“Do you want to reach your goal? If so, you are going to have to push yourself.”
I now look back through different eyes. I thought I understood the meaning of working hard in the gym. Over the years, I have put hours in stretching, pushing, and pulling. My sweat was a proof statement, yet in hindsight it all seems routine. I now know I did not know what it meant to push myself.
While I have run marathons and accomplished other challenging goals, recent gym experiences suggest I still have a lot to learn. In a workout session, I was challenged to complete 2000 meters on a rowing machine within a certain time period. Half way through I was absolutely certain that I could not meet the two goals. Although I was encouraged to continue while slowing down, my resolve waivered. Everything became a repeating decision to continue or stop. As things stretched into a feeling of endlessness, a tap on the arm interrupted my dream with words telling me I had arrived.
Distance accomplished with 2 seconds to spare with time.
I felt as if each muscle was screaming. As I bent over, inhaling deeply, everything within seem to be speaking with a singular voice; “I’m hurt and in pain; give me space for healing, and mountain air.” (Psalm 69.29)
I know that I could not have accomplished the task six months ago. I am not sure I could repeat it today. I do know that on a given day, my name is linked to an achievement. Am I willing to take it father? Yes, if I am willing to push myself.
In the softness of a new day, my aspirations drift in and out of my mind. What goals do I really want? Am I willing to push myself?
I know that if the answer is going to be yes then it will require more than I ever thought possible. Paraphrasing a modern author, “one makes one’s own luck, but you have to give the universe an opportunity to help you.” (Amish)
