By Lisa Manterfield
Ever since I was as young girl besotted by the weekly children’s program “Record Breakers”, I’ve had a dream of making it into the Guinness Book of World Records. I’d fantasize about some of the crazy things I could do, given that I wasn’t born exceptionally tall or flexible or fast.
As the years passed, I let go of this childish fantasy and got on with life, but last year, in the middle of re-evaluating my life and setting some fun goals for myself, I created a Bucket List. Along with becoming a New York Times Best Seller (currently working on this) and growing my hair long one last time (working on this also), I included “Be a Guinness World Record Holder” on my list. Then, last summer I got the chance to go for that goal.
I attended the World Domination Summit in Portland and participated in the Great Namaste, an attempt to break the record for the world’s longest yoga chain. You can see the video of the event here.
WDS 2014 | The Great Namaste from Chris Guillebeau on Vimeo.
We succeeded in beating the existing record, but we still had to wait for verification from Guinness. Four months later, we got the news. We did it. I was officially a World Record Holder. And to prove it, I could order (for a small fee) a certificate of accomplishment.
I was so excited at the prospect of have my World Record Holder certificate, but as I sat down to place my order, I had a thought. “What’s the point? What am I going to do with this certificate?”
If I were a mother, I’d do it for my kids. I’d be excited and proud. Maybe my kids would have taken me and my certificate to Show and Tell, where I could have shared what I’d learned about setting and achieving goals, no matter how far-fetched, and about the importance of making life fun.
But I don’t have that.
I sat there imagining my certificate arriving. Maybe I’d show it to Mr. Fab and maybe he’d be appropriately impressed, but then what? Would I frame it and hang it on my wall? Or would I stuff it in a drawer and forget about it?
I almost canceled the order, but then I thought, “Sod it!” I don’t need to do this for anyone else but me. I’m proud of me and that’s enough. Yes, maybe it will get stuffed in a box, but maybe when I’m old I’ll look back fondly and remember that day. Maybe whoever gets to rummage through my stuff when I’m gone will find it and be surprised. Who knows? And who cares?
I remember writing somewhere once, “I’m not dead; I’m infertile” and I need to remember that mantra. Just because I didn’t have children doesn’t mean I don’t still get to have a life. And when I look back on that life, I want it to be full and amazing—officially or otherwise.
Congratulations. Lisa! I’m glad that you remembered that your accomplishment was worthy of celebration too. All too often I have found myself caught up in that ‘What’s the point?’ way of thinking. The holidays tend to bring up those thoughts. But every year, I decorate and get in the spirit for myself (and hubby too). Thank you for being an inspiration and reminding us that it doesn’t have to matter to anyone else. The things that are important to us should be enough reason to celebrate them.
Many congratulations on your achievement and I care! Thanks for sharing 🙂
You brought tears to my eyes. Society has led us to believe we are worthless just because we heave not contributed to the population count. But irrespective of whichever way they define its; infertile, childless, childfree… We are worthy! Worthy of love, pride, kindness, acknowledgement and consideration. We are worth above everything else of our own love and compassion. If I had children I would love them above everything and everyone else. But no don’t have children and therefore I have to learn to love myself before everything and everyone else. As selfish as it may sound, this was my resolution for 2015. I love me! Charity begins at home this year. As for achievement, well done, be proud of it, frame the certificate… It mattered to you, it was a dream and You made it happen!
Well said Fiona!
I love this post! We need to be kinder to ourselves… this is a lesson I need to learn and implement! 🙂
Yay, Lisa! “I’m not dead, I’m infertile.” I think we need that on a fridge magnet or something. 😉
I second that!
Oh, to be certified and officially amazing. Congratulations!
Take a photo of the certificate, print it on a T-shirt, and wear it when you go to yoga. (I wear my Nanowrimo Winner T-shirt to the gym.! It means nothing to anyone but me. But I’m proud of it!)
WOOOOHHOOOOOO!!! CONGRATULATIONS!
Yes, sod it indeed! Here’s to embracing our accomplishments! And I love what you say about not being dead he he he…
Congrats!! That is so awesome and you earned that certificate.