Last Saturday, I received a letter from my Mom (Barbara Dexter) who lives in Pennsylvania regarding the 150 mile race I ran a couple weeks earlier. I was recently interviewed by Kevin Patrick from Endurance Planet (
www.enduranceplanet.com) and referenced this letter, so thought I would include the entire note. Although this is written to me, I think it emodies all of us and the unlimited potential we all have.
Dear Ryan:
When I saw the picture of you at Mile 140, I was overcome with emotion. I could see that it was your mind that was in control – no question. You displayed strong-will, determination, focus- great concentration, and I knew nothing could have stopped you then!
When we cheer that spirit of a true athlete, what we are applauding is the demonstration of courage, tenacity, commitment, alignment with principle and purpose, a demonstration of excellence, honor, respect, and humility. You displayed all of that in that single moment captured on film. But, as all good coaches, CEOs, military commanders, and YOU know, it takes a team effort with a great deal of team spirit to determine the difference between victory and defeat. You had a great team with you. I could tell from your blog that they forced you to go beyond the very real human level of SELFISHNESS to SELFLESSNES! You moved from personal pride to an esteem that is an expression of unconditional love – one that also honors one’s opponents for their dedication to the same lofty principles. Top performers like you, are imbued with the belief that your excellence isn’t a personal accomplishment, but a gift from God, belonging to all mankind as a demonstration of man’s potential. That’s why you were strong and remained so through the event. That gift needs to be respected and defended at all costs. I’m very proud of you, Ryan.
Just as you said, athletes do express gratitude, inner awe, and awareness that their performance wasn’t merely the result of an individual effort – that maximum personal effort brought them to the breakthrough point from which they were than transported by a power greater than that of the himself. Always keep that higher motivation toward excellence because it will give you access to the realm of grace and power.
True athletic power is characterized by grace, sensitivity, inner quite, and paradoxically, gentleness in the noncompetitive lives of even fierce competitors. We celebrate the champion because we recognize that he has overcome personal ambition through sacrifice and dedication to higher principles. A great athlete becomes legendary when he teaches by example. Always set that example for others to follow. It isn’t what you have, or what you do, but what you become that inspires all of mankind, and that’s what we honor in you.
An athlete must hold in his mind the honor of his God, his country, or his sport; the dedication of his performance to someone he loves; or even the sheer joy of maximum effort for the sake of excellence; if he is to be powerfully strong and excel. You did this, and did it well.
You, as an athlete of the highest caliber, have a powerful influence on all of mankind, literally the power to lift the world on your shoulders. The nurturing of excellence and recognition of its value is the responsibility of all men, because the quest for excellence in any area of human endeavor inspires us all toward the actualization of every form of man’s yet unrealized greatness!
Thanks for being you!
With love and respect,
Mom
