as always, I love how you weave running into the larger questions of life. Marathon training tests your limits. It's about tolerating pain. Deep down, it is about this optimism that you write of.
'you will get through this.'
this, to me, is the best part of being Christian - we live in hope. always.
My husband (then fiance) and I applied to the lottery for 2013.
2012 was the year it was canceled because of Sandy. So the lottery was different: everyone who had been registered for 2012 got a guaranteed entry into one of the next three years. this opened more spaces.
We knew none of that, however, and just applied. I'll never forget when I got home and Jeff said, 'check your email.' he had gotten in and he was *so* scared that I hadn't! the odds were very low.
But i also got in!
Then I got injured and deferred till 2014. So we ran the NYC marathon at the beginning of November, and got married at the end of November, the same year! it was crazy. but awesome.
Very thoughtful and insightful newsletter. Thanks. Admiral Stockdale's words are reminiscent of Viktor Frankl's in Man's Search For Meaning. So many quotes from that book align with Adm. Stockdale's guidance but I'll just post 3.
"Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how';
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.;"
“In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.”
Man's Search for Meaning is a wonderful and terrible book. Highly recommended.
Thanks Terrell for the reminders. I'll TRY and remember this during my next terrible training session.
Thanks so much for this, Ed -- I actually have that book on my shelf and occasionally pull it down, but for some reason have never read it all the way through. I'm going to make time to do that this year. Love this!
You know, Terrell, someday the MS is going to make my legs stop working at all. Already it’s difficult to walk. Your powerful words help me face up to that prospect. I’ve been trying to convince myself that my nerves were going to heal, but that’s not how the disease works. Thank you, my friend.
I'm so bummed to hear that, Fran; I can only imagine what that's been like for you. My grandmother had MS and so I know a little -- my heart goes out to you. When was the last time you were able to go for a run?
I was always a walker more than a runner. But it’s been at least 40 years. I remember I started using a cane on my 50th birthday, which was January1, 2000, but even before then I was having trouble walking. I am fortunate that I have a flavor of MS that affects my gait but not my upper body or my brain. I appreciate your concern.
“And when you try to destroy someone else’s world, you destroy your world.”
I love the simplicity and truth of what your then six-year old boy said.
Thank you for shining light into the darkness of this day. I sometimes despair in the state of this world and cruelty of men but then a hopeful message from our youth reminds me that there is always light. Somewhere. Always.
It is -- there's a great line from an old Sting song from back in the 80s, when he says, "a night a candle's brighter than the sun" -- I've always loved that.
Very well written. You have a way with the words which is very captivating. I always look forward to reading your articles. The title of this article immediately reminded me of one of my favorite songs by Creed called “Inside Us All”.
absolutely beautiful. thank you.
as always, I love how you weave running into the larger questions of life. Marathon training tests your limits. It's about tolerating pain. Deep down, it is about this optimism that you write of.
'you will get through this.'
this, to me, is the best part of being Christian - we live in hope. always.
My very first marathon was the NYC marathon - 2014. I had lived in NYC previously - it was my dream for 20 years to run that race.
I didn't know I could do it - and I did do it.
I've never been prouder of myself.
I love that SO much, Cathie!! I've always dreamed of running the NYC Marathon -- it's basically impossible to get into now, right?
It's very hard.
My husband (then fiance) and I applied to the lottery for 2013.
2012 was the year it was canceled because of Sandy. So the lottery was different: everyone who had been registered for 2012 got a guaranteed entry into one of the next three years. this opened more spaces.
We knew none of that, however, and just applied. I'll never forget when I got home and Jeff said, 'check your email.' he had gotten in and he was *so* scared that I hadn't! the odds were very low.
But i also got in!
Then I got injured and deferred till 2014. So we ran the NYC marathon at the beginning of November, and got married at the end of November, the same year! it was crazy. but awesome.
You can get a charity spot - but it's $$.
still, there is no better marathon. I cried the whole way. from pain, yes! but also because i was doing it.
Very thoughtful and insightful newsletter. Thanks. Admiral Stockdale's words are reminiscent of Viktor Frankl's in Man's Search For Meaning. So many quotes from that book align with Adm. Stockdale's guidance but I'll just post 3.
"Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how';
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.;"
“In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.”
Man's Search for Meaning is a wonderful and terrible book. Highly recommended.
Thanks Terrell for the reminders. I'll TRY and remember this during my next terrible training session.
Thanks so much for this, Ed -- I actually have that book on my shelf and occasionally pull it down, but for some reason have never read it all the way through. I'm going to make time to do that this year. Love this!
Wow great stuff Terrell. An optimistic realist making a plan sounds like a way to go. And I just love the insights of children.
You know, Terrell, someday the MS is going to make my legs stop working at all. Already it’s difficult to walk. Your powerful words help me face up to that prospect. I’ve been trying to convince myself that my nerves were going to heal, but that’s not how the disease works. Thank you, my friend.
I'm so bummed to hear that, Fran; I can only imagine what that's been like for you. My grandmother had MS and so I know a little -- my heart goes out to you. When was the last time you were able to go for a run?
I was always a walker more than a runner. But it’s been at least 40 years. I remember I started using a cane on my 50th birthday, which was January1, 2000, but even before then I was having trouble walking. I am fortunate that I have a flavor of MS that affects my gait but not my upper body or my brain. I appreciate your concern.
This is wonderful, and so appreciated. Thank you.
Right back at you, Dan -- thank you 🙏
“And when you try to destroy someone else’s world, you destroy your world.”
I love the simplicity and truth of what your then six-year old boy said.
Thank you for shining light into the darkness of this day. I sometimes despair in the state of this world and cruelty of men but then a hopeful message from our youth reminds me that there is always light. Somewhere. Always.
It is -- there's a great line from an old Sting song from back in the 80s, when he says, "a night a candle's brighter than the sun" -- I've always loved that.
Oh, Terrell--this was beautiful. And much needed. 💙
Thanks so much, Diana! Hope all is well in your world, my friend 😃
Wow if little "T" read Stockdale he could help repair this beautiful but broken world. ♥️‼️
He could! It's amazing the things he perceives.
Very well written. You have a way with the words which is very captivating. I always look forward to reading your articles. The title of this article immediately reminded me of one of my favorite songs by Creed called “Inside Us All”.
When I'm all alone
And no one else is there
Waiting by the phone
To remind me
I'm still here
When shadows paint the scenes
Where spotlights used to fall
And I'm left wondering
Is it really worth it all?
There's a peace inside us all
Let it be your friend
It will help you carry on, in the end
There's a peace inside us all.
Life can hold you down
When you're not looking up
Can't you hear the sounds?
Hearts beating out loud
Although the names change
Inside we're all the same
Why can't we tear down these walls?
To show the scars we're covering
Thanks so much, Sumesh! Love that song.