KNOW, the Magazine for Paralegals Spring 2014 | Page 9

At this point, Tim’s words trail off into the silence. Just as the last word falls from his lips, he looks me dead in the eyes and confidently states, “YOU ARE that runner. You have no idea how close you are.” His gaze was long and intentional. It was as though he was piercing my soul with his words. He continued on, “You’ve come so far. I know you’re almost there. I can see it. I know you’re on the verge of something great. I know you’re almost where you want to be – there’s no way you can quit now. You just need to realize how close you are, stay focused, and keep running. This is your season. It’s your year. I truly believe that. Big things are in store for you. You just have to keep going.” In that moment, something happened. I was no longer tired. I was no longer confused. I immediately realized how close I was. I grasped how much work I had put in to get to where I now stood. I realized how tired or confused I felt didn’t matter. I had come too far to turn away from my own potential now. I was going to keep pushing forward. I knew I could make it. Although I was wearing ballet flats (not tennis shoes) and was sitting in my office (nowhere near a mountain), it was as though I was looking back over all I had managed to accomplish to date. I HAD come too far to turn back now. No way. I was gonna lace up those career shoes and run harder. And run faster. I could do it. I would. With one simple story, Tim had infused the air in my office with an uplifting current of possibility and potential that flowed into me. I felt accomplished and proud. I felt happy and capable. I felt like running, although I was tired and confused just moments prior. “Nobody ever talks about the pyramids that weren’t built, the books that weren’t written, the songs that weren’t sung. Stop letting your fear condemn you to mediocrity. Get out of your own way. Your dreams are a poetic reflection of your soul’s wishes. Be courageous enough to follow them. There is no greater time than now to experience the full power of your potential. Make this the day you take the first step in the beautiful journey of bringing your dreams to life.” – Steve Maraboli 9 A few minutes later, Tim departed my office. But his message remained. I guess that’s what career coaches, respected colleagues, trusted advisors, and good mentors do – they remind us who we are. They remind us who we intend to be. They make us recall where we’ve been so far, and where we’re headed. They keep us running, even when we’re tired. Even when we’re confused. Even when we’re unsure how we’ll make the journey. They keep us running even when we completely lose sight of why we began to run in the first place. They keep our eyes focused on the goal, rather than the obstacles. They keep us moving forward, making our way toward victory. And somehow, some way, they keep us running, until eventually, we make our way to the goal – be it to the top of a mountain or our next “big” thing, whatever it may be. Whether we’re the person running up the side of a mountain or the accomplished individual making our back down the other side of it, encouraging the next runner on our path, we must remain in the race. It’s ours to win. It always was. It always will be – if only we have the courage to keep running. So lace up those running shoes a little tighter, look back to see how far you’ve come, and keep running - “You have no idea how close you are!” I’ll see you on the mountain. Jaime Collins is a busy paralegal in Indianapolis. She is a regular contributor to KNOW. Read her blog, Paralegal Society.