I love taking my dog for a walk, whether it’s around the neighborhood or to a new park. We’ve gone for some pretty long walks, but nothing compared to what one man has decided to do. Tyler Coulson, an attorney from Chicago working at one of the premier law firms in the country decided he wanted to do something quite different; he wanted to walk his dog across the country.
Not only did Coulson think up a really unique idea, his email to his colleagues was simply: cool. He wrote:
Today is my last day at Sidley. You may keep in touch with me at gtcoulson@gmail.com, through Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/tyler.coulson, or via Twitter,@ibuildnosystem.
Beginning next week, I am walking from Delaware to California with a tent and my dog, Mabel. I will have limited access to email, but will check messages frequently.
What would you do if you received an email like this from one of your colleagues? For many of his colleagues, they were a bit surprised, some pleaded with him not to leave his job, but on March 9, 2011 he began his journal from Delaware with Mabel (his dog), with a plan to make it to California by September.
Long walks are one thing, hikes are another, marathons are liberating, and traveling can be fun, but walking across the country – is he insane? Reporters caught up with Coulson and asked him about his trip thus far. He’s running about a month behind schedule, but is still in good spirits. He’s been amazed at the response he’s received from people along his trip, but is still concerned about how dangerous his trip has been and might be. Despite some set-backs and problems, he still believes that everyone who has the opportunity to take on a monumental challenge like this should.
Coulson says it best: “But all the pain and danger aside, each moment of this trip has been the happiest of my life, and if I make it to the Pacific I may just keep walking forever.” And this is what realizing your dreams are all about. Taking on a challenge you thought you may never be able to succeed in, taking on all odds, and enjoying every moment of the challenge to finally be able to say, you’ve realized your wish.