Yesterday I had a discussion with one of my friends in the obstacle racing community. She had told me that she entered into the sport to deal with a very serious problems stemming from her suffering with PTSD. While I do not know the entire details of the traumatic events that lead to such suffering, I was more caught up with her ability to handle that which she had to run through her problems. Notice this point: I did NOT say “running FROM her problems”. Rather, she ran through them. I found this very similar to my own pressing abilities, as I have continued to press on through the difficulties of my own life (and wouldn’t you know, I am now registered for a number of obstacle courses this year as well. Go figure 😉 )
Something really struck me with this talk I had yesterday, and much of it had to do with listening in to the very real struggles my friend had shared not just on her own part, but continuing her calling in life when much of her support network had decided to turn away from her.
“So many people had walked away when life got hard, and that was the biggest challenge. People I knew and trusted for so long could not understand what I was going through, and in that difficulty they walked out. I started running to physically deal with my emotional state, and when I found obstacle racing, I met similar people with similar stories who truly ran through their own problems and got stronger. I guess you have to go through a process and find out who really has your back. Weeding out the negativity in your life, be it your own problems or negative people, THAT is truly hard. The good news? I am a much better person now. I kept going my course. I am stronger, and it was truly worth the work!”
Time for today’s analogy! Â
Have you ever wanted to change your life for the better, but found yourself surrounded by naysayers? You may be shocked by some of these naysayers too. Friends, family members, colleagues, you name it. Sometimes some of the very people you believed would have your back, no matter what, are actually the very people who cannot deal with your own will to change your life for the better. I am all too familiar with this sort of (what I will call) social phenomenon. Years ago I was sick with an autoimmune issue and did everything I could within my own power to overcome the crisis. Years would go by of being labelled “crazy” for believing I could reverse the problem, but after a lot of research, trial and error, and hard dedicated work, my condition reversed.Â
Keep going!
I am not writing this to suggest that your friends, family and loved ones are out there ready to abandon you when the going gets tough. Please dismiss such thoughts. Rather, I am writing this to suggest that surrounding yourself with like minded people who TRULY UNDERSTAND what your dreams are, what your hopes are, the difficulties you face and your willingness to press through them REALLY MATTER. Who is in your tribe? Are they there to support you? Do you find yourself running through muddy waters surrounded with the negativity of others, or are you surrounded by those that believe in you, and are willing to help pull you up to press on through the difficulties of life?
Keep going!
I am not a fan of the saying “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” I think that is half right. When the going gets tough, tough decisions have to be made, and that generally leads us to ask for help. Toughness is not always about hitting a personal record, but about taking each step towards that goal and diligently practicing the skills necessary to succeed with the help of those that have done the hard work themselves before.
No matter what you have had to endure in your life, keep on staying the course and surround yourself with the very people who believe in you and are committed to lifting you up. Should you need any specific guidance, post a comment below or email me at janelle@janellepica.com. Let nothing stand in your way!
Press on!
