It’s not everyday you get up and run a marathon, run a multi-million dollar company, or go up on a stage and sing in front of a sold out stadium, but what’s stopping you? Its been done before, and it’s being done right now by people all around the world.
“Getting rich aint a blessing it’s a choice.” – Big Sean.
Some people never accomplish their true dreams or even attempt their goals because they gave up or never considered that they could do it. Is it because they think it’s so crazy to consider that because who they are, they aren’t capable? Or because they don’t have the latest and greatest equipment, they’ll never make it? Or is it fear of putting themselves out there preventing them from taking that first step? No matter what the reason may be some people die without ever living. When you look back on your life will you be able to say you lived?
If it’s one thing I’ve learned while training to run 26.2 miles, it’s that every year less than .2% of people attempt a marathon and less than 1% ever complete a marathon in their lifetime. 26.2 miles is a long distance to run, it’s a hard thing to do. Having a good teammate and coach to help you along the way is absolutely necessary for those training workouts that make you second guess your commitment. Those speed runs that make you feel like you’re endlessly gasping for air, the long runs where you just have to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. Those callousing workouts, the ones that eat away at your mind, are why you need positive reinforcement, you need a good coach and teammate. And they might be closer than you think, it’s that voice in your head. No matter how many tangible people who you meet that encourage and push you, you are always with yourself. You know you best and you should always be there for yourself. This isn’t just about running, this is about life. This is about choosing hard. This is about waking up at 4 am to go work that double shift. This is about the degree you signed up for 2 years ago and you have 3 more years to go before graduating. This is about the times in your life when you have what seems like a marathon in front of you.
In Nipsey Hussle’s “That’s how I knew” recorded in 2014, the artist who coined the phrase “The Marathon Continues” talks about accomplishing various achievements in his life and how he knew he was destined for more and manifested the things he had worked for. The lyrics speak for themselves
“that’s how I knew that I was different.
I seen it, I thought it, it dreamed it.
I said it, I did it, I meant it.
I taste it, I love it, I need it.
I want it, more of it, I fiend it. “
Years later he would go on to win 2 Grammy’s, 2 NAACP Image Awards and 1 BET Award. When you have a mindset that enables you to push for the things you say you want, there isn’t much stopping you from getting there.
Mike Tyson once said, “It’s hard to beat a man who doesn’t want to quit.”
I write this to inspire and motivate those who want to help themselves, those who want to get better or simply those who need a reminder of who they are. Remember, always choose hard and don’t quit, the top of the mountain is nothing without the climb.