Take Pride in Small Accomplishments

Entertainment and the media have long been dwarfing our sense of accomplishment and significance. A quick YouTube search for anything that you’re proud of will put you in your place. Never before have the most impressive feats of the world been so readily available. With so many beautiful faces, astonishing videos and unbelievable news stories, what have we left to feel proud of?

I’m proud of many things. In fact, I’m proud of being proud, as though I were fighting off the collective yawns of the world. I’m proud of anything I’ve accomplished by intentionalism and effort. I’m proud of self improvement and the improvement of my environment. I’m proud of my family and friends and of our relationships. I’m even proud of my gifts and things I’ve not worked to accomplish, however inappropriately so.

Today, after three months of restraint and determination, despite bad knees and repeatedly reinjuring my toe, I’ve run for 10 consecutive minutes. Despite the accomplishments of my idols, barefoot ultramarathoners and entire tribes of Indians who run for days in the unforgiving Copper Canyons of Mexico, I’m proud of running for 10 minutes, on a cool afternoon, with shoes, nearly as slowly as I walk. It’s not the feat itself for which I’m proud – 10 minutes is merely a milestone. I’m proud of my self-discipline and perseverance. I’m proud of my patience and self-respect. I’m proud knowing that it’s the character traits that have allowed me to progress safely from 30 seconds per day to an average of 4 minutes per day, that will allow me to safely progress from a 10 minute long run to an hour long run, a marathon or more. The challenges will shift and grow or simply multiply to include cardiovascular endurance, leg strength, not overdoing it when I hit dream mode near 50 minutes, and dealing with the wall near the marathon mark. Fortunately, I’m not fighting marathon fatigue and epic dreams with a prideful 10 minute milestone. I’m fighting patiently for a never ending story of accomplishment with self-discipline, determination and perseverance.

Of course, the very next day…