If you are not challenged, you will not be changed

If you are not challenged, you will not be changed.

I don't remember if I've heard or read this somewhere, or if it just came to me, but it is true. If I am not challenged to get better at something, meet a goal, see something, etc., I never will. But this also goes along with that "will to persevere" thing... I have to (you have to) have the "will" to do it, to be challenged. And it can be a pain in the ass and often inconvenient, but the results and rewards are tremendous.

I have been struggling to maintain my physical activity (running) goals in the face of the various priorities and interruptions of "life" and it is difficult - it is a hard balance. And this is where the challenge part comes to play: I challenge myself to meet my goals and to accomplish certain things. And often by accepting these challenges, I am in effect, more than halfway there because in my head, I'm already doing it. It's kind of interesting from a mental viewpoint. And meeting and exceeding those goals is an incredible feeling.

For example, I've noted that when I'm gearing up to run 3 miles or 18, my head is already into the fact that I am going to run the target distance. Why? Because that is what my goal is, that is what I want to accomplish. I start running and I'm done when I'm done. And when I finish my run, I am fully satisfied because I did what I said I was going to do. Obviously this applies to all other areas of life...

I am challenged, and I will continue to change for the better.