“Don’t fight the trail. Take what it gives you … Think easy, light, smooth and fast. You start with easy because if that’s all you get, that’s not so bad. Then work on light. Make it effortless, like you don’t give a [poop ;)] how high the hill is or how far you’ve got to go. When you’ve practiced that so long that you forget you’re practicing, you work on making it smooooooth. You won’t have to worry about the last one—you get those three, and you’ll be fast.” -Micah True, El Caballo Blanco

Shortly after Gavin died, I stood on my driveway and watched a friend come in from a long run. He trotted along with a big toothy grin on his face. My friend is an ultra marathoner, and it was probable he was coming in from a 20 or 30 mile stretch (truth). He was completely spent… AND … it was evident that he was completely happy. 

Shortly thereafter, I started running. It was hard (times infinity squared), the hills were high (even the baby ones), the road was rough (even when it was paved), and I learned a lesson that I hope will remain with me until the day I die:

Life can be grueling and painful … AND happy and satisfying beyond measure. Life does NOT have to be either or. In fact, the opposition between the two lives, in part, to make our joy all the sweeter.

Ultimately, the choice is ours. Hard and happy? Or just hard? 

I know it’s scary, I know it’s HARD, I know that at times it feels COMPLETELY impossible… but you DO have what it takes—even when you buy in to the false belief that you don’t. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Take it one stretch at a time. Think easy, smooth, light, and you’ll be on the other side of this mountain before you know it. Cross my heart. 

YOU CAN make “your thing” happen. Yes, YOU. You can. 

Natalie Norton

PS. Run in peace, Micah True …El Caballo Blanco. Thank you, for saving my life. 

PPS. Limited seats remain for both the Spring and Fall Making Things Happen Tours. Register today, before we sell out (for a third year running)! Or contact marissa{at}laracaseyreps{dot}com to discuss payment options. 

Post Edited to Include: THIS JUST IN! Since The Making Things Happen Scholarship deadline fell on a weekend, we’ve decided to give you ONE MORE DAY to get those entries in! You have until MIDNIGHT tonight (April 2nd) to submit your applications! Go!