A collection of quotes that have spoken to me lately:

“The illusion is that the finish line is the destination, but the act itself is the destination” – Ben Affleck as Phil Knight in AIR

We’ve all heard something like that a million times but this time it really spoke to me, surprisingly, not about running (which it was about in the movie) but about healthy eating. It’s a lifelong journey.

Jen and I at AIR

“Getting back in shape is never easy, but, as I kept reminding myself, being in shape is awesome” – Des Linden, Choosing to Run: A Memoir

It sure is! This is kind of another journey vs destination quote – being in shape is awesome but takes a lot of constant hard work.

“The poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote ‘No feeling is final’” – Kara Goucher, The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike’s Elite Running Team

Goucher was using this quote when talking about an injury. She knew it wasn’t forever but the feelings it gave her made her feel like it was. It’s so easy to feel that way when in a funk. This quote is a good reminder for me to go back to when I am.

“The writer Anaïs Nin had it right when she noted that ‘shame is the lie someone told you about yourself’” – Kara Goucher, The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike’s Elite Running Team

Gosh, Goucher had so much shame about what happened to her when she was at Nike Oregon Project. Even though these things weren’t her fault, she believed the story others were weaving to make her feel that way. It’s a heartbreaking read.

This quote made me think about finding your people who accept you exactly as you are and don’t shame you for being yourself. This is different than how Goucher used it, but that’s where my head went.

“Even in the dark soul, a seed is becoming something beautiful” – saw on a rock on Instagram

A reminder that just because growth isn’t visible doesn’t mean it’s not happening! Also a reminder that some people want to keep their growth personal, and not broadcast it, and that’s okay!