DAY 66: Morning Motivation- Strength in Purpose

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will."

-Mahatma Gandhi

Today in my philosophy class, we continued watching the movie “Chariots of Fire”. As I mentioned last week, the movie is about two British runners, Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams, in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. In one part of the movie, Eric refuses to run in the qualifying heat for the 100 meter run because it is on Sunday, the Sabbath. A number of influential British bureaucrats try to talk him into running on Sunday to show his loyalty for his country, but Eric says he will not put his country before God. Eric said that he runs to honor God. His service to God is his greater purpose in life, greater than one race. As a solution to Eric’s dilemma, one of his teammates gives up his spot in the 400 meter run so that Eric does not have to run on Sunday.

At the conclusion of this scene, the Duke of Southerland pulls Lord Birkenhead aside and makes that comment that he was glad that Eric had not given in to running on Sunday, although it would have been good for England. He says, “The ‘lad’, as you call him, is a true man of principles and a true athlete. His speed is a mere extension of his life, its force. We sought to sever his running from himself.”

Running is only a small part of your whole life. Therefore, if you intend to excel in running through discipline and persistence, you must make it a habit to apply discipline and persistence to all areas of your life. Eric’s strength wasn’t in his physical appearance. Eric’s strength was in his dedication to his purpose in life. Eric had a clear view as to why he was put hear on Earth, and he intended to use his talents to the best of his ability to honor God.

I think the worst feeling in the world is losing one’s sense of purpose. When concentrating on such a concrete goal as a single race, one can easily lose focus of the big picture. We focus so intently on finishing the race that, once it’s over, we have nothing else to work towards. The key is to keep the “big picture” in mind, your mission here on earth. Frequently remind yourself why you are training. It is much easier to train when you are motivated by a worthwhile purpose. When you keep focus on your purpose, your inner strength will push you farther than you’ve ever gone before.

TODAY’S WORKOUT:

Warm-up 1 mile

Run 4 miles

Cool down ½ mile