I have been enjoying the amazing performances by an elite runner Ryan Hall. He is the American record holder in the half-marathon (59 min 43 sec) and is currently heading to Beijing to represent America in the Olympic marathon. His running is beyond understanding yet I am most impressed with his definition of success. I believe his perspective can help so many people find fulfillment in their journeys as well.

Ryan has a strong Christian faith and realized that his Olympic dream had consumed him to the point that running became his God. The challenge with this is significant. When a goal has become so consuming that you lose yourself in it, then your sense of worth and contentment are completely dependent upon your activity. That is, your state of being is completely dependent upon your state of doing. When the results are good, you are good. When the results are bad, you are bad. This is beyond just being focused on a goal, rather it is when your identity has been defined by the goal...   more »