My runs are often times a battle of mind vs. body. As I chugged slowly up the road today my mind was cutting me down. “This is too hard”, “you’re not in good enough shape”, “just make it to the next telephone pole then stop”. Then it occurred to me that my mind was trying to control my body’s activity and so I made the decision to shut it up. I could take walking breaks assuring that my day’s exercise was nice and easy or I could push myself, keep running and return home feeling proud. Proud that I’d pushed through something my mind was so desperately trying to stop me from doing. Proud for running two entire uninterrupted miles for the first time in years. Proud for testing my strength and reminding myself that I’m so much stronger than I ever give myself credit for.
Proud or easy?
My run is an excellent metaphor for life. Do you want an easy life or a life you’re proud of. Easy doesn’t take effort. Easy is about pleasing yourself right now. Making yourself proud takes commitment, hardship at times, maybe even sacrifice. You have to work for proud.
Easy is instant gratification, proud is eternal gratification.
