The Kokoda Spirit

The Kokoda Spirit

The Kokoda Spirit is many things to many people. To me it is confronting the brutal facts of our situation and knowing that we will succeed.

It is turning the impossible into the possible; it is coming to terms with our spirituality, religion or our inner belief and feelings.

It is being present for our family, friends and community, allowing time to share and experience relationships.

It is also perseverance and persistence, never giving up, no matter how impossible it seems or how difficult the task. You never know how close you are to success.

It is showing initiative to make the best of a difficult situation, doing whatever it takes to achieve a goal or objective. It is having resilience to carry on when situations become difficult. It is about the ability of the human body to push past its perceived limitations and achieve greater outcomes.

The Kokoda Spirit is also about integrity, keeping your word, not letting your mates, family or others down. The Spirit is also about tenacity to keep going to stick at it and also teamwork, supporting your family, mates and team, not letting anyone or yourself down.

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 Track 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, outnumbered 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.

Our Australian Soldiers retained their faith that they would prevail and win against the Japanese in the end, regardless of the difficulties. They did this by confronting the most brutal facts of their current situation, whatever that may be.

A man is not judged by how long he lives, but what he does with that life. No matter how long or short.

The men of Kokoda have done much with theirs.

Their sacrifice we are forever grateful, their spirit will live forever.

Forever the name Kokoda will be etched in blood of young Australians.

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…
Written by Rob Gear

A Digger of the Kokoda Track.