Muril Clift offers this story for keeping perspective:

Most of us live our lives trying to make the best of the surroundings we find ourselves a part of.  We seek some challenges in our work and try to participate in our communities through our children, church or community activities.  Very few will “put it all on the line” to challenge themselves to achieve goals beyond most of our dreams.  Although everything we do daily is the most important thing to us, consider the great adventure of Zac Sunderland.

A week ago this young man age 16 left Long Beach, alone, aboard a 36 foot sailboat for a journey to challenge himself with the ultimate test.  The first leg of his journey is a 4500 mile 5 week sail to the Marshall Islands.  5 weeks alone at sea, testing his physical ability and even greater his mental ability to cope with loneliness and the unknowns he will have to conquer.  From the Marshall’s he plans to continue his quest to sail around the world and become the youngest person to accomplish that goal.  You can follow his efforts online at www.zacsunderland.com.

When you get down or discouraged think of Zac and his minute by minute challenge to stay alive and conquer his internal doubts knowing there is little help for him out there other than his own resources.  Even if he does not accomplish his ultimate goal he will have know he has challenged himself to the ultimate limit and can face any future challenges as man.

Zac’s dream of sailing around the world and his pursue of the dream by putting together the sponsors who are making it happen is an example to all of us.  Although our dreams and passions may not be as lofty as Zac’s I hope he is an inspiration to you to carry forward with whatever you consider your important contribution to the human spirit.

God’s speed Zac.

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