ISSUE 017:
Over The Horizon
Fall is here. The season brings moody skies, a fiery shift in the leaves, and that crisp mountain air that makes you second-guess whether getting out of bed is really worth it—especially when it’s cold, wet, and dark outside. Most mornings, I fight that feeling right up until I’m stepping out of the truck. By then, it’s like my body’s on autopilot, moving forward while my mind is still stuck debating my life choices.
This time, there were three of us. We headed out for a morning run on the High Lonesome Loop. Sixteen stunning miles. From the start, I felt light—steadily building until the final 5K, where I swear I was floating. There’s nothing like that quiet strength, that natural high. Just grateful to be alive out there.
Running gave my mind space to wander—unstructured and judgment-free. A stream of thoughts surfaced, one after the next, as if my subconscious was offering them up to see what might stick. It was an ebb and flow of everything and nothing, all at once.
Where my mind wondered were guiding principles to live by:
Curiosity – The enthusiasm to explore what’s on the other side of discomfort. Just like a runner who wonders, “What would happen if I just go a little farther?”, curiosity invites us to test our boundaries, learn from each step, and remain open to discovery — even when the path is uncertain.
Patience – Growth doesn’t happen overnight. Like endurance training, progress in life often comes slowly, through consistent effort over time. Patience helps you honor the process, allowing space for rest, recalibration, and trust in the journey.
Discipline – Running doesn’t rely on motivation alone; it relies on habit and structure. Discipline is what gets us out of bed before sunrise, what keeps us moving when inspiration fades. It’s the quiet force behind sustainable progress.
Tenacity – There will be moments when everything in us wants to stop. Tenacity is our refusal to quit. It’s the part of us that digs deep when our legs are burning and our breath is short — the part that says, “Just keep moving, this to shall pass.”
Self-Awareness – Just as runners must listen to their body — adjusting pace, noticing tension, recognizing fatigue — we must tune in to our thoughts, emotions, and triggers. Self-awareness helps us recognize when we’re off course, when we need rest, or when we’re holding ourselves back.
Accountability – No one can run the race for you, but support matters. Accountability — whether to ourselves, a coach, or a trusted circle — keeps us honest. It’s not about pressure, but about alignment between our intentions and our actions.
Passion – Where we direct our attention is one of the most important factors in finding lasting meaning. We spend a lifetime recalibrating that focus, searching for peace. It’s the deepest well—one that, when tapped, can manifest into something real, something that benefits both ourselves and the people around us.
Optimism – A hopeful confidence about the future, both in the short-term and long-term of life. The manifesting of positive intentions that edge towards more chances to successful outcomes.
Point of View - Creativity in a sense, not reserved for artists - those who can imagine things no one else could, but a distinct vision - a strong perspective meticulously cultivated over time through first-hand experiences and devotion to truth, beauty and goodness.
-CB