Something to prove.

I was out for a run the other day…

OK, it was an organized marathon, but at the base, it’s just a run… one foot in front of the other, right?

How did I get here? When did it become more than just a run?

Paying money to register for the run, using part of a travel budget to participate, taking time off of work, leaving behind other regular responsibilities (and comforts), to go run 42.2 KM – in unknown weather and despite any recent (hopefully minor) physical issues (as we don’t plan on that bruised toe or sensitive tendon). The point being, when you sign up to run a marathon, your best laid plans can go awry in a flash – it’s not like the marathon organizes itself around you.

So how DID I get here?

As I was running the Cape Cod Marathon this weekend (shoutout to the @CapeCodMarathonweekend for, yet again, a phenomenal event!), a guy ran past me with a t-shirt that had “something to prove” printed boldly on the back, and it got me thinking.

Do I have something to prove?

Well, no…

It’s not about what others think or say…

but wait…

Don’t I?

Don’t we all?

Shouldn’t we all have something to prove, albeit to ourselves?

Isn’t this just another way of focusing on your being and your purpose?

I know for me running has become so ingrained in my being, that pushing my limits and setting goals, such as marathons (or Chowdah Challenges), has given me (or revealed itself in me): pose and purpose; serenity and solace; drive and determination; insight and introspection; awareness and acuity. I am proving to myself what is possible – through me, by me and despite me.

I think the critical nuance is that when you have something to prove – you have to prove that something to yourself – not to the world, not for others. The something has to come from within you.

Don’t get me wrong – I love sharing my goals, my successful runs (and setbacks) with others (especially when I believe the insight can be helpful or encouraging) … but I am not out there to prove anything to anyone else but myself.

My something.

To prove.

Things get messy and lines get blurred when we try to prove something to others or allow others to influence what our something to prove should be.

We lose our way.

Your something to prove is your dream, your will and your mantra. It molds into your mission.

It is you.

It is your way.

It is The Way.

Prove it to yourself, as always, with #Grit&Grace.