Never Settle. Plain and Simple.

I love runners. (Okay, maybe not all runners!) Perhaps safer to say, I love the positive outlook of most runners.*

I recently read this quote from Nelson Mandela:

“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

This quote has danced around in my head for the past couple of days, but the essence of this message has been stirring inside me for some time now:
Never Settle

Runners live this message! At least they do on the track. And in a race. And on long runs. And while cross training. (Is there time for anything else?) I rarely hear a runner mumble “That’s good enough,” “that’s fine” or “what else could I do?” Nope. That’s because most runners know they are always capable of becoming better.

I am not suggesting that every runner I know is looking to get faster – but they are usually setting a goal of one kind or another. My friend Kay is close to her goal of running a marathon in every state! Roxanne is training for her first marathon and Kim is contemplating which will be her first. Laura completed her first Half Ironman, while Heather, Ann and I have half-joked (I think) about training for one in 2012. I am sure Rebecca will join us – sans the training!! (In the meantime, I have a more modest goal of finishing a half marathon in under 2:30 – and staying clear of ambulances!) And I know for a fact that this same ambition and passion spills over into the day to day lives of all of these runners.

Perhaps that’s what I love about runners – their passion. In my opinion, passion is what makes getting up in the morning worthwhile! Passion ignites ambition, discovers joy and ultimately lets you live the life you deserve to be living. Why would you want to settle for anything less?

Now grab your sneakers and go hug a runner! (one of the nice ones!)

*Anymore disclaimers and I can become a member of the IBM legal team!