My current method is to see the greener grass from the other side. I.e. there are many people out there who are envious of what I am doing and would trade places in seconds if they could. I just try and see what I am doing through their eyes and I start to change my perspective.
Looking up, seeing the wonders around me, appreciating the bird calls, crazy plant life, and the sheer brutal physical challenge. Before too long I’m singing away quite happy to be in the Amazon. Cho always responds well when he sees this and this lifts him, which is in turn reciprocal.
This may sound ridiculous as it is an artificial viewpoint and am I really fooling myself? The truth is that I just need to stay happy and the expedition goes swimmingly. The negative thoughts are the default ones when walking, but they don’t reflect how I feel about things, they are mind tricks that grasp onto my troubles and exacerbate them as my brain desperately searches for stimulus.
I love the jungle but its fairly obvious that you can have too much of a good thing. The final hurdle of this expedition is mental - and so far I have a good enough grip of it to be in control.
—
Thanks to my friend, Goran Mihajlovic, in Colombia who sent this response to last week’s snake images:
“This snake is an anaconda but really strange looking. For me it looks like a male, they’re thinner and don’t grow that big like females. The colour and the shape of the head is also very unusual.”
I’ve done another video to music but lack of batteries and remoteness stops me being able to upload it. It will be on-line asap - 10 days I hope.
Ed
Great to have a blog us normal non computer geek people can read…..missed not reading the last 2. Best of luck with the mental pressures….enjoy the birdsong !
Ed, sending positive thoughts your way.
Why?
Whenever I think my job is hard, I imagine a viper falling out of a tree and landing on my shoulders, or having to eat a dinner of piranha.
I am amazed you haven’t gone completely batty from having to rely on sleeping pills to get to sleep every night. That alone is enough to cause the blues.
Keep reminding yourself that tens of thousands of people see you as a true modern day hero.
I sure do! It’s a very rare thing these days.
Ed, I read your blog every week. Push on I think what you are doing is fantastic.
Hugo
Hi Ed,
It’s good to know you walk with a positive energy stream. I’m looking forward to meet you in the future, in the Amazon area, England or some other place in the world.
Take care.
Best wishes.
Cornell
Your mental strategies are spot on Ed. Keep going with them and if all else fails you an count 10 blessings before you go to sleep. We all know what our blessings are but we sometimes need to remind ourselves. What you’re doing in putting yourelf in others’ shoes is known to have psychological advantage, though I don’t know the reference. Well done! Hope the bloody leg gets sorted. Much love Tina & John
Hi Ed and Cho
Having followede your adventure since before day one I too have seriously missed the last 2 weeks of bloggs. So glad to be able to catch up with it now.
Keep you’re spirits up.
The end is insight then I’m sure after a while back in ‘civilisation’ you’ll soon be wishing you were back in the jungle!
Lynn
Keep on going Ed!
~Always here, reading, watching… every Friday morning. Which is my day off… it’s one of the first things I do as I grab a cup of coffee.
Stay safe and stay sane… as you have great stories, real realities and education to share and spread for years… to come.
Always,
Julie Anich
Arizona, USA
I recon the sheer physical and emotional mountains you climb each day will eventually add much more substance and inspiration to your book and talks in the future.
Trek on Ed and Cho stay positive and keep singing!!
Pete.
Ed & Cho,
You are almost there and you can do it!
Many of my friends here in Australia are watching and wishing you both the best..and I’m pretty sure Benny Kozel would say well done mate:)
Well done Team…. I have only stumbled across your antics today (23 of March 2010) a couple days after the vernal equinox here in the northern hemisphere. Spring is trying to … well spring.
Where did this idea germinate from Ed and how long did you take to plan such an adventure????
I only wish I stumbled upon this sooner…..7oo odd days of walking you must be fit as a flea….
Kind Regards
simon.
You could be deadlocked in rush hour traffic. Thank Goodness you are not ! Keep trekking and have fun !
always thinking of you.. and keep those songs coming
what a man !! Normality continues.. am meeting Ba for a walk and lunch in the Staff ! lots of love