Rule of Life Lesson #121: Accept no limitations.
Tisha Marie Pelletier
I help businesses, nonprofits, and schools boost brand awareness and increase profits by creating customized merchandise marketing solutions.
It was Christmas 2019. We were exchanging presents at my in-laws when my brother-in-law Matt handed our family a gift.
He prefaced it with saying, "When you open it, just smile and be happy."
Sean and I looked at him and said "thank you" in a curious voice and ripped off the wrapping paper.
Inside the box was a piece of paper for all four of us, Sean, me and the kids, with a certificate outlining the details to an upcoming Spartan Sprint on February 16, 2020.
Spartan. Never heard of it, but we were now, what's the word? Ah, yes. Committed.
If you're not familiar with a Spartan Sprint, it's a 5K all outdoors with 20 obstacle courses sprinkled throughout. Everything from rope climbs and jumping in mud pits to adult monkey bars, carrying 50lb+ sand bags up and down mountains, spear throwing and scaling walls, just to name a few. If you couldn't complete the obstacle, you were on the sidelines banging out 30 burpees. Ouch.
Once we started to research the event, I could tell Sean's adrenaline rush was kicking in and he was hyped up. However, my mind veered off to the adult monkey bars freak out mode as I had a pretty horrific experience falling face flat in the mud when I was in elementary school.
Not at all the rugged, athletic type, this was going to test me on so many levels and kick my butt into gear. There wasn't any more time for scared panic attacks. There was only one thing on my mind at this point - get through the course to the finish line come hell or high water. Or, in this case muddy water.
When you venture into unchartered territory with that type of mindset, nothing phases you anymore.
The day of the sprint, my mind and body were in total sync and I just went without giving it a second thought. There really wasn't any time to let fear take over. I dove into the mud. I scaled the walls having never done anything like that before. I climbed up cargo nets to the top and back down again which truth be told, was what freaked me out most. I tried my absolute best. And I broke through all the limitations I had ever placed on myself.
Did I complete all 20 obstacles? Well, not quite. I did a total of 150 burpees that day if it tells you anything and yes it was painful, but Sean and I did cross the finish line an hour and half later, muddied, drenched and all in one piece with a medal to show for it.
The other thing we did? We established our personal best, which to this girl means we'll see you back at the starting line again this year! ??
Rule of Life Lesson #121:
About the Author:
Hi. I'm Tisha Marie Pelletier. Thanks so very much for stopping by and reading this story of mine!
After writing my life's journey in a couple of books for my kiddos Caleb and Ellie when I boarded the entrepreneurial roller coaster, it dawned on me that the story doesn't ever end. There are so many new adventures and life lessons I've encountered along the way.
So, what's my new mission?
Leave a legacy and continue writing my story on my blog while adding a little extra personality to it with video rule of life lessons. If you'd like to read the lessons I learned before this (all 88), check out my complete story from the start in my books When the Universe Throws a Curveball (2010) on Amazon and What Are the Odds (2018) on both Amazon and Audible. Catch other #ruleoflifelessons on my blog released every single Monday at https://www.tishamarieenterprises.com/category/blog/rule-of-life-lessons
Grab my complimentary e-book too while you're there The Gal's Inspirational Guide to a More Purposeful Life.
Project Manager/Lead Designer
3 年Um, this is awesome.
I help jobseekers land interviews and secure job offers ◆◆ Career Coach ◆ Resume Writer ◆ Interview Consultant
4 年This is AWESOME Tisha Marie Pelletier!
IT Program Director | Specializing in Stakeholder Engagement & Process Improvement | Marrying Technology With Strategic Growth
4 年Tisha Marie Pelletier Some couldn't even do the 150 burpees. I love the way you took the story of the gift/challenge and turned it into a great life lesson. Believing is seeing (or, in this case, doing). Congratulations!
Financial Consultant / Army Veteran
4 年That is a great gift!