What happened to Chelsea Dinsmore last year, is simply heartbreaking.

She and her husband, Scott, began 2015 doing what they'd dreamt of doing for years: traveling the world. Their adventures took them to South and Central America, Eastern and Western Europe, and eventually, Mount Kilimanjaro.

It was during the Kilimanjaro climb that life threw Chelsea an unexpected curveball: Scott was killed by a boulder on the sixth day of the trek.

Although Chelsea must have felt unimaginable pain, she didn't let Scott's death stop her. Her positive outlook on life and ability to overcome tragedy is something we can all look up to.

This week, she took time out of her travels to Indonesia to answer some tough questions and give the Steemit community a dose of inspiration.

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20 questions with Chelsea Dinsmore

1 - How would you describe yourself in one sentence?

Chelsea - I am an independent goofy gal who loves travel, food, the ocean and adventure - and am fascinated with constantly learning more about myself and others.

2 - How would you describe your late husband, Scott, in one sentence?

Chelsea - Scott was an endlessly curious life experimenter and adventurer with a contagious energy that was larger than life.

3 - The story of Scott's death during your hike of Mount Kilimanjaro last year is heartbreaking. I understand that eight months earlier, you and Scott fulfilled a longtime dream of selling everything you owned and traveling. Prior to the Kilimanjaro hike, where did you and Scott travel? What do those memories—and the fact you two were living your dream—mean to you today?

Chelsea - Our trip began in South and Central America, then we spent a good bit of time in Eastern and Western Europe before making our way to Africa. I will forever be grateful for the time we spent together in those 8 months. I feel like we got to live a lot of lifetimes in our 13 years together, but those 8 months brought even more love, memories and joy to our lives than I could have ever imagined. I am so thankful that we took the leap to live out our dreams.

4 - Your positive attitude, despite your loss, is inspirational. How have you been able to overcome such a difficult event?

Chelsea - Honestly, I think it all comes down to the fact that my love for Scott and all those around me outweighs any challenge I can come across. I have encountered many challenging times over the past year, and know I still have plenty ahead of me - but it matters to me to find ways to continue to 'be me' as a way to honor Scott and for those around me. I've found that it helps to remain very present, continually grateful for what I have even in the midst of what I don't, and endlessly curious about what's really going on at a deep level within me, which has helped me continue to move forward through the tough times.

5 - What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone who has recently experienced loss?

Chelsea - Oh man, that is such a tough question because every loss is so different. But I guess, that there is hope, even though you cannot see how it will all come together. There are countless moments that it will feel completely impossible, because this journey is uncharted territory. And as you never could have ever imagined living even a moment without that person, you cannot imagine how you'll actually make it through this journey. But it is possible, I know it!

6 - How has meditation helped you throughout the last year?

Chelsea - I never had a seated meditation practice before but have always had a practice of mindfulness and presence. Right after losing Scott, I used the Headspace App and everyday when Andy would say "Welcome to day X," it was an encouraging reminder that I had made it yet another day that I never would have imagined I could get through. Living in the past does not serve much purpose, and the future is somewhat daunting. So I've literally trained my mind to live in the present through meditation and yoga.

7 - Who inspires you?

Chelsea - Honestly, I am inspired by the everyday people I meet who are out there doing the hard work to learn more about themselves, follow their dreams and give their uniqueness to the world. Yet another reason why I love to travel, as you meet so many free spirits out there doing their thing!

8 - Is there a quote, saying or even a song that has comforted you since September 2015?

Chelsea - This year I have lived by the mantra "I don't know what I don't know, but I don't need to know." That has been helpful alongside the reminder that, "In any given moment, we have the choice to focus on what we do have or what we don't." Because even in the moments when I have chosen to focus on what I don't have, it's with intention.

9 - What is Live Your Legend?

Chelsea - Live Your Legend is a community that encourages instead of discourages you to live out your dreams. Often times when we think “out of the box” we are told we are crazy or stupid, but LYL is a global community that not only believes, but proves, that you can spend your days doing something meaningful to you, make a living off what you love and use your strengths and talents to give back to the world.

10 - Why did you feel as though it was important to take over the business after Scott passed?

Chelsea - I didn't want his mission and vision to die. What he created has helped so many people and I wanted that gift to continue to be given to the world.

11 - What have you learned since taking over Live Your Legend?

Chelsea - That there is a lot of power in questioning whether you can do something instead of telling yourself that you can't. I had no idea how to run a business but my why was so strong that I have figured out (well, am still figuring out, haha) all the moving parts, even though I didn't know how.

12 - How do you define success?

Chelsea - To me success is to leave the world just a little bit better everyday that I am in it - sometimes with very small things, like showing up with a smile. Other days, it's with larger things. But to bring some positivity into the world every single day. And to live a life I feel proud of, not only at the end of it, but while in it.

13 - Is blogging something that has come naturally to you, or has it been a challenge?

Chelsea - Apparently I wear my heart on my sleeve, haha. So to write out my thoughts and processes, hasn't necessarily been hard for me, but it has been challenging to share so much of me with the world at an incredibly uncertain time. I used to worry if people would judge me for how I am processing this - but once I realized that I could help, even one person, in sharing my story, it removed some of that worry.

14 - What advice would you give to those who are aspiring bloggers?

Chelsea - You have nothing to lose - and there is no better time to start than today. Don't wait until it's perfect, because it never will be. Just do something. Anything. Because the more you attempt, the more you accomplish. And you have NO idea who you might be able to help simply by sharing the voice inside of you - and that's the amazing part!

15 - Has writing also been cathartic for you?

Chelsea - Yes. I do a lot of journaling, but as they say, the best way to really understand something is to teach it to others. So taking what's going on within me and seeing how I can distill it down to relate to challenges everyone faces makes me take that understanding to a whole new level.

16 - What makes you smile?

Chelsea - Haha. A lot of things! Music, people, nature, food. I find humor in simple things; I laugh at myself all the time. I am in awe of a lot of things. And I love to have fun. I think we can do that anywhere and with anyone with the right mindset!

17 - Why do you believe traveling is important?

Chelsea - I think travel is the best education to learn about yourself, about others and about the world. Travel gets you out of your own bubble and out of your comfort zone, which causes you to learn things about yourself, and prove to yourself that you can do things differently. Travel also always reminds me of the myriad of ways that people exist in this world. And perspective is so powerful in deepening your understanding and compassion for yourself and others.

18 - Where is one place that you've not yet traveled, that is on the top of your list to visit?

Chelsea - Well Indonesia has been on the top of my list for quite some time, and I happen to be writing this from Indonesia, so check! And how much time do you have? Haha. The world is a big place and I am interested in seeing most of it, but gut reaction: Slovenia, New Zealand, Belize.

19 - What is your biggest goal for yourself over the next year?

Chelsea - Honestly, I just felt like I needed to get through the first year, so to think about the next is kind of daunting. But I have a few projects that are not LYL-related that I plan to put some focused effort into. Not sure if that will come out in the form of a course, a program, a book, or what - but there's a separate Chelsea Project on the horizon, no doubt.

20 - What is one thing very few people know about you?

Chelsea - I geek out on science. I was a bio major in school and loved things like physics and organic chemistry - the subjects most people just had to "get through." And I have actually explored more scientific approaches (like quantum physics, etc.) in trying to better understand grief, human psychology and spirituality. #nerdalert

Edit: Links to Live Your Legend Added

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I'm sure it wasn't easy for Chelsea to answer some of these questions, but my sincere thanks goes to her for providing thoughtful and courageous responses. Her positive, glass-half-full attitude is nothing short of inspirational.

As always, thanks to all of you for taking the time to read.

Who would you like to see me throw 20 questions at? Drop me a comment below and I'll work on setting up the interview.

If you like what you read, be sure to follow my blog!

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