At times, one might wonder why the world is so tough on ones self.
I have heard many different testimonies from many different people, and I feel that I believe them; however, I have found that no matter what people say and think they believe, they can only ever fully believe once they have experienced for themselves. This applies to me as well.

During track one day (man, it felt like 100 degrees!) Everyone was to run a little over a mile. I gulped, and got ready for what lay ahead.

I started off well, I was near the front of the group. But after a couple of minutes, one person passed me, then two, then another two, then three (bearing in mind of course that some of these people were distance runners). I saw my friends gradually pulling away.

Each breath felt like daggers inside me. My arms were rusted metal and my worn legs cried out, "Please, for heavens sake, STOP!" My mind kept saying, "This is madness you are going to hurt yourself," yet at the same time a voice said "Don't let them beat you! Keep going, you can do it!"

All this, And I realised I wasn't even half way.

At 60% of the way done my body said to was crying "You HAVE to stop...at least slow down...you are going to pass out...you have reached your limit."

But, at the same time I felt myself thinking "You CANNOT stop...this is nothing...you can go faster...pull out a little more...more....more..."

I thought my body had reached its limit. But, it was myself that was the limit all along. At 3/4 of the way done, I was having no problem. The pain was nullified. My breathing was tolerable. I passed those same people who had passed me and a few more. I finished off with a sprint.

This small and humble, yet incredibly valuable situation put things in perspective for me.

THIS is what trials are for. They awaken potential, test will, body and soul, push you to that which you think is your absolute limit, and more.

But If you emerge victorious, you will become stronger than you could have ever imagined.