Life is Like Running

One of my all-time favorite things in the world is running. When I run, I literally feel free, like nothing in the world can hold me back. I've always thought that this feeling is what a bird feels when it flys, especially an eagle that soars with effortless tranquility. When I run, I feel like everything is okay, even when it may not always be. In this way, I guess it is theraputic, just like how writing is.  :-) 

When you run, life is simple because all you have is a single focus:  just keep moving forward. In this aspect, life is like running. In life, you have to just keep moving forward, no matter how bad you want to stop and quit. Like with running, you have to push yourself and have discipline to keep up the with the pace. There will always be times when you feel like you want to stop and walk, but what good does that do you? In the end, it does nothing for the runner but to make things easy for that single moment. You will become as good as you let yourself be. If you let yourself take the easy way out once things becomes challenging, then you will always fall short of your potential. You will never allow yourself to go beyond the point of where you quit, and therefore will not allow yourself to grow.

As a runner, I know all about this. I hated running when I first started because all I wanted to do was stop to catch my breath. I could not even run a quarter of a mile. I felt defeated and not at where I wanted to be. Then, hardwork paid off, and I find now that I actually enjoy feeling that challenge.....that wanting-to-quit-but-choosing-to-ignore-it-and-just-keep-going kind of feeling.

I think about all these things often, but today while I was running, somehow it felt like this rings especially true for me at this point in my life. I have to remember to keep moving forward, no matter how much I may not want to sometimes.

In the end, a lot can be learned from this simple quote:  "The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."  ~Sir Roger Bannister


                                                          Peace. Love. Running