Drake sings it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Phil likes to say it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many more repeat it still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a marathon \u2014 not a sprint.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I keep thinking about that comment. I keep thinking about it especially now. While still more feel it\u2019s a vastly overused expression, my sense is that yes, our current societal state is a marathon indeed. Right now, the concept is not overused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Listen to how infamous marathoners speak\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n From Bill Rodgers, four time Boston Marathon winner:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The advice I have for beginners is the same philosophy that I have for runners of all levels of experience and ability: consistency, a sane approach, moderation, and making your running an enjoyable, rather than dreaded, part of your life.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And from Grete Waitz, a nine time New York City Marathon winner:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “For every finish-line tape a runner breaks \u2014 complete with the cheers of the crowd and the clicking of hundreds of cameras \u2014 there are the hours of hard and often lonely work that rarely gets talked about.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve listened to my friends\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marathons are hard.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n They go on\u2026 and on\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes they go on longer than we\u2019d like them to. Many of us would like to stop by mile number 19\u2026 maybe even 2\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n They are mentally exhausting.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Draining, in fact.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It takes training\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A combination of preparation and mental and physical training.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And it\u2019s so challenging\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 often the physical vs. mental \u2014 and when one seems most acute, the other becomes more prominent\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most times it\u2019s more mentally challenging than physically.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n I hear you. Friends, this is tough\u2026 and much of the above is said by friends that have run many, many marathons\u2026 even some 24 hour, 100 mile marathons\u2026 with all due respect \u2014 that\u2019s crazy! <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But what about when we\u2019re done?<\/p>\n\n\n\n When done, it can be euphoric\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n So proud to persevere\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n To have accomplished the goal.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSometimes you\u2019re prouder of the harder races. Those are the ones I most remember \u2014 those that were a physical and mental battle. They make me tougher. The easy days, well, they\u2019re a blur.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Friends, these days are indeed a marathon. They are the harder races. But take note of the growth, strength and wisdom that results from the hard. This has the potential to be good. We don\u2019t want it to be a blur!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Granted, there\u2019s one more elusive challenge. When a runner runs, a runner plans. They have a training schedule and a noted time frame. They know the day and they know the end. They know specifically when the end will come. They begin with the end in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what will be said of us? We don’t know the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But how will we run? Remember\u2026 this could be good. We could speak of such as a growth-filled, community-building, learning-what-we-most-have-in-common time. Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR Drake sings it. Dr. Phil likes to say it. Many more repeat it still. \u201cIt\u2019s a marathon \u2014 not a sprint.\u201d I keep thinking about that comment. I keep thinking about it especially now. While still more feel it\u2019s a vastly overused expression, my sense is that yes, our current societal state is a marathon … <\/p>\n
What will be said of us when this is done?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let us make it so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"