In March of 2006 I was invited, by my primary business partner, to hike the Incan Trail all the way in to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. And the entire experience was rich with challenges that really pushed me in ways I hadn't really prepared for, or so I thought.

The entire walk was about a 45 kilometer hike, with elevations averaging from 8,000 -- 12,000 feet above sea level with a summit in excess of 14,000+ feet. On the second morning, we faced a very real challenge. We were to ascend approximately 1100 meters in about 4 or so hours in order to stay on schedule. With the elevation realities and the fact that I was still carrying an extra 20 pounds compared to today, I received a gift that I wasn't expecting.

During the final ascent of the morning, in the last few hundred meters left to the summit, I reached a place where all I could focus on was one step and one breath at a time. Then, after a short pause, I would take another step and another breath. Each step, each breath was unbelievably challenging for me. All I could focus on in the next moment was another step and another breath, then another step and another breath. Another short pause in an attempt to catch up with my heart's rhythm, then I'd take a deeper breath and another step. I was sweating profusely, even though I was covered in layers to deal with the lowering temperatures of Fall in the South American mountains.

I continued this pace, step after step, breath after breath, wondering if I'd ever make it to the summit. Then, in a moment of literal transformation, a gratitude swept through me like a gentle breeze off an ocean's current on a summer's day. The feeling of gratitude so overwhelmed me emotionally that I began to cry tears of joy and laugh, out loud, in spite of the pain. I smile now in the memory. The gratitude arrived so quickly, causing me to look up to the summit, thinking, “of course.”

And then I remembered.

My life lived, one step, one breath at a time.

My timing, my pace, right and perfect as it is - one step, one breath at a time.

It almost sounds hollow compared to the magical feeling of the moment. It brought me so supremely into the here and now that all doubt of me reaching the summit disappeared. All worry of whether I was first or last was gone. The certainty of that divine moment shines in my heart knowingness, even now, as warm as an everlasting sun.

This one simple moment, in almost complete physical exhaustion, high on that mountain, gave me a whole different taste for what's important in life and what's not. It brought me a vision, guiding me in the way to use my energy, resources and talents. More importantly, the feelings shook awake a gratitude withinasthru me so present that I vowed never to waste my gifts ever again, frivolously worrying about what other's might think about me, or so futilely living my life based upon other's expectations, spoken and unspoken.

From that moment on, I would not give me away to needless self doubt and worry again. I was free. Free to be me. Free to live my life, at my pace, in my unique way, one breath, one step at a time. Something deep, deep inside me healed forever.

It was a gift I couldn't have expected, because until that very moment when it arrived, I didn't even know that it was the very gift I was ready to receive. Nothing has ever been the same since.

No matter whether it is launching my next venture, writing my next book, making sweet love to my wife or playing with absolute abandon with my children, I live now with a joy that simply didn't exist within me before this moment's gift.

I share this simple story with you to remind you that you too are living your life, right here and now, at your pace, in your unique way, one breath, one step at a time. Do what you will to free yourself from other's expectations of you, of your self-imposed limitations and self doubt. Live life with a gratitude that truly becomes your source of certainty, knowing it's always been your way, one breath, one step at a time.

And Celebrate!

In Celebration & Self Freedom,

sk