LOVE TOUGH
"Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity." - Og Mandino “In order to succeed in life, you need to stay motivated in the lows and focuses in the highs.”
Last week South Africa saw the running of the Ultimate Human Race...Comrades Marathon 2013. It's tough, but people love it. South Africa plays host to many such endurance events, with the Comrades, Iron Man, Two Oceans Ultra Marathon, Otter Trail Run, Cape Epic Mountain Bike Race among the finest (and toughest) endurance events “in the world”– said in a Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear voice. There is, of course, also the Cape Argus Pick&Pay Cycle Tour, a favourite event of many people.
As fUSS, we have had a numerous people Sweat4(Good)2 in aid of raising awareness and funds for our Lost&Found course, saddlingUP and lacingUP for these various events.  The months of preparation, participation in ‘training’ events leading up to the main Race Day has highlighted two major characteristics about these people:   * They show commitment to seeing through their goal. (especially through the rough patches)   * They love tough.
In life we face daily tough situations. Heck, in SA we even had a shoe for kids called 'Toughies'. The manufacturers obviously knew SA needs a Bata-brand relevant to our conditions! But what do tough situations do for you? Here are just three things which, when you critically look at your own growth through your tough situation, will help you to celebrate your own growth with resilience to faceUP to your next challenging situation.
Tough situations…
1)       teach you discipline: When facingUP to a due-date of an endurance event, there are many early mornings sacrificed and many other aspects to ‘give up’ in order to achieve the goal.  However, when there is a reason bigger than yourself, it makes this sacrifice worth it.  In tough situation, those who come through them with resilience will often tell you that they decided every day, to do what is ‘necessary in order to create the tomorrow they were committed to.’(Anthony Robbins)
Action	See yourself beyond the darkness you find yourself in, this will help you to grow through the experience.
2)       refines your focus: ‘When I know what I want to achieve, I make decisions that are in line with that goal, and employ actions that will support my effort to succeed. I don’t put unnecessary pressure on myself, but I know what I want to achieve.’ – Bruce Fordyce, Legendary Comrades Marathon Champion.  During tough times our capacity is restricted. We have limited emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual strength during such times.
Action:	Have clear focus on what you need to do in a given day and week.  Make lists and celebrate when you’ve done them.  Athletes take great pleasure in penning down their training log.  Do the same for your victories.
3)       strengthen relationships – with self and others: Over a six to nine month period, Comrades athletes (typically) run 1500km (930 miles) in training for the 89km (56km) race. During this time, inevitably, you get to spend a lot of time with yourself, leading to getting to know yourself very well.  A solid bond is also established between fellow athletes, leading to a sharing of lives and blossoming of relationships. When tough situations come knocking in your life, our inclination is often to ‘show people I can get through this on my own’.  Whilst independence is not a bad thing, in tough times, true friendships (and sometimes new relationships) are discovered, moulded, and tempered.
Action:	Make an effort to not exclude people from your life when things are tough. It’s OK to ask for help and assistance. King Solomon said: If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (Eccl. 4:9-12, NLT)
Whilst no one wishes for difficulty and struggles in their lives, it will happen.  However, if we learn to Love Tough, chances are that you will rise with resilience as you grow through the situation. If you currently find yourself down in the valley of despair, may these words, the foundation of facingUP Support Services’ aim to support, encourage and celebrate, is rooted in Psalm 34.  May it prop you up and encourage you on your journey: Be brave. Be strong. Don’t give up. (Psalm 34:10)     facingUP Support Services: * NPC: 2011/004081/08 * 18A Tax Exempt Status (PBO) file no. 930/036/181 PO BOX 14, HOWARD PLACE, 7450 Fax:  +27 (0)86 762 5024 Directors: Dr. SH Walsh, Mr. IS Smith, Mr. E Lombard www.facingupsa.org  /  www.lostandfoundnow.org   (Image: threestarandsdesign.com)