Jack Ahearn - When Arriving in Estes Park

Myself and Lewis getting excited for our final flight (Chicago - Denver)

What a journey! 

Started out my house about 8.30am UK time.... it is now 4am Colorado time (11am the next day UK time!) as i arrive at Estes Park!
       
Yes i am tired, and yes all sorts of emotions are filling me up and have been for the past couple of weeks. But i am with good friends which changes everything... anxiety turns into ease, and the burning excitement, well thats not going anywhere!
    
You might wonder, anxious?! Going to the World Council?! The YMCA World Council... biggest YMCA event i have ever engaged in! I think that is why... it is so HUGE! So much already prepared, so much more to do and achieve.

What brings me assurance is thinking how empowered i will feel all over again, while empowering other young people. I may be a Change Agent but learning is constant, and learning is sharing not exclusive. Cant wait to share this with over a 1000 participants!
        
Which brings me to the bigger picture! The next few days are going to be overwhelming, seeing old friends, meeting new, learning, experiencing, living and being the YMCA. 

It brings me back to my first international conference in Prague in 2011 for Roots for Reconcilliation. The passion, the excitement, the awe of the scale of the YMCA! It makes me think of the Young People coming from North Staffordshire YMCA with Lewis... what must be going through their heads, we have an idea, but everyones experience with these things are so unique to the person and could inspire a burst of different possibilities when they return home!

I am very much looking forward to a cup of tea, with a nice view of the Rockies pleaseee, and i am looking forward to allowing it all digest!
               
Untill then i will finish this journey with my fellow Change Agents, Lewis and Rachel (Also Robbie, James, Ken, Colleen, Martine and others) - i must admit whom without
the last 8 hours would probably have been un-bearable! With a normal mixture of films, Tetris, Battleships, Joey Essex, hillarious banter and serious video interviews. :)
  
Below is a short video of me and Lewis sharing a discussion on our Change Agent roles coming to an END? while flying!.....Unfortunatly it wouldn't upload, so we are going to keep you waiting, so WATCH THIS SPACE peeps.

Thank you for reading

Jack Ahearn
YMCA Black Country