We all want to be the best we can be. But how? We live in such a competitive world that we often fall into the trap of trying to be not our best, but better than the other person. This of course only leads to frustration, jealousy and an unfulfilled life. So how can we be the best version of ourselves?
In the 1970s and 80s America was producing great runners, the Greater Boston track club had six guys that could run a marathon in 2:12. Fast forward to Sydney 2000. Australia was hosting the Olympics the qualifying time for the marathon was 2:14, remember just a few years prior we had six guys from one track club running a 2:12 marathon, now we couldn’t find one person that could do it. Rod DeHaven squeaked in at just under 2:15, he ran and came in 69th hardly something to brag about. So what happened?
What changed? Our approach changed.
In 1984 the Olympics opened to professionals. It became artificial, all about getting stuff, and getting it now, medals, deals, endorsements and money. It was no longer an art it became a business. It became transactional. I do this and I’ll get that!
For us to be our best we’ve got to understand our design. Our life was not intended by God to be about stuff, deals, money etc… When life is lived for “What’s in it for me” it becomes cheap, artificial, superficial and disappointing. To be the best me is not to live for me, but to be the best me I can be, is to live for others. Life is not in the getting but in the giving. Life is not a transaction, if it is I’ll never give my best thus I’ll never become my best.
The greatest Olympians have always been those that did what they did for the love of the game and the love of others. Selfishness is a killer, selflessness is a life giver. You can be the best me, just do what you do for the enjoyment of it and the benefit of others.
To get this and more, you can preview the first part of the series, “Born To Run” and begin your journey today.
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