I hadn't run more
than three miles in twenty years. In fact I walk more often than I run. But
last week I decided to join my friends Dan and Chris for a 5 mile run through
the battlefields of Gettysburg while spending time at an FCA lacrosse camp with
my daughter.
Dan, who runs
marathons, and Chris, a former college athlete, ran the first two days without
me. But on the third day I was inspired to join them.
It seemed like a
good idea in theory but after the first mile I wasn't feeling very positive
about my decision. At the three mile mark I wanted to stop running but knew it
wasn't an option. I had to give everything I had.
As we ran the last
two miles, mostly uphill, I felt like I was going to pass out but with Dan and
Chris' amazing encouragement I kept going and made it to the finish line.
I felt an
incredible sense of accomplishment all day but that's not the point of this
message.
What happened two
days later is the reason why I'm writing this. I ran three miles by myself and
it was a piece of cake.
What I thought was
once hard was now easy because I had stretched myself.
We don't like to
stretch ourselves because it's painful and uncomfortable but it is through
discomfort and stretching that we become stronger and grow.
When we stretch
ourselves we look back and realize that it is our challenges, not our comforts,
that make us stronger, wiser and better.
So what area of
your life do you need to stretch?
Not everyone should
go run five miles. But you can stretch yourself by taking on a new project at
work. You can stretch your mind by reading more books. You can stretch your
heart by giving more to a charity. You can stretch your relationships at home.
You can stretch yourself mentally, physically and spiritually by challenging
yourself to do the hard things that make life ultimately easier.
How will you
stretch yourself?
~ Jon Gordon
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“If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”
~ Bruce Lee
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