the start line

The journey is the reward. 

Last weekend I had the opportunity to participate Ironman Texas – a pretty solid event that has been on my radar and has been the reason behind my training up to this point. I don’t think that I have ever taken the time to write a complete race report…simply because for me the journey to get to that start line is where all the magic takes place.  Sure, race day is fun and an awesome part of the process- but I have never let it define the journey to get there. 

Relative to anything in life- you truly get out of it what you put into it.  What did I get out of it? Here we go…lessons that come with the finisher medal:

·      Do not resist change.  Let go of the brakes. Don't worry about the bumps and bruises. Your body can take them.  Don't steer around the challenges, opportunities, events, ideas, or goals that scare you…instead go over them, go through them, eat them up and keep moving forward. Keep your chin up and ALWAYS see what is around you and in the end, there will be one less thing you cannot do.

·      Life is right now.  If you want it bad enough, you will do whatever it takes to reach your goal.  Obstacles are life.  There is no way to happiness…since happiness is the way.  If you don’t go after what you want, you will never have it.  If you do not step forward, you will always be in the same place.

·      True growth happens in moments of weakness.  It really is not the level of achievement, run splits, or any numbers attached to racing that I find growth- It is those moments when I am tired…when  hope seems lost…when I am given the choice to either quit or keep moving forward where I learn the most.   That is the moment that gives me courage and strength to face each battle, challenge, and hill in life with an open heart and can do attitude.

·       Nobody ever said that it was going to be easy…but they all say it will be worth it.  It doesn’t matter if you complete and ironman or finally run 1 block—we all start somewhere.  Sometimes in order to achieve great things, we have to be willing to give up the things that hold us back…even if that is our own negative attitude, habits, and self- beliefs.  Be your best cheerleader.

·       Positive attitude has power. If you did all the things that you are capable of…you would astound yourself... True Story. I dare you to be astounded. 

·       Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don’t compare yourself to everyone around you- try to simply be better than yourself.

·       An impactful network: surround yourself with those who believe in you, support you and simply love you for whom you are standing still…make people a part of your process.

·       If God has given you gifts...use them to the best of your ability...that could be first or last place- it doesn't matter as long as you gave it all you got. simple.

My journey to the start line is just life. Whatever you can do or dream you can…BEGIN IT.  Boldness to start has power and magic.  Exhaust yourself with living…give it all you got no matter what that means for you.  Years from now you will be more disappointed in the things you didn’t do than by the ones that you did.

See you at the start line.

So stop waiting; until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

- Alfred D'Souza