As a runner, I was Superman. But, that was a while ago.
When I started running marathons, I thought I was invincible.
Tag: Motivation
The Mystery Tour
This is the third installment of a three part series that discussed the creative competition between the Beatles and the Beach Boys in the mid-1960’s.
Please click here for Part One – Getting Better
Please click here for Part Two – The Power of the Individual
Ramanujan!
It has been said, although I would hardly claim this as an absolute fact, that a person only will need to read a year’s worth of my blog posts to learn, as much, or more than any traditional four year program at Harvard University or Trinity College in Cambridge.
It has been said, although, I have never had the theory tested, that readers of this blog will see their IQs grow by no fewer than 25 points over the course of a calendar year.
Mind you, these are just claims with no definitive proofs. Because we’d need proof. Or so they told Srinivasa Ramanujan. But, alas! I am getting ahead of myself.
The Power of the Individual
(If you missed Part I of this series, you may wish to go back and read it. This passage builds off a central theme of that first piece.)
Sometimes when we hear the exploits or passions of people or groups that are highly successful we think, “That’s great, but that can’t be me.” We often tend to downplay our own impact on others. We doubt our abilities to make a positive difference.
And, bluntly, sometimes that is easier. It is much easier to say, “I can’t” than to go out and try to change the world, or if not the world, something in your own life. Often times, we look at the roadblocks, real or perceived, that will prevent us from working towards a worthy goal.
Kintsugi
My son came home from college, and in a discussion with me brought up a Japanese word, Kintsugi, that immediately opened up my mind to many thoughts.
It’s wonderful to find new words, new ideas, and new ways of thinking.
And, just for the record, kintsugi is now my new favorite word.
Running is Hard. Life is Hard. It’s all Good!
I like to run. A lot. I like running very much (so I like running a lot). I also like to run a lot of miles (so I like running a lot). (I like when a sentence such as “I like running a lot” can be interpreted two different ways.)
When I run, which is most often on a treadmill at irrational hours of the early morning, I usually listen to music on my iPod. I often get inspired by inspiring songs. (I wonder how many other obvious statements I can write in this passage.)
I find every run, no matter what the distance, to be hard. Every single run presents a challenge.
Continue reading “Running is Hard. Life is Hard. It’s all Good!”
Just Start Writing
Recently I ran into one of my biggest fears. The week was drawing to a close and I did not have any thoughts or new material for a weekly passage that I write for teachers. (Those weekly passages helped give birth to this blog.)
I am a believer in a theory I termed, “Just Start Writing.” I find that when I start to put words to the page, my creative juices start to flow, the blank page disappears, and a passage (at least in rough draft form) is completed.
What follows is a reflection that I originally wrote for teachers, but I believe the bigger message can be applied for all.
Dr. Sem's Blog 