In It to Win It

Today's prompt in the My 500 Words challenge is to edit a previous work.

I wrote the following words at the half-way mark in my 31-day journey―or so I thought. Today is my fifty-fourth day of writing. I've written 30,594 words this year for an average of 567 words a day.

 

The prompt for Day 16 was to write about hope and to pen words to encourage ourselves as well as others within the challenge.



 "Because you can't do anything halfway, 

you've got to go all the way in anything you do."

―Jerry Bruckheimer

The halfway mark in any challenge is the point when people fatigue and consider quitting. It’s essential at this milepost to dig deep and make a rigorous effort to go the distance. Envisioning the finish line as a reality is the hope that will sustain us as we persevere.

Several years ago, I participated in a 5K road race. The day was humid with sweltering temperatures in the nineties. Even though it was an evening race, and the route threaded its way through a large grove of trees, nothing could take away the searing misery of that run. I did everything mentally and physically possible to stay in the race. I sang songs in my head, counted my steps, splashed water in my face at water stations, recited scripture, and envisioned my husband and friends waiting for me at the finish line. I didn’t want to let them down, but above all, I didn’t want to let myself down. A personal best was not on my mind―finishing was.

Reaching the halfway mark in the race was not only a welcome milestone, it was a fork in the road. I could choose to opt out, or I could decide to keep running.
 
I kept running.

In spite of my discomfort, I knew I would finish the race. My decision to complete it was not made at the halfway point. I resolved to finish the race at its onset.
 
I chose victory at the starting line. 

"Blessed are those whose strength is in you . . . 

They go from strength to strength."

―Psalm 84:7, NIV

Are you in the midst of a strenuous journey? Whether you're at the starting line, the halfway point, or somewhere in-between, it's never too late to choose victory. Keep running!

I always welcome your comments.

Starr