6:38am
Sunday morning...12 Aug '12
Whew.......!!!
Woke up in time to see the conclusion (picked up about mile 16) of the Olympic Men's Marathon around London. A courageous Ugandan won...stunning pull away from two Kenyans.
One of the men I'm close to in this life, Jacob Kitonsa, and his family, wife--Sarah, and four splendid kids are from Uganda. Had the delight of briefly talking with him at the end of the marathon early this morning as he was boarding a plane in Miami for another exceptional mission in Haiti. Jacob is one of the stellar developing young leaders with Compassion International, and is heading to that island country to encourage the more than amazing Leadership Development Program CI has there.
Meb Keflezighi, our leading marathon man from the US of A, came in 4th...a significant feat considering he's one of the "olde men" at 37. He gave a tribute to his father for rescuing him and his family from poverty conditions..and mentioned he had written a book, Run To Overcome...a rather remarkable story from which we could all gain inspiration:
Jacob, mentioned above, whom I easily and lovingly call my African son (...by his request and encouragement, who calls me Papa Wes--meaningful story here for another day...), also has quite a story of his own. Other Africans I know do as well (...Olivia...Anthony...)...what is it with these amazing souls!?!.......alive, against all odds.
When Meb Keflezighi won the New York City Marathon in 2009—the first American to do so in 27 years—some critics questioned whether the Eritrean-born runner was “really” an American despite his citizenship status and representing the USA on two Olympic and several World Championship teams. Yet Meb is the living embodiment of the American dream.
Meb's family came to the U.S. to escape from a life of poverty and a violent war with Ethiopia; Meb was 12 at the time, spoke no English, and had never raced a mile. Yet he became an A student and a high school state and national champion. And when he stood on the platform as a silver medalist in the 2004 Olympics, Meb knew his hard work and determination had paid off. How could life be any better?
Then it all came crashing down. Meb, a favorite for the Beijing Olympics, fractured his pelvis during the trials and was left literally crawling. His close friend and fellow marathoner suffered a cardiac arrest at the trials and died that same day. Devastated, Meb was about to learn whether his faith in God, the values his parents had taught him, and his belief that he was born to run were enough to see him through.
Run to Overcome tells the inspirational story of a man who discovered the real meaning of victory, and who embodies the American spirit of overcoming the odds. I sincerely enjoyed watching him be happy with 4th place in London today...knowing he had done his best...at his ripe, old "running age."
So where will you be doing your best today
...and tomorrow
...and all the rest of your days
...in all the 8 dimensions of your own good life?
What will it take for you to get moving?
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