Endurance

Endurance is a word we usually give to an extraordinary athletic event, or to characterize the ability to sustain a difficult athletic output over a long period of time: the “endurance” athlete who runs marathons; having the endurance to trek 100 miles through the desert. It’s not a word that just belongs to the physical athlete, however. Endurance also applies to the soul.

The one constant in life is change, as we all know. Recently, we changed to a new calendar year. Many people instilled new changes in their life in response. Other changes come as surprises: a rejected college application, a divorce or death, a new job opportunity that comes with new responsibilities and workloads, a new relationship, or a relocation. Change – whether perceived as positive or negative, to our best interest or seemingly our worst – shuffles the deck, throws things in the air, and brings challenges. How we handle those challenges determines both the “what” and the quality of that which we, ultimately, make as a future for ourselves.

Endurance, by definition, is “the ability to endure an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way (1)”. Without giving way. When changes and challenges come our way we can either be buckled by them, or continue pushing through, getting off balance and right again or falling and getting back up… or not. Not giving way means holding onto a core essence in ourselves that is oriented to our personal bigger picture – the far off point to which we constantly navigate, regardless of the shifting daily winds and waves. Maybe it is a commitment to being a better father, helping others, or seeking wisdom and truth. Keeping our inner compass focused on this far off point, or bigger picture, gives us the resolve to push past momentary discomforts… or even the capacity to welcome and incorporate them as part of our growing process.

There’s another side to the coin of change and that is wanting change, working for change, and even visualizing change… and then cutting out when change doesn’t happen fast enough, or when change comes in a package that doesn’t look like what was envisioned. Wanting and asking for change also requires endurance, enduring the ‘difficult process’ that is a part of every growth and shift without giving way to our impatient doubts, criticisms, and disappointments.

Synonyms for endurance include: tolerance, patience, acceptance, stoicism, continuance, durability, and longevity. Longevity, holding the course, being tolerant of what comes, accepting that all of life is a process, and learning how to get on top of the wave and surf it instead of getting pulled under. Each of these synonyms for endurance are elements of adaptability and resilience – key factors for navigating life in a positive and healthy manner.

I see often that people cut and run before the miracle can happen. That, when change and shifts don’t come fast enough, they jump to another topic or shut back down; when life changes too fast or too unexpectedly they close off or duck into hiding. Holding tight without giving way, however, brings us to the other side of the challenge… and brings us reward. Often the reward is the inner growth and accomplishment that no one sees but ourselves. The endurance athlete will tell you that a great part of the reward is knowing and proving the resolve of just being able to do it. The 100 mile desert is trekked just because it’s there… and the thrill is in challenging the self to do it.

Today we are told a very different message. We’re told to swipe a face we don’t like, take an aspirin if we have pain, want something and have it delivered in two hours. This trains us to be very change and challenge averse. Gone are the times of three month pilgrimages to find a guru, fasting for days to prepare oneself to receive a high spiritual message, building our own house. “Working hard” and “endurance” are concepts that are sliding into sports analogies, and rarely found in conversations for training and refining our inner Selves. There are too many weekend certificates for us to appreciate the concept of intense study, the rigors of discipline. The depth of lessons delivered slowly and after much effort.

Fortunately, however, endurance is a strength. It can be cultivated. It’s a new year – many “news” are on our calendars … it’s a good time to ask ourselves how we are going to approach them. Are we ready to take our soul on the 100 mile trek? The great dreamer Joseph had his big dream and then was sold into slavery, worked as a servant, was falsely accused and landed in prison and still he never gave it up until it was realized. Great dreaming requires endurance.

Happy Dreaming!

1. Google online dictionary.
2. photo credit: Free photo 4606254 © Albertus B W Van Niekerk – Dreamstime.com