What Is Your Yes?

In today's society convenience and instant gratification are common themes to everyday living. Technology allows for people to live in comfort, interact socially, and satisfy almost any craving or impulse they may have in an instant. However, the true pleasures in life are not granted by living everyday in comfort and satisfying impulses. True happiness is more often found through hard work and long-term dedication than through convenience and the search for immediate comfort. Finding your ambition in life, the thing that motivates you to keep working consistently over the long-term is where satisfaction and happiness lie. I would argue that to truly enjoy life you have to make sacrifices and say, "no" to the things that keep you from getting there. Decide what your highest priorities are, and have the courage to pursue them. 

One reason running can be such a powerful teacher is because it too follows these same principals of life. Distance running couldn't be further from convenient and instantly gratifying. Running teaches commitment and how to be 'ok' outside of your comfort zone. To become a better runner you must force yourself to commit to running nearly everyday, to time outside, often alone, always unplugged from society, and often outside of your comfort zone.  Often in life you have to say "no" to the temptations and focus on what you want out of life. 

Sitting on the coach by the fire always feels so much better after you've completed a long run through the cold.