North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail

by Scott Jurek

But not all pain is the same. Pain can be high or low;

it can be deep or shallow. Pain has more than one axis.

Pain is a biological fact, and there’s nothing short of drugs that can wipe it away. But we do have some control over how much one fact or another will consume our thoughts and attention.

It’s just that when affection becomes predictable and routine, it loses its sharpness. And in the case of pain, perhaps the one we know hurts us less than the one we fear.

Perspective is always enlightening.

I can’t help feeling great. I’m free. I’m not in charge of anyone. No one depends on me.

Leadership takes a toll on you. Even if you are leading for the right reasons. Always take time to thank those that lead. When possible ask to help

Nobody—except the man in the ring.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles…. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly…who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails

Hike your own hike and I’ll blaze my own trail.

The heavy lifting happens in the darkest times

put my cynicism aside and be nothing but positive to the best of my ability.

Never say die fight on

Some stressors were avoidable. Some people weren’t.

everyone will help you party but few will help you grieve.”

We often think we can’t go any farther and feel like we have nothing left to give, yet there is a hidden potential and strength in all of us, begging us to find it. We arrive at it via different means—sometimes reward, sometimes fear.