Perseverance...

http://inthelabrynth.blogspot.com/2008/08/perseverance.html

From a good friend of mine who blogs at a site inthelabrynth.blogspot.com who is not only one of the fittest physical individuals I have ever met also has a maturing spiritual outlook on life and an expression well worth listening to.........

What makes one strive for excellence? As sit and watch the Olympic games at the physical capabilities of some, wonder in amazement at their natural talent, their worked capabilities and their mind of such purity, blankness and strength. As each event passes, some beyond recognition, some leave the rest of the best of the world for dust. But in most events it is very close, and each individual competitor is well aware of this, they have worked years for this one event, to prove to themselves and to the world, to their peers, to their families and loved ones, and to those they hold dear to them, that they are the best in the world, all that compete, believe they can do it, otherwise they wouldn't be there. So what distinguishes Athlete to Athlete? when approaching the line, so close, when running that marathon, with a few kms to go, they all push, they push hard, they are all full of fitness, full of strength, as fatigued as they are, as sore as each joint is, as each of their lower backs scream for softness, for a pain free second, they all push through it, they've been there before, its nothing new.

is it purely physical that gets them over the line, or does something higher drive them to victory? i would like to say it is a combination of bother, as fit and strong and powerful as each individual athlete is, one is always better than the other physically, it is simply how it is, but on the day, it all changes, the past means nothing, now means everything, all the athlete has is NOW! physically the other may be better, but on the day, it can all change...

the mind prepares the body for everyday work, for those grueling training sessions that you don't want to do because your body is burning, it is aching, another 3 years before the Olympics, you can't do it your mind keeps telling you, but then you focus, your mind alters its position within yourself in relation to yourself and your mental state of being. your mind allows you to focus, your mind allows you to persevere, its about setting a mind set and having the single mindedness and commitment to hold that close to your reach, as your body strengthens through focus and intelligent wise training, your mind also strengthens.

You see here a domino effect is created between mind and body, the two are separate, yet the two are one in the same, they are integrated, they are one, and rely on each other.

What get them over the line before the other, focus, dedication, physical attributions, but primarily it's a purity of mind, this purity is so pure and clean that no other thought penetrates you or exists... It is all that you know, and the athlete is self absorbed and attentive inwardly...