A Strong Mind is Everything !

A big Kudos and shout out to my little girl (sister) gautami guzraty for having completed a 4 hours run (24 kms - ADR Ultra 5.0) on Saturday night, without any practise. She is more into yoga these days and maybe that helped her to finish her run with ease. But? what I would like to highlight here most importantly is, her strong willpower and mental toughness that she displays in challenging situations which makes her a winner always!?

We both had registered for this event and we both had not practiced to participate in this event, but Gautami chose to run the event and I backed off because I was not prepared at all. I like to plan, prepare and execute and when this format is missing I don't participate. For me, it is better to be safe than sorry ! While Gautami believes in doing the work, however, unplanned and messy things are. (Just like Salman Khan says in one of his movies - “Ek Baar Jo Maine Commitment Kardi, Uske Baad Toh Main Khud Ki Bhi Nahi Sunta…”) I appreciate this trait a lot in her. Unlike me, she believes that everything need not be perfect at all times, but you must take the plunge ! I dissuaded her from running this event numerous times hinting at excuses and obstacles that she may encounter going unprepared for a long run as it had also rained that evening. As simple and clear as she could be, she told me "you please drop me at the start point before the start time and come to pick me up at the finish line after 4 hours, if anything happens in between, I will call you, so don't worry". Sandeep & I went to drop her at the race venue and I wished her good luck to finish strong. I was worried for her and secretly wished that she finished her run today that she so strongly wanted to participate in and complete as well. [Not to forget, she has run a few 10K events unprepared in the past as well.]

There I could see her with a smiling face at the finish line and happily she rushed to collect the medal that she earned. I clicked a few pictures for her. We drove home happily and I enjoyed hearing the story of her 24 kms. I am so happy and proud of her for accumulating big-small victories in her basket every now and then, in her own way !?

When we say physical health is important and we put more emphasis on that aspect of our lives, a dear friend and I were discussing last week on one of our regular calls, that Mental Health is more important. I believe that if you are mentally strong, you can conquer the world ! The mentally strongest people in my life have been My Mother, My Sister and our Family Doctor, whom I admire tremendously for the grit and valour that they show time and again in the journey called life and I respect them for emerging victorious at all times. Cheers & More Power to them !?

Some key takeaways for me are:

1. Be Fearless.?

2. Perfection is not always required.?

3. Doing is more important, irrespective of the outcome.?

4. Bit by bit, add more to my mind muscle and make it stronger each day.

5. Challenges make you tough.?

“What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger” - an aphorism of the 19th century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and this also is a song sung by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson in 2011.?

If you have liked this post and can relate to it, do share your stories of mental grit, I will be happy to read and learn from them.?

Carpe Diem.