There was also Britain's number 1 toastmaster (and 3rd in the world) Erick Rainey with an electrifying presentation; there was Jo Salter, Britain's first ever female jet pilot who shared the problems of peeing at speed when you're a woman in a skin tight one-piece flying suit...and lots more.  And remember the snow on Sunday?  One of the presenters skiied to the SECC from Linlithgow!! COOOL. And the most extraordinary presentation came from Miles Hilton Barber -a 57 year old man whose recent accomplishments include completing the Marathon des Sables - a 150 mile ultra marathon through the 120 degree heat of the Sahara Desert; climbing Kilimanjaro and a few days later joining an expedition climbing Mont Blanc; hauling a sledge 400km across Antatica; participating in an 11 day Ultra marathon event across China travelling across desert and 12000 feet mountain tracks; he has swum with sharks, set a world record as part of a 5 man team crossing the Qatar desert non-stop and unsupported, circumnavigated the world using 80 forms of transport including ostrich riding, swimming 11 miles under the Red Sea and hot air ballooning over the Nevada Desert; he set a British microlight altitude record of 20,300 feet, wingwalked on a bi-plane - and lots more.  In addition he faced most people's greatest fear (speaking in front of a large audience) holding us enraptured with his stories and his humour - with no notes - BECAUSE THIS MAN IS BLIND.  And d'you know what?  He kept on telling us that he told us his story not to impress us, but to impress upon us, that he is an ordinary guy with fears and anxieties and insecurities just like you and me.  Some memorable aphorisms from his speech -

"If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it", "Attitude determines Altitude", "You have to do new things in your life -step outside your circle and make your circle bigger", "You can't be angry and happy at the same time", and "Dream big, make your decision, and write down your plan".

Mike Berry put this event together.  He had a big dream - to bring Inpiration to the people in Scotland.  Want to be inspired? Make sure you attend the next event on October 28th in Edinburgh.  But in the meantime you could go along to the Yes Group  HYPERLINK "http://www.yes-scotland.com" www.yes-scotland.com for inspiration and to meet inspiring people. The next meeting is April 2nd 2.30-5.30pm at the Central Hotel Glasgow where the world  renowned trainer and motivational speaker David Shephard will be presenting.

So here's my challenge to you today.  Do something different, step outside the circle this week.  Do something new - whether it's eating a different breakfast cereal or doing a sky-dive.  And remember - the bigger the challenge, the bigger your circle will grow.  Me?  I am running 2 new workshops this month -The Way of Yoga, and Radiant Joy, Inner Peace - and joining a trek and raising at least £1500 for St Andrew's Hospice in Airdrie by September. Any good fund-raising ideas??

Hope to see you soon - especially those of you who keep telling me you intend to come to a workshop - but haven't made it yet!!

Much Love

Stan