Endurance is Golden on the Self Care Journey
Endurance is necessary and it is golden.
Have you ever ran a race, maybe a marathon or maybe the 1500m in high school is the longest you’ve done? Well that’s me. I have (not so great) memories of running or should I say running and walking the 1500m race or the cross country in high school. As a teenager I’m sure I complained about it but my adult mind now knows that by finishing that race my heart and my team are much happier.
During my week away recently, my friend and I decided to walk to the furtherest point of a lookout so we could get the best view. I didn’t think it looked that far and on the way down I was not thinking about what the trip back up was going to be like. All I was focused on was getting a better view of the dolphins and seeing the beach from the other side, especially because it was recommended we do so from a local.
But then we had to get back up the hill and it was steep. There were a lot of stairs and steep paths. The top seemed so far away. I was telling myself “it’s not really that far, keep going.” I’m unfit and so all I wanted to do was stop and hope a lovely helicopter would see me struggling and give me a lift! Obviously that didn’t happen!
I thought just take one step at a time. One more and one more and one more.
Then I could see the top so I thought if I jog the last bit I will get there faster. This aggravated my cough and taught me that sometimes faster isn’t always better. I’m sure a marathon runner would say that too. I think they’re taught to pace themselves so they get into a rhythm.
So what is this big long story all about?
Well I’ve been thinking about endurance lately. At the beginning I said “Endurance is necessary and it’s golden.” By the time I got to the top of that hill, I was tired and kind of grumpy, and I felt a sense of accomplishment. I did it. I did it. I endured through the pain and I did it. There was a glimpse of it feeling like a golden moment. And once I got back to the top, I was rewarded with the amazing view I saw before I walked down the hill. Part of me wishes I would have stopped a bit longer after the walk and took in the view one last time. It’s kind of like taking the time to celebrate a special moment on the endurance journey. We are often quick to keep going. It is vital on the endurance journey to remember to celebrate the achievements we accomplish. This is also an important self care tip.
What is it that you’re enduring at the moment? It’s a tough time learning endurance isn’t it? It’s tough but it’s so worth it. It doesn’t mean there won’t be tough times nearing the end also. If we don’t keep on keeping on then we won’t discover what is at the end of the challenges. We won’t see the amazing view or feel the sense of accomplishment.
So I encourage you… Keep on keeping on. I am trying to remind myself of this too at the moment. Ask a trusted friend to keep encouraging you when you’re feeling like giving up. Maybe you’re in a tough place where endurance is something you need. If that’s you, first ask someone you trust to take the journey with you. If you feel you need more support, then seeking professional help can give you a new perspective.
Take the journey. Invite friends, family and maybe a professional along for the ride.
Endurance is necessary and it is golden.
Journeez Counselling and Training, Adelaide, are specialists in Self-Care and learning to look after yourself in this fast-paced society. Please contact me today for further information about counselling or my Self-Care workshops and seminars for businesses, churches or community groups. You are also welcome to join the Journeez community by subscribing to this blog above or follow me on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Discovering Life to the Fullest.
