Friday, July 8, 2011

Aspire to Inspire

What are you doing with your life?  Wow, that was a rather loaded question I admit.  But as it pertains to being an inspiration to others ... how do you measure up?  To me, inspiration is simply defined as directing your life in a way that motivates others to change the course of theirs.  And that comes in many shapes and sizes.

As many of you know, I started this blog to exchange ideas with others runners, but also to encourage and inspire through my actions.  And in many ways, it's what drives me.  We all receive endless comments congratulating us on jobs well done in training and racing ... and those are necessary and motivation in themselves.  But it's the little note out of the blue thanking you for encouragement or inspiration that really hits home the most.  It means you made a difference.

What inspires me?  I couldn't even begin to name them all.  It's my daughter juggling flawless grades and work, but still finding time to run her first half-marathon.  It's my wife getting up almost everyday and training without fail, when "getting up" by itself is an amazing feat.  It's my son almost wading through a list of young life issues, but still managing to be a good father, almost on his own.  And there are many in the blog world as well.  It's a runner who logs seemingly a million miles on a treadmill for charity.  Or another dedicating their running to a sibling that was lost.  And a father who loses almost another person in weight and runs a marathon.  A person who beat cancer.  Another who comes in almost last in every race, but goes out there again and again and again. And a blogger (and Stanford fan) in California who rarely writes about himself, but rather almost always makes it about encouraging other people!

Who are some of the people that inspire you?

Think you don't inspire?  Think no one is watching?  Think again!  It can be the smallest thing that encourages someone to try harder or even begin.  Because just when you think all of your effort is pointless or really not accomplishing anything at all, someone will surprise you with how you made a difference.

I hope I'm an encouragement.  And I hope I inspire you in some small way.  At the end of the day, it's really not a good performance in a race, or running thousands of miles that matter.  It's simply always asking the question ... "Even with all the flaws and mistakes in my life, did I make a positive difference on someone?"  And the next time you are reading my blog, please be encouraged and motivated ... if no other reason than, "If that idiot can do it ... I can too!"
... be great today!

11 comments:

  1. I love this post and you are definitely inspiring and so encouraging to other runners!

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  2. You definitely inspire through your posts. Love them.

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  3. I like how you end this with "if that idiot can do it..." classic. But, seriously, I love reading your posts (as well as Michael's). Both of you have such dedication. Keeping at it day in and day out--that's inspiring to me.

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  4. Love this. You are def inspiring to me! I don't comment all the time, but I read! : )
    We may have yalls number in football, but basketball may be a different story. Hopefully this year will be much different.
    And...I don't think anyone can go wrong with a little mariah carey every once in a while! ha!

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  5. Such a great post! I really missed you while you didn't blog for a bit because YOU inspire me.

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  6. I can't tell you how many times your catch phrase runs through my head - and not just when I'm training, sometimes when I'm at work or with my kids. Reading your blog always makes me want to be great today! :)

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  7. It's so true. People are watching and you never now who your life is making an impression on - husband, children, friends.

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  8. Best post I've read about encouragement & "being great today" ever.

    It's easy to sometimes feel a disconnect. [my opinion] there are without question...days I blog then think...no one will "get" what I'm trying to say. Then....

    The emails or heck email comes in & I AM the one who is inspired. It's freaking amazing.

    It may be Chris K challenging me to an abs contest. Nelly - well just being awesome-freaking-nelly. Or a lady with 12 kids saying I inspire her?!? Huh? What? Who has 12 kids & runs like mad.

    Incredible.

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  9. You. You inspire. The motto is awesome and you and Michael are both great. You work with each other and encourage other constantly and that is inspiring.

    Keep Being Great!

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  10. This is why I started my blog. I'm an unlikely marathoner/triathlete and I'm extremely slow but that doesn't mean I can't go out and have a strong race. I'm a reformed couch potato and if I can encourage just one person to move more, then I feel like I have a purpose in this crazy world!

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  11. In the running/exercise realm of my life I read blogs that inspire me. The best days are few, but those where I'll get a note or e-mail from someone saying they are trying running because of me. My sister-in-law just let me know she did her first 5K and she never would have if I hadn't been blogging about my love of running.

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Thanks for stopping by ... your comment's always welcome!