26.2 Miles plus One Step

First of all, please know that I am so, so sorry this is being written over 2 weeks after the event has passed.  Ever since the Monday after the race, my job has been moving 100 miles per hour. 

Second, I completed the marathon and I don’t think I’ll ever be the same.  That may seem like an over exaggeration but it’s true.  Let me start by saying that while the actual marathon was difficult (I started out way too fast for the first 13 miles and ended up walking about 1 mile toward the end), I was thrilled to be able to complete the full 26.2 miles and not asking to see a doctor upon crossing the finish line.  I have joined a new group of people who have completed a marathon and that’s pretty cool for me. 

But to be honest, I did not do anything super extraordinary after that.  I went home, rested and then got back into the routine of life.  It wasn’t until 3 days or so after the race when I realized that something was different inside me.  I truly believe now that I can do anything I want to and that life is too short not to do things that will enrich my life in fun and exciting different ways.  This new confidence that I’ve never really had is in me – really in me.  In me so much that no one can convince me otherwise. 

I don’t know if I can say that the act of completing a marathon is what changed me.  Essentially, I still feel like I am the same person.  However, I can say that pursing a dream and then accomplishing it gave me a different perspective that, over time will change me into a better person. 

We’ve already established that I’m an introvert.  So when Tabitha got an email about a flash mob being planned and invited me to join in, the pre marathon Patricia would have said, “No thanks.  I’m not that kind of person.  I’ll just do something else that is more of what I do…like organize something or go somewhere to be alone and just sit quietly.”  But, post-marathon Patricia spoke up and said, “Sure, I’ll join in.  Is it okay that I don’t have any dance experience?  I probably won’t be very good but it will be fun to see how a flash mob is planned and then done.”  So that’s what I did.  Something that I probably would have not done, ever, I did it and had a good time!

And that, simply put, is what life is about.  Following your dreams and then allowing the hard work and accomplishment to give you tools that will enrich your life and to see things from a better perspective.  The dreams are great and they will allow you to enter into a different group of accomplished people, but the continued journey and opportunities to grow is what enriches us and gets us to an even better place in life.   The one where we reflect the kind of love, joy and peace that would make our Father and King say, “Well done, child of Mine.  Well, done.” 

To the Exciting Journey! - Patricia