Thanks to a remarkable Lady

Sometimes a few words of encouragement is the motivation that gives rise to the self-belief we need to move us forward. When Al Humphreys http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/ and I were rowing the Channel in 2009 I got a text early in the morning containing encouraging words from the HRH Prince of Wales. After rowing all night and nearing exhaustion, that one text helped revive me and propel us forward to reaching our goal of crossing the channel.

The same thing happened when I was climbing El Capitan in California with Andy Kirkpatrick http://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com/ and Ian Parnell http://www.ianparnell.com/  I was tired, cold and the climb was grueling and demanding, but then I received a message from Maria Shriver in California.  That kind gesture of support helped me to keep going and reach the top.

I have long admired Maria Shriver and her work on behalf of the Special Olympics http://www.specialolympics.org/ and also in generating support and opportunities for women. She is a remarkable woman that has devoted her life to public service. This past summer I was asked if I would be willing to submit an interview and video to her website. I was deeply honored and humbled to be able to give something back to someone that has long inspired me by her grace, dedication and passion to serving those less fortunate.

Maria asked me to talk about being an “Architect of Change.” I do believe that while we cannot always control the change that happens to us, for example an accident, we can control how we react to that change. Each of us has the opportunity within our own lives to be architects and create something positive and good from the change that has happened to us. Is it easy? No, sometimes it is quite difficult, and often it is a long journey, but we can decide whether to be positive and build something wonderful or not.

I have chosen to take my experience and make something good come from it by founding the British Inspiration Trust http://www.britishinspirationtrust.org.uk/index.html I believe that my role now is to help young people get those pieces of encouragement and inspiration that will help to propel them forward to live their very best lives.

Please go to Maria’s website at www.mariashriver.com and look at what a wonderful job she is doing of inspiring and empowering others. If you get a chance please check out the interview http://www.mariashriver.com/blog/2011/10/qa-phil-packer-founder-british-inspiration-trust-brit and video http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_XCLYL_J6M0 and if you’d like to, do recommend it to others. The more people that learn about BRIT and support us, the sooner we can get the BRIT Centre of Inspirational Excellence built and begin positively impacting the lives of young people.

When people believe in you and support you it helps you to believe in yourself again and to push yourself to achieve. My most sincere thanks to Maria Shriver for her support over two years ago and her continuing support now. She is a remarkable lady.

All my best,

Phil