Since releasing the ’100 Things’ book on December 1st, 2011, I must have received well over a thousand emails from readers, all of whom I’m glad to share had very nice things to say.

I won’t go into the specific details as many of the emails I receive are of a very personal nature, but I can’t help but notice that the feedback has come from people from all warps of life. From school-leavers to retirees (and everything in between), each and every email convinces me even more (not that I needed to be persuaded) that this journey of 100 Things highlights a very important something inherent to all of us-the ability to dream and achieve and grow.

Amongst the emails are those which talk of success, those that touch on harder times and even those that share amazing tales of overcoming adversity, and with all of this being said it seems that no matter who you are or where you’re from- we are all the same on a primal level. That’s why, I believe, this book connects.

Today I heard that there are currently 7,000 copies of the ’100 Things’ book out there, somewhere, in the world. Emails from Europe, the Americas, Australia and Asia are just a few regions that the book has travelled to. I even got a photo sent to me from a book store in Taiwan where my book was displayed on a shelf (I had no idea it was even being stocked in Taiwan!). It’s quite humbling in honesty.

Hannah, the first person to ever email me about my book, asked if we could meet up for a coffee. How could I say 'no'?!

So having spent many hours on my laptop recently, replying to all of your amazing emails, today I stumbled upon the first public review of my book. Nervous as to what might be said in a public forum, I was delighted to see that the message of the book rang true for this lovely girl called Pamela (she left her name on the review)

“Fantastic Story!! Here is my review….
Please take the time to buy and read a copy of Sebastian Terry’s 100 Things, as you will not regret it and you will be helping the amazing Camp Quality cause! Not only is the book so amazingly well written and easy to read, it is utterly captivating. The story of Sebastian Terry’s 100 Things adventure will make you laugh, gasp, cry and even cringe at times, but mostly it is just so inspiring. The message that Sebastian is trying to get out there is so much deeper than ‘make a list of crazy things to do’ – it is about living life as the universe intended you to live it. Story after story illustrates how everything can fall into place if you have the courage to just let it happen. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to experience Sebastian Terry’s amazing 100 Things journey documented in this book. If you would like any more information, check out his website by clicking here and make your own 100 Things list!
Pamela”

Now it would be understandable for you think that the reason I’ve shared this is because of it’s complimentary nature. Sure, it’s a lovely boost to hear such feedback but for those of you know me you’d know that I’m not here to gain notoriety. If the truth be known I’ve decided to share this because I am just so euphorically happy that the important message about life that I tried so hard to encapsulate in this book has been recognised. That’s my driver in life right now. It leaves me quite emotional, even as I type. This feeling is something that runs deep within me and I know that in my quest to further understand and learn about the things that I’m yet to define about this journey, I have found my purpose.

I hope that makes some kind of sense.

Anyway, if you think that you or someone you know (even your business) could do with a read that might make you look at life in a different way or even enforce what you already believe (albeit with a risk that you may ‘laugh, gasp, cry and even cringe’), please feel free to buy a copy of ’100 Things’ at the Random House website (e-book and paperback available) HERE.

Of course if you’d like a signed copy, please buy a copy on this site by clicking on the SHOP tab above (or click HERE).

100 Things… What’s on your list?

For those of you who have read the 100 Things book, you’d know that the last 6 spots on my list are up for auction. For those of you who didn’t know- the last 6 spots on my list are up for auction 

The story goes that after I survived being shot in Colombia (Number 73 from the list), I realized for the first time in my journey that I had reached a point of contentment. Having completed 42 items at that time, I could feel that the journey was no longer just about items that I wanted to complete- there was something at play.

With this in mind I thought I’d auction off the remaining 6 blank items from the list, with all donations going towards Camp Quality. By doing so, we’d be getting closer to ticking off Number 4- Raise $100,000 for Camp Quality!

To date I am in talks with a few organizations who have showed interest in choosing an item for me (each of whom will be donating a large amount to Camp Quality, of course) but today I’d like to talk about a man named Jan. Jan is the first individual who has asked to buy one of the vacant items from the list and after meeting in person for lunch today, I’m stoked to announce that we are going to confirm his choice of activity in the next few days. By doing so Jan will become the first person to buy one of the remaining 6 vacant items from the list!

Jan sharing his idea with me...

One observation from my own journey is that some of the happiest people I’ve met are the ones who are able to give back and help within the community. Whether it be on a personal level or a community-wide level, the philanthropic nature of these individuals is as refreshing as it is encouraging. We truly live in a world made up of amazing people. Why am I say this? Well when I sat down with Jan today, waiting to hear his suggestion for his chosen item on my list, i feared that he might ask me to do something silly like dress as a chicken and sing the national anthem (thankfully he didn’t as I already did this a few weeks ago whilst completing item Number 20- Yes Man!), but when he sheepishly asked whether I’d be open to donating blood, I could’t help but smile.

Having offered a large sum of money to donate to Camp Quality in return for choosing an item on my list, his request was completely selfless and entirely genuine. He could have thrown me under the bus, so to speak, but instead he just wanted to help someone in need. Someone he or I will never know.

“Sebastian, I also would like to join you and donate blood. Is that OK?”

I didn’t need to think about my answer; OF COURSE!

The sad part to the story is that when I rang the blood donor service half way through our lunch today, I was told immediately that due the fact that I’d spent more than 6 months in the UK in-between 1980 and 1996, I am not eligible to give blood! Admittedly this seemed strange but it was explained that it had something to do with the prevalence of Mad-Cow Disease in this time. Who am I to argue that?

With a confused look on my face, I turned to Jan and told him the bad news;

“That’s OK Sebastian. We’l find some other way to help someone in need! I still want to help and donate”

We are now looking for an alternative activity and will confirm something in the few days.

In life there are no problems, just solutions. Jan; you’re a legend and I can’t wait to see how this turns out.

Watch this space!

100 Things… What’s on your list?

I don’t even know where to begin today; things are moving with so much momentum at the moment that I’m just trying to hang on!

Yesterday morning I got invited to give three talks to various businesses overseas. By mid-morning I’d received an offer to baptize a baby in America (remember that I am an fully-ordained wedding minister!) and by midday I’d met up with an inspirational man by the name of Sam Cawthorn for lunch. Replying to emails consumed a few hours in the afternoon and by the time dinner swung around I’d been physically beaten after an intense boxing session in preparation for my April 5th Fight Night! Before bedtime I’d been approached by a very generous man who wanted to donate a lot of money to Camp Quality and as I laid down to bed that night I got a message from someone telling me that she might be able to put me in touch with Taylor Swift as part of helping out a courageous 14 year old girl whose dream it is to meet the talented musician. These are just tray’s highlights!

I love it!

So after waking up this morning and looking out the window to life as I know it, my immediate question to myself is ‘what’s my plan today?’. The answer i just realized is- I don’t know- time management has never been my forte- but what I do know is that as soon as I get back from a run I’m going to jump onto my lap-top and get as many balls rolling in as many directions as I can just because I know that by doing so good things will happen. How do I know this? Simple- I can feel it.

Things are about to get crazy...

How can I ignore such amazing flow?

At times in life it seems that it’s all about putting your head down and your bum up. Attending to all of the smaller things that seem to pop up as the hour hand ticks around the clock, you can only hope at times that the ship is moving in a good direction. But when you do get a chance to get out of the engine room and take a moment to view your ship as a whole, there is no greater motivator than to see that your ship is sailing towards beautiful oceans ahead. This is where I’m at this evening- I’m watching the ship cruise on.

Now I have no idea what this blog update offers you- the reader- into 100 Things. Perhaps it shows you in part how my mind works, but to tell you the truth I’m not too sure, but if there is one thing that you take away from this little piece of writing, please let it be this- this journey is constantly evolving and with my finger on the pulse I can feel that we’re not too far away from taking the next big step.

At some stage yesterday I managed to find myself a notepad and pen and after freely writing a few thoughts and ideas that more recently I’ve been churning over in my head, I think i’ve stumbled upon something that will instigate even positive social change. Big words I know (and it’ll make you feel no better to know that of course I can’t define, let alone share with you what this idea is just yet) but let me just say that I can’t wait to explore this more.

As soon I’ve uncovered this a little more, you’ll be the first to know- how cryptic!

I think I’ll have to leave it there right now as the phone is already ringing and my calendar reminders are already beeping at me from my phone. This tells me that there are already things today that I have forgotten about.

Back to the engine room!

100 Things… What’s on your list?