I love celebrating the amazing, rare, and good in the world. News of destruction, massacres, killings, abuse and of other evils happening all around us, can makes us question why to even dare to bring kids to this wretched world, to suffer, when this world is not even good for us already here.
A few weeks ago, a 15-year-old teen died of a Fentanyl overdosed, a drug so easily accessible and deadly (not the same form used in healthcare). Some might say, “what’s the big deal? people die all the time”. But it was a big deal for me, he died right in front of my eyes despite all the efforts made to revive him. I watched his mother begging and pleading “to come back”, but he never did. And just recently in my metroplex, a shooting inside a local hospital took the life of two nurses. Believe it or not, it happened in a labor and delivery unit, one of the most secured areas. A man shot them in cold blood, without any provocation and without hesitation, just because they happened to be there caring for new moms and babies. What’s wrong with this world?!
In the Bible, Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”
In a dark room, light will displace darkness, in any direction is aimed to, it will shine everything that touches. So, this is my small effort in displacing darkness, by just merely sharing the light of good people. During the upcoming weeks, and in preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I’ll be sharing uplifting, encouraging, brave stories, of ordinary and others not so ordinary people around the world who have redefined success, not by winning a price, reward or recognition, but for their determination to give the best of themselves, look the good in others, believe in humanity and just make the world a better place.
Today, I want to share the light of a runner, Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya.
Please, if you are not a runner, or don’t like running, or not able to run, it’s not my intention to make you feel guilty, or anything else than “amazing”. We are all good at something, and that is something for you to discover and cultivate. But precisely because we are all different and like or do different things, it’s good to share the different shades and colors of light we all bring to the world.
For those of us who run, me included (sometimes), running can be described as an accelerating freedom and strength. Running is an incredible venue to clear the mind, relieve anxiety, lighten up emotions and boost estamina. Otherwise, people who participate in races and marathons wouldn’t put the hours, dedication, time, and hard work into it. What is something else to praise about Eliud, is not just his preparation and agility, is where he comes from. I loved seeing clips of him running dirt roads next to pastures with cows and other animals, humble dwellings, and surrounded by others runner. His philosophy, values, and perspective towards running is profound and applicable to many aspects in life.
So, . . . go find your shade and color of light and shine on everything (or anyone) you touch.
Our philosophy:
“The journey to wellness, is about taking one step at a time”
