What is the Kokoda Spirit?

Is it courage, sacrifice, endurance, selflessness, mateship or something else?

I have listened to great men speak, I have read many wonderful books and watched inspirational documentaries seeking inspiration.

For my inspiration is close at hand, the legends of Kokoda, the men who saved Australia, the Kokoda Spirit is contagious.  It will inspire you as well.  When you walk the Kokoda Trail with all its obstacles and challenges you feel the aura and spirit of the young men who defeated an enemy, an enemy who had never been conquered, an enemy that had never tasted defeat, they overcame overwhelming odds and atrocious conditions, out numbered and out gunned their victory was possible due to their trust and respect for each other, their dependence on each other, their ability to never give up, to hang in there when all seemed lost, self belief and strong leadership.

TO WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HEROES, TO WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR BROTHERS is a heady experience, it is an experience a turning point that blows away our preconceived limitations of our physical ability, endurance and reminds us that the human spirit and our boundaries are only limited by our ability to dream and believe.

THE KOKODA SPIRIT

I was which others did not want to be.
I went where others feared to go
And did what others failed to do.
I ask nothing from those who give nothing.

I have learnt to accomplish great things we must not only act,
But also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Patience is the essential quality of man.
There are many paths but only one way.

To whatever path you choose in life be always true to yourself.
If you stand in your own truth you don’t have shame.

I have learnt the power of the mind is infinite while brawn is limited.
There is no glory without suffering, whilst fortune favours the brave
and success is never blamed.

Through exhilaration of victory or devastation in defeat
I have walked through life with my right foot foremost
and kept my nose to the wind and my eyes on the horizon.

Reluctantly I accepted the thought of Eternal loneliness,
should I fail. For the greatest glory is not in never falling,
but in rising every time we fall.

I have learnt we are made wise not by recollections of our past but
the responsibility for our future. What is hidden within will dictate what
will appear on the outside. That which we did not confront in ourselves
we will meet as fate.

I have learnt what we do in life echoes in eternity and our lives and
remembered by the gifts we give our children.

I have seen the face of terror, felt the stinging cold of fear and
endowed the blood, sweat and tears in training.

I have felt the smoothness of technique and skill, tasted the victory in battle.
I have learnt that technique must transcend, so that the art becomes an artless art,
growing out of the unconscious.

I have discovered that nothing is impossible to a willing mind,
for a man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action.
And has developed the confidence of who he is.

I have cried, pained and hoped….

But most of all I have times others would say are best forgotten.
At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of who I am….

An Anzac of the Kokoda Trail.

Written by Rob Gear- A true Warrior

 

 Watch a video about Kokoda Track Heroes - WW2.

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