I read an excerpt from a book that I’ve been reading. The book is Ultra Marathon Man by Dean Karnazes. I love this book and have probably read it four or five times. It’s an easy read and the stories are quite engaging and compelling.
The excerpt is from the beginning of Chapter 17, Run for the Future. It goes like this:
Running has taught me that the pursuit of a passion matters more than the passion itself. Immerse yourself in something deeply and with heartfelt intensity–continually improve, never give up—this is fulfillment, this is success. He goes on further to say: Running into Santa Cruz, I was wholly fulfilled. Most people never get there. They’re afraid or unwilling to demand enough of themselves and take the easy road, the past of least resistance. But struggling and suffering, as I now saw it, were the essence of a life worth living. If you’re not constantly demanding more from yourself—expanding and learning as you go—you’re choosing a numb existence. You’re denying yourself an extraordinary trip.
As a running buddy once said to me: Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: “WOW!! What a ride!”
Dean was writing this passage as he was reliving his very first 199 mile relay race where he ran the entire event in 46 hours. An astounding accomplishment. I love this passage. Obviously, I’ve read it before but as I read it this time, it had a more profound meaning. I share this sentiment when I’ve done the various half marathons over the years including the most recent Brooksie Way on September 30th of this year. Reading this now meant a lot in the realm of business for me. It reminded me that nothing worthwhile comes by charting oneself down the easy path. Business is difficult and takes vision, imagination and an internal grit that can be difficult to muster at times. It is so important to be reminded that the journey is not just a path to a destination. Most of the enjoyment of any worthwhile endeavor is in the journey itself.
The quote I’ll leave you on this Constant Reader, is from my wife, Amy. “Trust the Process, and enjoy it!” Six words that have such meaning. I have them framed on my wall. I encourage you to borrow them and enjoy the process and journey as well.
Leave a Reply