You know the saying. "It takes a village to raise a child." It was attributed to an old African proverb before a former first lady used it to title a book and stirred political controversy. This isn't a post about politics, though. It is a reflection on how it seems that it is going to take a village to get me to that NYC marathon finish line.
Fortunately, my village is well populated. My doctors (a Doctor of Osteopathy and a chiropractor) are also athletes and have been very helpful in diagnosing and alleviating my aches and pains, as well as helping me figure out the most valuable nutrition to keep me strong. I've signed on with a clinic/workshop that will analyze my gait and help me with proper form. My yoga teacher is doing her best to make me more flexible. God love her. She's young and enthusiastic. She'll learn. My massage therapist diligently works the concrete out of my IT band, even though she's mouthier about it than I would like. Good thing she's my daughter or I wouldn't take her lip. And I have to say she made me more aware of it and now I use my foam roller with more determination, which has really helped.
All these professionals are certainly making my journey easier. But, the most important villagers are the ones who are cheering me on. First and foremost is my family, particularly my man who is always my loudest cheerleader and most faithful encourager. My daughters inspire and encourage me, with words and lifestyles. I also belong to a wonderful online community of runners called Daily Mile which has so many encouraging voices that it builds and sustains me, even on those off days. I have friends who run, not as many as I would like, but they're getting there. And, I'm constantly meeting people and find we have a running connection, which is always motivating.
The point here is that we need community around us. People who believe in us and help us achieve our goals. Those who push, inspire, encourage, motivate, and lift us to up to be our very best. People who tell us what we need to hear, even when we don't want to hear it. Those who don't do those things need to take a backseat in our lives. Not be cut out, but we need to tune out those voices so that we can hear the rhythm of our footsteps pounding along. I'm very blessed that all those in my immediate circle are cheerleaders, not nay sayers. Because along this journey, there will be doubt. I've experienced it already. I'm sure I will feel it again.
This journey is about so much more than a marathon. Learning who I am in the face of adversity. Becoming a problem solver about health/nutrition issues rather than following the "party line" of taking a pill to overcome. Pushing myself to physical limits to become stronger makes me able to push my emotional/spiritual limits to become a better person. Overcoming obstacles to achieve goals. Learning the discipline that comes with goal setting. Deciding what my limits are and when it's okay to push them. All this and so much more is being pounded into my soul step by step.
I'm so thankful for my village. I know that He who has promised is faithful and that He will bring to me all that I need as I seek His perfect will in my life.
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10: 23-25
