A Polio Story of Perseverance, Passion, and Purpose

Small acts, when multiplied by millions, can change the world. For Lynn Campbell, a young woman living in Oklahoma, the small act of kindness came when an anonymous donor paid for her to receive art lessons in a most non-traditional manner. Lynn could only use her mouth as a result of the complications from the disease, polio and living in an iron lung. Lynn’s story of perseverance, passion, and purpose inspired and touched many lives while she was alive and continues to have an impact well beyond her lifespan.

Upon learning of her disease, Lynn dropped into hopelessness as she planned her suicide. After an unsuccessful attempt, she decided to look at life differently trying to find small glimpses of joy. Through this initial perseverance, she discovered painting, an outlet where she could process with each brushstroke the frustrations, joys, and emotions of trying to make sense of the events in her life. After the kind generosity of an anonymous donor, Lynn went on to become an accomplished artist with oil painting, an art teacher, an author, and an inspiring role model for others.

Polio eventually took Lynn’s life in the 1980’s but it never took her spirit. She felt blessed with the opportunities in her life and she passionately lived each day with gratitude and purpose. Through sharing her story, her life, and her talents, she inspired many to seek the infinite possibilities, to give back, and make a positive impact in the world.

By sharing my intent to climb Kilimanjaro, I received the touching gift of Lynn’s story from my mother-in-law, Lynn’s cousin. Lynn’s artwork and memory spans the walls of my in-laws home in Texas to the Oklahoma building in Washington DC. And her legacy of perseverance, passion, and purpose continues in far reaching ways. Just as she leaned into the trials of life with polio and discovered new meaning for her life, we can lean into life’s challenges and discover new possibilities. Climbing Kili will surely present the challenges of an enormous mountain and I will carry her story with me as I climb.

Please join Rotary and myself in putting an end to polio! Click to conveniently and securely donate online: http://rotary7680kiliclimb.org/index.php/climbers/4-debra-corbett

Complete the sentence ________.

What was the last thing you completed? Perhaps it was a crossword puzzle, or the weekend “to do” list. Maybe finishing a marathon highlighted with a deep sense of accomplishment considering the hours of commitment, sweat, and training. Regardless of how big or small the task, a sense of accomplishment nurtures confidence, satisfaction, and feeling successful. Webster defines “complete” as fully carried out; brought to an end; having all the necessary steps or parts. Completion requires commitment to self and often commitment to others.

Would you consider accepting a paycheck and never depositing it? Or dialing a number partially and expecting to communicate? I am reminded of an example of creative discipline when in response to a teenager choosing to fulfill their school, homework, and home responsibilities half way, the parent drove the child halfway to the movie theater and stopped. Of course, the parent told the child they would drive them to the movies and the child assumed that meant the complete route. The parent chose a brilliant example to illustrate the integrity, implied trust, and the domino effect of completing an obligation and fulfilling responsibility.

In life, I often hear the debate between which is more important… the journey or the destination. And I believe both are completely and comprehensively important. In the journey lie the steps. The steps of failure and success, the steps of fear and courage, the steps of choices, learning, and growth. Without the steps, the destination would not happen. Life is a journey. And within the journey of life, we purposely set goals with ourselves, our children, our jobs, etc. Destination culminates with completion and accomplishment honoring the process from start to finish. I encourage you to complete the sentence… This week, this month, and/or this year I commit to finishing my goal of _____________. Enjoy!

Choose Action: Open the Fences of Labels

Your mindset is what you make it and does not depend on a diagnosis or label to prescribe the fixed limits. We live in a world of diagnoses and labels… ADHD, depressed, gifted/talented, bipolar, extrovert, introvert, winner, loser, and the list goes on. To a degree, your experiences and all that you are create who you are, but it does not dictate who you are. You have very specific opinions about things that closely resemble your own experiences. Regardless if your experiences are positive, negative, or neutral, you have the freedom to choose how they will show up in your life and how much emphasis they will carry into your future.

Sometimes, people are given a diagnosis or label by others as in the case of school testing or doctors’ diagnoses. And even then, you can still choose how that will play out in your life. How many times have cancer survivors beaten the odds? What about those who were told they will never walk again and surpass walking to adopt a habit of running? There are many ADHD CEO’s out there! These people refused to subscribe to the limits of labels. A label might explain why something is more difficult and can help create an efficient life plan. And when used in a positive way, it can also create a springboard for success. Or, it can stifle motivation and create a fenced in box tightly bound by the label. For example, Carol Dweck, in her book, Mindset, discussed how children reinforced for their effort out-performed those who were told they were the best. Perhaps the “best” label constricts motivation to continue growing? Perhaps focusing on "doing" rather than what is "done" motivates growth?

Think about the labels you have for yourself, either prescribed by others or self-prescribed. I am ______. Write them down. Look at them and make intentional choices as to what you will carry with you this year. Tear down the fences so you can carve your own path.

New Year's Resolutions: Goals, Values, and Things "Too" Do

The new year is a valuable time to refocus on life and set new goals. What you choose within your life scope is completely up to you. However, when you align your values with your goals, your chances for success increase dramatically. What are your values? You might start by looking at your checkbook and see how you spend your money. Or perhaps do a daily time log and see where you spend your time. These external indicators can help clarify what you might value outside of yourself.

What about internally? What are the core values that set the foundation for who you are so much that if they were taken away, it would no longer seem like you? What attributes or values are thematically woven through your personal life, school life, family life, and your business life? Setting resolutions or goals allow us to reflect, evaluate, and plan for what we want. Often times, people use “I should” and “I need to” when in actuality, they do not want to or they lack the belief or faith to do it.

Goals can be defined as process oriented or outcome oriented. Do you want to adapt a healthy habit which is an ongoing process or do you want to complete a marathon? While using both process and outcome are important, you might find that you value one more than the other. I enjoyed talking with another person who, like myself, had a mentally challenging workout today. As I listened to how she struggled with her performance feeling completed defeated with her swim workout, I could relate to my own mind over matter battle with the stair climber. For me, enjoying the music and focusing on the tunes rather than the time proved to be a helpful tool. We both agreed that enjoying the process helped us complete the task for today.

A final note to consider when determining your New Year’s goals is a short “too” do list:
too many- pick two
too unrealistic- make it achievable (either as a process or outcome)
too vague-clearly define with an action plan and write them down
too little faith- believe in yourself

All the best and choose to grow in 2012!