Soar Like The Eagles
This morning, I went for a run, as is my custom. My jogging partners, Victory and Esther, had both traveled to Lagos for their internship, so the discipline to run alone had to be built.
Quietly, I rolled out of bed and changed into my workout clothes immediately my alarm rang.
The morning was cold and silent. The streets were nearly empty, except for a few environmental workers sweeping the roads.
I jogged alone to the usual distance we had always covered together. Along the way, I began to notice others like myself. People who had denied themselves sleep just to exercise and stay disciplined.
I made a quick U-turn, maintaining my pace as I headed back home.
Then I heard footsteps behind me.
Fast.
Steady.
Intentional.
It was an elderly man I had clapped for earlier. He ran past me with surprising speed, and immediately, I felt challenged.
I increased my pace to catch up with him so we could run together.
For a long while, we kept moving. Soon, I began to run out of gas, but the man maintained the same relentless pace. I wasn’t used to it, and honestly, part of me wanted to give up.
Then he increased his speed again.
I took the challenge personally.
After all, I was younger. I should have had more strength… or so I thought.
By the time we approached the next junction, my breathing had become heavy. Sweat rolled down my face as I struggled to keep up.
I turned to look at the elderly man beside me.
He looked like he was enjoying the run.
His face was drenched in sweat, yet he smiled when he looked at me.
Tired and exhausted, all I could mutter was:
“I shall run and not be weary.”
After all, it is written that the glory of young men is their strength.
When I finally got to my destination, I couldn’t push any further. I simply clapped for him and let him continue his journey.
He clapped for me too and said two simple words:
“Well done.”
I loved the challenge, but more importantly, I learned a valuable lesson this morning.
Most times, the growth you need lies outside your comfort zone and beyond your current pace. Sometimes, you need someone who challenges you to rise higher. Someone who refuses to let you settle for average.
In life, we all need that kind of person: Someone who stretches us. Someone who sharpens us. Someone who pushes us to soar higher like the eagle.
I love this quote: “You can’t hang with eagles when you keep nesting with turkeys.”
You need that extra push.
Iron sharpens iron.
Find people who challenge you, especially the elderly ones and be willing to pay the price to grow.
With Brotherly Regards,
Otobong Samuel