Life is rarely about grand milestones alone. More often, it is about the small moments – the run that tests your lungs, the drizzle that softens a heavy day, or the conversations that remind you of a bigger purpose. Today was one of those days for me.
It began with a difficult training session after weeks of rest, continued with the rain on my ride home, and ended with a meeting full of meaning. Each of these experiences, though ordinary on their own, taught me something about resilience, joy, and finding purpose in the everyday.
The Challenge of Starting Again
This morning, I officially restarted my training. After several weeks of illness, rest, and irregular practice, my body had to readjust. The run was not long – just 7.8 kilometres but it included sprints. For someone who hasn’t sprinted in a while, those short bursts of speed felt like climbing a mountain.
My lungs burned, my heart pounded, and at one point, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. The heaviness in my chest nearly overwhelmed me, and for a moment, I thought I might not finish.
But here’s the thing about training: it’s not about feeling good in the moment, it’s about what comes after. Pushing through the discomfort reminded me that resilience is built step by step. Every time we choose not to quit, we make ourselves stronger for the challenges ahead.
Discipline Over Comfort
It would have been easy to skip the run. After all, I’m still adjusting, still tired. But I reminded myself that growth doesn’t happen in comfort.
Discipline is what carried me out the door. Even though my body resisted, my mind knew the importance of showing up. That’s what training and life is all about. Not waiting for the perfect conditions or the perfect mood, but moving forward anyway.
When I finished the run, I felt a rush of gratitude. Despite the pain, I was glad I had done it. And that satisfaction stayed with me for the rest of the day.
The Beauty of Rain
Later in the afternoon, the rain came. It was dark around 4 p.m., and the drizzle began – not heavy, just a light, steady shower.
On my motorbike ride home, I felt the cool drops against my face. Instead of rushing to escape, I welcomed the rain. It was refreshing, grounding, and strangely peaceful.
Sometimes, joy hides in unexpected places. For many, rain is an inconvenience. But for me, today, it was a reminder to slow down, to breathe, and to feel alive in the simplest way possible.
Small Moments Matter
Both the run and the rain could have been seen as obstacles – a difficult workout, an inconvenient drizzle. But perspective changes everything.
When you choose to see value in these moments, they become teachers:
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The run teaches resilience.
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The rain teaches presence.
Joy isn’t about waiting for perfect circumstances. It’s about noticing beauty in what’s already there.
A Meeting with Purpose
After dinner, I joined a UWC (United World Colleges) selection committee meeting. This is my third year being part of the process, and yet, each season feels new.
We are finalizing application questions for candidates – questions that allow young people to express who they are and what they believe in. The discussions tonight were full of thoughtful energy, and I felt both excited and grateful.
There’s a lot of work ahead, but it’s meaningful work. Helping the next generation of students discover themselves and step into opportunities is a responsibility I carry with joy.
Connecting the Dots
Looking back, my day was shaped by three simple events:
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A tough run that reminded me of resilience.
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The rain that reminded me of presence.
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A meaningful meeting that reminded me of purpose.
None of these moments were extraordinary on their own. But together, they created a day full of gratitude.
