As humans, we will experience numerous times when a red line is brutally marked through something we begrudgingly believed to be our life path—what we thought was meant to be a part of our life story. But the power to recreate comes in the reassembling, ultimately illuminating an authentic purpose we might not have known was possible. It is a purpose beyond the limitations of our lived experience, and it transforms our lives in sacred ways.

Sometimes when we don’t think anyone is listening or watching, they are. Sometimes when we don’t feel like we’re making a difference, we are. And sometimes, a 7th-grade kid has all the answers you need.

Running has always been a release for me. I get pumped up when the wind picks up and whips my hair and t-shirt straight behind me because it is my reminder of just how strong I am.