I love tests. Ever since I was in school, I loved the opportunity to test my knowledge, my memory and my mastery of a skill. This morning’s running test set was no different, and regardless of the outcome of the test (of which I was actually quite pleased), the best results of any test is simply found in being tested.
Tests are meant not only to challenge us, but to expand us. As I pushed the pace down to a 5:27 minute mile this morning after 55 minutes of hard running, I found myself at my heart rate and exertion max. And then I pushed it for another 90 seconds past what I originally thought I could do. There is nothing more gratifying than living and experiencing the internal breakdown of one’s own perceived limitations. Those extra seconds of push, of holding to the thought of never, never, never give up, and of letting my body breakdown before my mind did felt more amazing than I can possibly describe.
Life is full of tests. Physical ones, mental ones, emotional ones. All of great worth, all of great potential to make us better versions of ourselves. Tests are hard, don’t let me sugar-coat them, but I challenge you to give thanks for every test you are given; as you grow in gratitude, you will find yourself loving tests the way I do and loving the opportunity to shatter your own perceived limitations. Remember, there is great honor is being tested, so, no matter how hard your current tests in life may be, never, never, never give up.