Life Lessons, Part II
This article is part of Finding the Words, a newsletter that delivers practical insights on the day’s issues.
Earlier this month, I published an article sharing one of the life lessons that I learned from my dad, who passed away on October 29. The lesson that “there is always something left to learn” resonated far more deeply with you than I had anticipated. I appreciate the way your kind words and thoughtful actions bolstered me through the recent challenge of losing a loved one.
As I return to work and (somewhat terribly) attempt to return to my daily routines, I thought I’d share one more lesson from my dad, which I hope can serve as a bookend to my earlier life lessons post.
This lesson is simple and essential: Find something you love and run after it.
My father was a collector of many things: pens, watches, cameras, Civil War books, coins, t-shirts, and hats. Behind all these things, though, is something far more important: a man who had many hobbies and many interests. What a gift, really, to have found so many hobbies that brought him joy.
Among the collections he kept was a pile of running bibs from various road races, and tucked inside was a photo of me, my brother, and our dad in 1985, at the very first road race we ran together. I’ve run dozens of races since that day, and I’ve never run a race without thinking back to that day.
Turns out, I literally caught my dad’s passion to run after things.
Sometimes, we don’t know what we’ll take from our parents until they’re gone. I hadn’t noticed how deeply he instilled this lesson in me until I saw a grainy 38-year-old picture of us standing at the starting line of that race.
Thirty-eight years ago, I was at the starting line of one lifelong passion: running. I imagine you’ve been at the starting line of many passions, too, whether that be a new hobby, a new interest, a new career, or a new relationship.
When you find something that you love—something that brings you joy—don’t be afraid to run after it. Life is short, and it can be hard. Joy can get sidelined for the challenges that any given day can present. Don’t let yourself lose joy. And don’t ignore it when you find it, in the places where your passion and purpose meet. Those places—where passion and purpose meet—represent the most true, honest, and best version of you. And they’re worth embracing.
So yes, find something that you love and run after it. As my dad taught me, life is fuller when you practice your passions.
Bottom line: It’s never too late to learn and never too late to love. There will never be enough time, so use the time you’re given today running after something, or maybe someone, that you love.
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