While I was perusing Instagram the other day, I came across a funny video that Elisa Kurylowicz (@elisakurylowicz) posted, of two running monks that she came across on one of her runs. These were two monks that were in their robes and sandals running and smiling. In fact, one of them had his hands in the air and was waving them like he just didn’t care, while he was running! Probably because he didn’t. My initial reaction was; FUNNY!
However, while I was running, I started to think about this some more and it hit me like a brick; this is badassery at its highest level! I mean, these guys are monks, and you would think that they would be off doing monk stuff somewhere, but they want to run. They didn’t have running shoes and moisture wicking clothing, they had robes and sandals! But they wanted to run, so they ran.
They didn’t paint themselves in to a box and say, “Well, we are monks, so that means we cannot do anything else.” No, they became running-monks! How frickin awesome is that? So, that got me thinking about how so many people limit themselves and create their own boxes. “I’m a (parent, full time worker, full time student, etc.), so I cannot be a (runner, painter, blogger, badass, etc.) BS! Every day I hear people say “I wish I could run 10 miles. I wish I had more money.” When I hear this, what I really hear is “I am not willing to do what it takes to run 10 miles. I am not willing to do what it takes to make more money.”
You can do anything that you want to do if you really want to do it! You want to open up a bakery, but you are a busy parent, sit down and figure it out. Become the best damn parent-bakery owner in the world. Don’t make excuses, make plans. One of your lifetime goals is to run a marathon, but you work 50 to 60 hours a week. Guess what? At every single marathon, there are finishers who have full time jobs and are parents, just like you. Don’t paint yourself in to that box! Go be a running-monk.
I understand that this is an oversimplified explanation, BUT, it is what many people, including myself really do. My life is just as hectic as the next guys. I am married, I work full-time, I have a family, AND I run 50 to 70 miles every week to prepare for my races. Not to mention working on this blog! I realized that I am a running-monk. And you know what? That’s just frickin awesome!
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Great blog. If you want it, work for it. Find and make the time to put in the work to reach your goals.
James, you definitely have been doing just that. It has been such a privilege to work with you and see you work and then get the results! That is what I love about running, you strip away everything and it comes down to did you put in the work? That applies to just about everything in life! Peace Joe the Runner
I love this! Don’t make excuses make plans. Go be a…Seek your joy. Be awesome. Yay Joe! Yay me! Yay everyone that means you. Why not? What you dream about is anxiously waiting for you to make you happy. Be a. Running Monk…That’s what this means to me.
Thanks Joe.
Rose, so true. What will REALLY make you happy is right there in front of you, you just have to have the guts to grab it! Just like these Monks did!!! Peace Joe the Runner
Hi Joe, besides my friend who died of colon cancer which in turn spurred me to change my ways permanently, I also distinctly remember a chap I saw on YouTube a couple of years ago who did public speaking for a living, he spoke about how nothing is impossible if you willing to make the effort and the required sacrifices. It especially struck a chord with me as this man had literally no arms and legs what so ever, physically he was a torso with a head attached, but my god he was larger than life, he was the biggest entity in the conference hall in that particular video clip I watched.
The positivity that flowed out of him was tangible.
When things get a litttle tough in my life I always think of him and ask myself “what’s your excuse again, didn’t catch that last bit ??? “.
Thanks for the blog Joe excellent piece and much appreciated.
I’ll go for a run in my sandals tomorrow, but look I’m gonna have to duct tape them to me feet first and then go for a run as I’m lacking those all important monk running skills. ????
Regards.
Herman, the gentleman you speak of is Nick Vujicic, and he is truly AMAZING. Here is a link to some recent stuff that he put out, but I encourage people to really look at his story from the beginning. He is the baddest running-monk in the world!!! Peace Joe the Runner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=707VD48BuOs
This is so true! Making a change or accomplishing a goal starts in the mind… the brain is the hardest muscle to train!
Sarah, couldn’t agree more. A lot of running is the ability to be in the moment and embrace whatever it is you are feeling. You cannot worry about the past or future, just one foot in front of the other… Peace Joe the Runner