"Does it ever get any easier?" I asked the two runners I had just met on the trail as we stopped to exchange greetings.
I'd been increasing my exercise routine weekly and was now up to running 35 minutes straight. I was huffing and puffing as we talked.
"If you never push yourself, yes, it will get easier. If you just continue at the same pace though, you won't gain much", said the one who looked like she was an experienced runner.
"It sucks no matter what you do", said the other girl who seemed to be sweating and huffing, like me. I could relate to her.
"JUST EMBRACE THE SUCK" she finally said with a sigh and a frown. We all laughed.
Yep. Anytime we try to reach for our dreams, calling, desires...whatever we think we were created to do, there are times when it just sucks.
Using the running analogy, it's rarely 'fun' to get up at 5:00 a.m., pray, eat some protein and then head out to the trail by 6:00 a.m. I feel like I'm going to die most of the run. Every day I feel like I just can't make it but I keep going. I sweat like a rainstorm and breathe heavy like a dragon minus the fire coming out my nostrils. I've never been a long distance runner so it's taking me a while to build up stamina.
When I am finished with this self-inflicted torture, the pay-off is worth it. My mind is having a hay day and the good chemicals in my brain are being released. I write songs, blogs, plan concerts, design merchandise and get new marketing ideas - all while I'm dying in my body.
There's another payoff to all of this...at least when it comes to exercise. I am losing weight. My clothes are fitting better AND I'm heading toward reaching one of my many goals for the Christmas show in December.
Do I love getting up early to work on my goals? Nope.
Do I love sweating a flood worth of water when I run? Nope.
Do I hurt when I get back? Yep.
Do I like when my jeans fit better? Yep.
Do I like the creativity my mind engages in while I exercise? Absolutely!
Do you want to win at what you think you were created to be and do?
Sorry....you're gonna have to...ya know...embrace the suck.
