Follow Scott's Progress

What is the meaning of life? Who bloody knows! I am no closer to knowing even after my adventure. Saying that at 31 years of age I shouldn’t know anyway. However I have worked out this. It is not the destination, it is the journey. I didn’t paddle the Murray to get to the mouth, but I did it for every day, every stroke and the journey. Your life should be the same. Don’t live and plan for retirement, next year, or next week. Live every day for today. Plan for tomorrow, live for today.

 

Life is about living, do everything you can. Don’t tell people you are going to do something – Do it. Wow, Nike got that so right. Just do it. Time is the only thing we cannot buy or control, so don’t waste it. If you want something, to go somewhere or even someone, then do it.

 

I left Albury-Wodonga on the 24^th October. A lifetime on from there I reached Goolwa – it was 11am, 9^th December 2008. I had journeyed for 6.5 weeks over 2,224 km’s, through the heat, the rain, the cold. I spent a week alone in the middle of nowhere, I spent 2 days in hospital, I crossed Lake Alexandrina in a night time 11hr marathon paddle; we saved 2 cows from certain death. I had the physical support of 3 great friends, friends who are even greater now they have shared so much of their time with me. I had the wishes of family, friends and all those who read my blogs and donated to my adventure in 2008. After 6.5 weeks, and after all the work and effort of Kanoe4kids in 2008 I am older physically, but younger otherwise. I am wiser but I still have so much to learn. I am much poorer, but so much wealthier for having achieved my journey. I am so much more alive.

 

I now understand the depth of my character more than I did before. Unfortunately my body has its limitations. As like most people my bank account has its limitations also. However I have not reached the limitations of my mind and my soul yet. Maybe the Nile River will teach me more about that! However in the short term, Kokoda and Everest will certainly test the depth of my character further.

 

To the children of Make a Wish, at least some of you, I have made your wish come true. You got me through every day. With the support of all my sponsors, the people who came to my events, the people who supported Kanoe4kids, we have done this for you. Make a Wish through all of its sponsors and volunteers are doing such a wonderful job and really, truly, creating magic every week. They receive no ongoing government funding, yet they achieve so much, so often.

 

Kanoe4kids is the greatest personal achievement of my life…. So far. Thankyou for sharing my adventure with me. Remember, anything is possible.

 

Scott Matthews

Adventurer