In my old bedroom, there is a box of unfinished stories stuffed in folders and loose leaf notebooks. These are writings from elementary school all the way to high school. The box is filled with characters who are not fully developed ,storylines with loose ends and mysteries that still remain unsolved. As I struggled to find the motivation to write this weekend, I was reminded of this box and all the other unfinished projects in my lifetime.

My friend shared a motivational video with me the other day and there was one thing that stood out from the rest of the message. The speaker said that a lack of follow through indicates that you don’t believe you are capable of the task set before you. And as I thought on this, I realized that this applies to my pattern in life. How I tend to stop when things get too difficult or I feel as though I’m not performing to a certain standard of perfection. Deep down, I lacked faith and confidence of my own abilities.

I’m reminded of a time when I used to run. There was a moment I would reach in the middle of a good run that I call “the point of no return”. This is past the point that my legs felt like they had nothing left and my lungs were on fire. I would push past the pain and the mental blocks telling me that I need to stop and then it would suddenly become easy. My breath would steady, my legs would propel themselves further and I felt the energy to run the remaining miles. This was the point that I felt the runner’s high, knowing that I pushed myself past the mental obstacle that said “no more” “you can’t” and feeling powerful beyond measure.

And I recognize this is the approach I need to take toward my life goals, whether it be writing, exercising, eating healthier, sticking to a budget, finishing that book. There will always be a reason to believe I am incapable of completing something and it ultimately boils down to a limited belief in myself and the God I serve. Quitting when I am ahead or behind, limits the beautiful experience of knowing the inner strength I have inside of me.