Update on Running Courage
Because the universe has a way of bringing things to you that are what you need, when you need it, on the same day I wrote about Running Courage, I saw the movie “Soul Surfer.” If you’re not familiary with Bethenny Hamilton’s story, she’s the young girl whose arm was bit off by a huge shark while surfing in Hawaii. She survived but of course lost her arm. The movie is the story of her efforts to get back in the water, relearn how to surf, compete in a surfing competition, fail to qualify, and resolve to work harder and eventually succeed in her dream of becoming a pro surfer. Talk about courage!
When she failed to move on past the amateur surfing competition she would have owned had she had both arms, she almost gave up surfing. Though her veins were filled with salt water, she dreamt of surfing, and her entire world revolved around surfing (i.e. being homeschooled so she could hit the waves during peak times), she was going to turn her back on everything she was and figure out a new path. After her mission trip to Thailand, she decided she’s going to give surfing one more shot – all or nothing – surf or sink. With the help and support of her family, church group, and close friends, she trained, practiced, and adapted her surfboards to allow her to deep dive under the waves and get herself out of the impact zone. There were no guarantees she’d make it past the first heat of the next competition. There were no guarantees about anything, but she tried. So long as she continued to try she was not a failure. She had the courage to get in the water – a stunning feat all on its own. She had the courage to go for what she wanted though by all rights she could have just quit, laid down, given up, and probably regretted it the rest of her life.
Two days ago I participated in the World Famous Camp Pendleton Mud Run, the race that I was so fearful of when I wrote Running Courage. The morning of the race I felt strange. Nervous yes, anxious yet, and excited yes. But I wasn’t scared. I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to finish the race. What I didn’t know was how well I would do. I can honestly say I’m not disappointed with my results. I’m actually really please with myself. I’m actually proud of myself. I’ve gained a new self-confidence; the type that doesn’t diminish my accomplishments like I used to. I’m really good at saying, “oh, I did good but ….”, or “yeah I did it but ….” No more! I love and respect myself enough to say I did it and not insult those who are proud of me too by saying that it’s not a big deal.
I don’t care that there were hundreds of people who ran it faster than me and I don’t care that I beat dozens of others. I’m simply grateful that I was able to do it.
