The Wild Dog Blog

Tag: growth

  • Renewal

    Over a decade ago in Bastrop, Texas, high winds, downed power lines, and drought conditions caused the most destructive fire in state history. It burned 34,000 acres of land in 55 days. The pine forests in and around Bastrop State Park are still recovering. 

    This past January, I ran my first 100K ultramarathon in Bastrop State Park and got to see first hand the charred landscape that was reminiscent of the elephant graveyard in “The Lion King.” But I also got to see the start of new growth – young pine trees scattered throughout the park, their evergreen pine needles standing out in sharp contrast to blackened stumps and the golden brown trail. It was a beautiful and inspiring place to explore for 62 miles.

    Forest or human, nothing and no one is immune to the cycle of degeneration and regeneration. I’m thankful to the forests that show us how it’s done and remind us of our own capacity for renewal.

  • Smile When You Stumble

    When a young child is learning to walk and stumbles, we smile and appreciate their flawed effort. But when we’re learning and stumble, we berate ourselves and resent our shortcomings. We watch children struggle with a light heart because we believe in their resiliency and the important role that missteps will play in their growth. But we rarely offer this same belief to ourselves.

    Smile when you stumble. It’s a humbling part of being human and gives you the opportunity to rise.

  • When Passion Intersects with Problems

    Some days it feels like I was born to be doing what I’m doing, and some days it feels like I have no idea what I’m doing. I’ve come to understand this as a result of being at the intersection of what excites me and what challenges me. The intersection of “I can do this” with “I still have so much left to learn.” 

    I think this is exactly where we should want to be. I think we should count ourselves lucky every time we find ourselves at this intersection. Passion without problems will lead to complacency, and problems without passion will lead to misery. But to have the push and pull of both in what we’re pursuing is a recipe for growth and fulfillment.