The Power of "Even If": Resilience, Sobriety, and Marathoning

There’s a phrase that has been quietly guiding me through some of the most difficult and rewarding moments of my life: "even if." It was first introduced to me in a 12-step meeting, years ago, at a time in my sobriety where I was challenged with maintaining serenity and was filling with fear and doubt.

It’s a small phrase, but one that carries immense power; particularly in the realms of sobriety and marathoning, two areas of my life where resilience is paramount. In my most recent training block for the Tokyo Marathon, "even if" became a mantra for me, as this last round of training was particularly challenging for a bunch of reasons (if you follow my running journey through my alter-ego @sober_soles, you are familiar with the details). 

"Even if," is a reminder that no matter what happens, I will keep going. I will keep moving forward. I will trust the process, and embrace the journey, even when the destination is unclear, isn't what I wanted, and/or what I expected.

Sobriety: One Step at a Time

In the journey of sobriety, "even if" takes on a more spiritual meaning. There are days when the weight of the world feels too heavy, when thoughts of numbing resurface. In those moments, I remind myself; even if I face a setback, even if I struggle with doubt, even if the road ahead feels unclear, I will continue my commitment to my recovery. As long as I stay sober, I will all be okay. Even if.

Sobriety isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, even when life is messy. It's about choosing to stay the course even when things feel uncertain. The spiritual element is this; faith and an understanding that life unfolds in ways we may not always be able to predict or control, and the act of choosing recovery, one day at a time, gives me the courage and strength I need to persevere. Even if I stumble, I can stand up again because I’ve learned that it’s not the mis-steps that define me; it’s my willingness to get up and keep going. Even if.

The beauty of this belief, this mantra; "even if," is the more I learn to trust each step of my journey is exactly what I need to keep growing and evolving, the less time I spend in fear and doubt. Whether I’m in a moment of challenge, or in a place of peace; I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be in order to take my next step. So, I focus on what I can learn and what I can control; me, my commitment to my recovery, and making the next best choice. I stay focused on that, and I am always okay. Even if.

Marathoning: Resilience on the Run

If you know me and follow my alter ago, @sober_soles, you know marathoning is another area where I devote a lot of my energy and passion. In this last training block for the Tokyo Marathon, "even if" became my guiding principle. When I first started marathoning, the idea of running 26.2 miles felt almost impossible. The training is grueling, the body aches, and the mind sometimes says, “Why am I doing this?” (Being honest, MOST of the time my mind says this!) But each time I lace up my shoes and get on with my run, I tell myself; even if I am not the fastest runner, even if I hit a wall during the race, even if I struggle in ways I didn't expect or anticipate, my "Why," my devotion to this sport, and my resilience will carry me through to the finish line. Even if.

In marathoning, I've found deep spiritual lessons in experiencing the journey over the destination. I’ve learned that speed doesn’t matter (unless, of course you're competing as a professional, which I am not). What matters is showing up, putting in the work, and never giving up, no matter how long it takes to reach that finish line. There’s something deeply humbling about running a marathon; the realization that the process, with all its ups and downs, is where the real growth happens. Even if.

And even if I don’t finish the race, there’s a peace in knowing that I will have learned something in the process. The beauty of this sport is that every run, every training session, and every race, there's an opportunity for growth. Whether I’m celebrating the joy of crossing the finish line or learning from a challenge I faced along the way, I always take something valuable with me. Even if.

Trusting the Journey: Even If the Results Aren’t What You Expected

In both sobriety and marathoning, I’ve come to accept that the results may not always match my expectations. But that’s the spiritual gift I’ve been granted; even if the outcome isn’t what I “wanted,” it is always exactly what I need. Life has a way of teaching us lessons in the most unexpected ways. In recovery, this means that even when things don’t go according to plan, I’m still moving toward growth, healing, and have a deeper connection with myself, my Higher Power, and the world around me. Even if.

In marathoning, it’s about trusting my effort is enough, no matter the time on the clock or the number of miles left to go. Even if I don’t hit my time goal, or even if the race doesn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped, I’ve been shown over and over, the journey is the reward. Every race is a stepping stone toward becoming stronger, mentally and physically. Each race, whether "successful" in my eyes or not, is simply part of the bigger picture. Even if.

The Spiritual Application of “Even If”

What I’ve come to realize through both sobriety and marathoning is that life isn’t about the perfect finish, the cleanest race, or even the absence of setbacks. It’s about consistently showing up. It’s about having the courage to take the next step even when the path is uncertain. Even if things don’t go as planned, I can trust that they are unfolding exactly as they should, and there is always something to learn along the way. Even if.

Through this Tokyo experience, I adopted this mindset shift as one of the most powerful in my toolbox. Even if life is messy, even if the journey gets tough, even if I can't see the future clearly, even if I can and things don’t look the way I envisioned; I will keep going. As long as I stay sober, I will be okay. As long as I stay devoted to the process of marathoning, I will reach my finish line, even if that finish line isn't the one I had imagined.

In the end; it’s not about perfection, but about resilience. It's the ability to keep moving forward no matter the obstacles. Even if.

In this journey of life, "even if" has become my spiritual anchor. A reminder that I am enough, even on the days I fall short. And that, in itself, is the greatest gift.

(I am still trying to locate the author/philosopher responsible for "even if." It is certainly not a concept that originates here, with me at Mindset Motivator, but one that I have learned to love and apply in all I do)