The Marathoners and the Tree of Life

“Somewhere along humanity’s cultural progression we seem to have confused comfort with contentment, but I now realize that contentment doesn’t come from comfort, contentment comes from living through great discomfort.” This is a quote from ultra marathoner Dean Karnazes. This dude runs 100 mile marathons.”

Contentment is stronger than comfort

Challenges, adversity, dedication, pain and sorrows are part of life. There is no way around it. It’s how you come out the other side that gives meaning and contentment. If you are anti fragile and resilient, you will have contentment knowing even with all of life’s challenges, if met head on you will grow as a human.

Kristen and Jennifer embodied this stoic philosophy preparing for and competing in the Disney Marathon. By choosing to try they have already nailed it. Jen and Kristen had a passion to run in the Disney Marathon and to do it together. It took long, long hours to train. They would be the first to tell you it did not yield any records, but that’s not the point. One is not a failure for finishing with slow times, they nailed it when they chose to try. Booyah! This Dad has goose bumps of inspiration.

Enjoy the process

Goals are important. They are a distant beacon of light on the horizon that we must steer towards. Ultimately it’s not the goal that is most rewarding, it’s the journey along the way that gives you satisfaction and meaning. The pure joy of living in the moment striving, learning, over coming adversity that makes life zesty and worth living.

“I long to accomplish a great noble task, but it’s my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” Helen Keller’s quote