e

Boston has been truly hospitable to me. I have been incredibly blessed to explore this beautiful city, rich with intellectuals walking along brick-lined sidewalks with their North Faces intact. It’s been about a month, but now that I’ve settled in, I decided to write about one of my most insightful experiences thus far – the Boston Marathon.

The Boston Marathon is an annual event where qualified runners run non-stop for 26 miles. TWENTY-SIX miles. I just had to go watch. Thinking like a typical tourist, I headed toward the finish line, expecting a parade or a pot-of-gold equivalent to satisfy my curiosity. What I didn’t anticipate was the marathon being jam-packed with tourists who had the same idea. It took us over half an hour to inch a block forward. Imagine trying to board an over-crowded train – in NYC – during rush hour. We decided it just wasn’t worth our time, so we headed for the 1-mile marker. In some ways, I expected a huge banner — one that screamed “you can do it!” or idk maybe a cool band playing obnoxiously cheery music — but it was just an ordinary pole, with an ordinary sign attached, alongside a black-taped line. We stood there watching the runners for a while and…

I couldn’t help but admire them.

For one, I revered at their ability to run a marathon (I can barely run two miles without gasping for air, grasping anything/everything to defy gravity) and how functional the runners looked. As anyone would expect after running twenty-six painfully long miles of distance, I expected the runners to look miserable. Granted, there were some, but the majority of the runners — although fatigued and sweaty with the brightest smiles on their faces — waved to the crowd and gave us high-fives. I did a double take, but the smiles were still there.

With the tragic bombing that happened a short three years ago, I was initially hesitant about visiting the marathon. These runners ran the entire race. Despite the possible dangers they faced, they persisted. This made their feat even more powerful.

Despite the possible consequences of being vulnerable, we shouldn’t allow our fears deter us from achieving our goals.

Their persistence was inspiring. 

I thought about how life is this way. How, when we’re persistent in our practices, despite the obstacles, our vulnerabilities can inspire others.

No matter who we are, we all struggle with this.

We are so occupied with our fear of being judged that we often forget how a little support can go a long way. This support is so much bigger than our slight insecurities.

These runners, tired from 25 miles of non-stop running weren’t occupied with how they looked. They trained tirelessly and willingly publicized to the world the hardships along their path to the finish line. But why are we so fearful in showing others our own vulnerabilities in life? 

I wrote a tweet about this which actually inspired me to write this bp.

There’s a special inspiration in vulnerability. When people expose themselves to the world, the vulnerability itself has a powerful effect. It shows others that we can relate, it’s possible, and that we may have the means to help. When I read about success stories, I relate in so many ways to their struggles and am inspired by their achievements. When people tell me about their struggles, I empathize. When I show people my vulnerabilities, I hand them a part of myself. Relationships are so special in this way. When two people connect, they share their vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can inspire others to do the same.

I read a blog post not too long ago by a very inspirational figure in my life, who shared with the world about his struggles. I won’t dive in too deeply, but I will say that it changed my life. This act of vulnerability was unprecedented to me. If this person is bold enough to display their vulnerabilities in a way that can inspire others like me to do the same, why shouldn’t I?

One of the main reasons I started a blog was to get over this fear of judgment that comes with being vulnerable. I realized that although I’m grateful for all the family, friends, and opportunities that God has blessed me with, I still couldn’t seem to post my blogs on Facebook (our generation-Y version of the world). It might not be perfect but regardless, I’m posting this in hopes that it might inspire the same in others — who are struggling to expose their own vulnerabilities — to not let these vulnerabilities hinder their ability to succeed or inspire.

Another big take-away was towards the end of the race where people gathered around to cheer the runners on. I think this is symbolic of how when the going is tough, when you’re not afraid to admit or show this vulnerability, people will no doubt cheer you on – they will advise you or help you in anyway they can. One of the new friends told me about a tunnel called the Wellesley Scream Tunnel. It’s where the students at Wellesley cheer on the runners about mid-way through the race. It’s amazing how willing people are to help those they can, in any way they can.

This is a philosophy for stumblers. The stumbler scuffs through life, a little off balance. But the stumbler faces her imperfect nature with unvarnished honesty, with the opposite of squeamishness. Recognizing her limitations, the stumbler at least has a serious foe to overcome and transcend. The stumbler has an outstretched arm, ready to receive and offer assistance. Her friends are there for deep conversation, comfort and advice. — link

Lets all be stumblers together, scuffing though life, a little off balance but with an outstretched arm ready to receive and offer assistance.

Whether it be through a simple high-five or some much-needed encouragement, it can be just enough to get you through to the finish line.