“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”~ Randy Pausch
I think I have shared this quote before, but it's worth having another look at. I was reminded of this quote today at the end of my run because the past two runs that I have completed have been a real mental challenge for me. I have really struggled to keep going in the midst of the urge to stop and walk, but I have somehow managed to completely run both routes. This is not only a huge physical accomplishement, but also a psychological achievement for breaking down those walls that keep me from my full potential.
I believe that each person has their own personal struggles and challenges, whether those challenges are eating disorders, addictions, depression...You name it. I believe that everyone has "brick walls" in their lives that keep them from living fully in the present moment. I also believe that if we want to experience that full joy and peace in this present moment then we need to either tear down those walls, or discover some way to climb over them......We must prevail.
There is so much joy and happiness to experience in this life. I cannot begin to express the personal achievement and fullfillment that I find in overcoming these road-blocks and in pushing through. There is something magical about getting to the other side and knowing that you wanted it badly enough to make it happen.
I experienced this with my degree - I never really dreamed it would be possible to graduate from university and have a career. The feeling at the completion of that goal was undescribeable!!! The same I felt the first time I tramped to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up, the same I felt when I summited Trinchera, the same I felt when I ran my first race.......It's that feeling of having achieved your goals, but also that feeling of knowing that you wanted it badly enough to fight for it.....
Whatever your challenge is, whatever wall is keeping you from meeting your goals, I encourage you to keep pressing on - keep tearing down those walls!!!
