Hi guys,
The very first thing I’d like to say is THANK YOU.
I hope all of you are doing well after such an amazing weekend.
I felt quite compelled to share my insight from this weekend with you all because when you do the things that you guys did on the mountains; working so hard, putting so much effort and being so passionate, it’s because you are all doing something extremely touching and important in someone else’s life. Of course, I am sure that at times you may have no idea how huge of an impact those experiences make for someone else and I’d like to share what this trip and all of your participation and presence meant for me.
Since I was a child who was born and raised legally blind, my mother always pushed me to live a very complete life; one where I could constantly move forward, live an active lifestyle, full of happiness, never being afraid of failure. She taught me that failure is part of the process, and waking up is part of being brave. Quickly, I learned to face challenges instead of seeing problems. So, those were the kind of lessons that always kept me moving forward. Given this upbringing and a thirst for all that life had to offer, I became driven by adrenaline. I was then passionate about the outdoors and became a lover of adventures, always looking for the next challenge and pushing myself beyond that. However, due to so many different reasons, I started turning onto my career, focusing more on getting my degree in Economics, looking for jobs and being more focused on overall intellectual and professional growth.
Ten years ago, my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, doctors forecasted just six months for her to live, but such a brave woman couldn’t accept such a diagnosis, and she fought for her health for the ten following years; ten years of ups and downs, but still living a fulfilling life and leaving us a tremendous lesson of courage and love of life in the process. On June 2016, she passed away, and this sudden loss triggered an analysis of my own life, and how I was living it. Losing my sight was nothing compared to losing my mom, my biggest influencer. A month following her death, I decided to quit my job as an Executive Banking Recruiter, and I began looking for a career as a Life Coach (I got my certification four years ago,) and Motivational Speaker. This change in lifestyle also allowed me the opportunity to get back in tune with my physical health leading me to get back in shape and to challenge myself at yet another level.
Today, I cannot describe the tremendous feeling of freedom, connection with my essence and with my own mother that I felt during this past weekend. I felt my spirit coming back… I felt like I was alive again full of adrenaline and excitement. You all did something amazing for me. I cannot remove these feelings from my body and soul, and quite frankly I don’t want to; for that I am ever thankful. 
I wish I could spend at least a week with you all again, before this seasons ends, and then look for ways to make the move. I don’t know yet, what, how, or when, but I am sure that something new is coming in my future. All I know, is that you all did something beyond belief and I want you to know it and thank you for it, Mary, Lynne, and Tom.
Thank you all so much!
P.S. Now I can’t stop THINK SNOW!
Cesar Guillermo Baena
February 2017
