People fear what is inside them.
I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.
You probably fear what is inside you.
All of your hopes and dreams, your wildest ambitions and most profound daydreams, the talents and skills and experiences you possess, the unique character perfected over years and years and years: all of these are within you.
All of these are ‘potential.’
Your hopes and dreams and wildest ambitions and most profound daydreams, and your talents and skills and experiences that make you unique –there really is no one just like you– comprise your potential.
Potential is defined; potential is almost tangible…
People naturally fear their potential. Instinct tells them to stay with the pack and go where others go. Food, water, and safety are found within culture; people gather where resources abound.
One’s own unique character is frightening; it challenges the sacred order of routine and begs adventure on one’s own terms.
“Live your dream,” unique character cries out. “Draw from the well of your experiences and skills and talents to live on your own terms.”
“Shed your potential and commit to our routine, our survival,” culture counters. “Your experiences and skills and talents aren’t of much use here; we don’t have room for your hopes and dreams and wildest ambitions and profound daydreams.”
Your unique character is wise; culture is afraid, those living in it are unfulfilled. Use your potential, your hopes and dreams and ambitions and daydreams and your experiences and skills and talents.
Draw from the well.
Take a deep breath, and explore these things.
That’s all it takes: an introspective deep breath.
One breath of air.
With the proper mindset, one of a deep yearning to explore your potential and pursue your goals, a person can do anything on just one breath of air.
It all comes down to your focus, your mindset, where your thoughts lie.
Stop. Breath.
No seriously, take a deep breath.
That right there is all you need to fulfill, to explore, to realize those profound daydreams.
That right there is all you need to accomplish what you desire.
One breath of air.
Visualize your goal, that which you have set out, or will set out, to accomplish.
Maybe you’ve just finished an ultra marathon.
Maybe you’ve just opened a restaurant.
Maybe you’ve just saved a failing relationship.
Maybe you’ve just set a record or received a promotion or secured a job.
Maybe you’re standing on a Taller Peak.
Visualize it.
What got you there? What actions prepared you for success?
With this visualization and the necessary actions determined, all you need is the air in your lungs to be successful.
You will not be stopped by adversity, by the wind and rain, or by rugged trails. You will not be stopped by blisters and cuts and bruises. Overwhelming fatigue and the draw of comfort will have no effect on your relentless forward motion.
Your mind is set firm.
Let the winds howl and the rain drench. Let the rugged trails wind up the ominous mountain. Let the blisters and cuts and bruises ache and bleed. Let fatigue and comfort scream at your mind to give in, to quit.
The strongest of storms and the most rugged of trails cannot deter you. Physical discomfort scratches at the door, begging for relevance. Fatigue and comfort scream in vain.
Your mind’s course is laid out.
You don’t need sunshine and smooth paths. You don’t need physical well-being or to be well-rested. Comfort Is A Lie.
All you need is one breath of air.
When you get to ‘mile 70,’ when your goal is still far off and you’re drowning in fatigue, take a breath.
Feel the air fill your lungs and acknowledge that you are uniquely qualified to experience greatness, to finish this race. There is no one like you with your experiences, skills, and talents; no one else can fully comprehend your hopes and dreams, your wildest ambitions and most profound daydreams.
Do you feel the air in your lungs?
Take a deep breath.
There it is. You’re still alive. Look back at the pack of others you left; they’re gathered around the food and water, imitating each other and existing as one unit of complacency.
“Simply survive,” they mumble.
Look forward at the trail you’ve chosen, this Wicked Trail, and root your mindset firmly in those hopes and dreams, your wildest ambitions and most profound daydreams.
Root your mindset firmly in your values and beliefs.
This ultra marathon you’ve chosen, this Wicked Trail, is meant for you because you’ve come to understand your unique potential, those things inside you, and you’ve taken your breath.
It’s all you need: one breathe of air.
Welcome to the Wicked Trail.