The Valley Walk and what I learned

It’s hard to believe how far I went.  Now to some readers it may not seem far at all…though to me, knowing my physically well being is not as good as it should be (that is why I am in training for the Disneyland Half Marathon), my mentally state was not all that focused and I had plenty of other things to do on Monday June 21.

I walked for 12 hours and went 23 miles.  Smiling the whole way!

I started out at about 7:48AM PST at the corner of Ventura Blvd. and Lankershim Blvd. in Studio City.  A busy intersection for those of you that know it.   Commuters were parking in the parking lots trying to catch their morning MTA buses to work.  And here was I, setting my watch, checking the little supplies I had on me and putting a smile on my face.  I turned due West and began to walk…not knowing how far I would go.  I had a destination that I would like to achieve = where Ventura Blvd ends at Valley Circle…that was my goal.

As I walked I told people what I was doing, “I am walking across the Valley today.  My name is Maurice DiMino, The Sicilian Mentor. I began this morning at Ventura and Lankershim and walking west until the sun sets. I am doing it for two reasons. #1. The idea of setting a goal AND completing it.  And #2. I believe in Los Angeles we don’t smile enough to one another…so I am passing a smile onto you.  Will you pass a smile onto others today and tomorrow?”

Everyone I spoke to loved the idea.  They wished me well on my walking.  Some of them mentioned that it was true that we set goals but we don’t go about completing them.  And everyone smiled and said that we definitely needed more smiling!

Quick Stats:

12 Hours

23 Miles

3 times hopped the 101 Freeway

5 Gatorades

1 Water

1 Energy Bar 

And miles of Smiles

My goal was to reach the end of Ventura Blvd.  I reached that point at 5:45PM with more than two hours more of sunlight!  I pushed on.  When I crossed over the 101 at Mureau I thought, wouldn’t it be great to reach this area of the 101 where I know this Taco Bell is located. In my mind I knew that this was way out there and that I would never reach it.

To my surprise, when I crossed over the 101 at Las Virgenes, I saw that area of the 101 and there was that Taco Bell.  I was walking west on Agoura Road and finished at Liberty Canyon Road.  A big smile was on my face…not for the Taco Bell…but for something else.  I had exceeded my expectations.  I had gone further than I thought I would.

Have we ever done that before?  Have a limiting thought/belief?  I have accomplished many things in my life but this one was different, special.  I believe it was so special because I “knew” I couldn’t do it and here I just achieved it.

Have goals.  Give your word.  Then take action.  I don’t care how small or big it is.  Go for it.  Today I am a different person.  I set my mind to something and I achieved it…no I shattered it.  I went beyond my limiting beliefs.

I wish you well.  I wish you God speed on whatever it is you want from Life.  Because one of the things I learned on this walk…it is there for the taking.

Ciao,

Maurice