It is the name of a song.

However, it’s more well known as the name of a movie.

And the message in this movie is one that you can use to transform any area of your life.

It’s the type of message that can certainly help you go from where you are now to where you want to be.

The name of the movie is, “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner”

It’s the story of a rebellious youth, Colin, who was sent to an all boys detention center as a result of committing robbery. While at the detention center he catches the eye of the governor (or what is known today as the warden) because of his long distance running ability.

The Governor gives Colin special privileges with the intention of using Colin’s long distance running ability in a big race against a rival institution. These privileges include not being disciplined and having more freedom than the other boys.

What is particularly interesting is that Colin is allowed to practice his running outside the locked gates of the detention center while being unsupervised.

As a result of this preferential treatment, Colin has to deal with the jealousy of the other inmates.

Finally it’s the day of the big  5 mile race. As the race unfolds Colin breaks out in front and has a very comfortable lead. With an easy victory within his sights he starts having flashbacks of his life. These range from his family to his arrest and to where his life currently is and going.

Within just a few yards of the finish line and with the Governor, the police, along with everyone else looking on, he stops running as the runner from the rival institution passes him by and cross the finish line.

Now why in the world would a youth in a detention center, who has received preferential treatment for his special skills, give up and “throw” the race?

Before answering that I want you to think about something…

Whenever you’ve had the feeling of “giving up” what thoughts were going through your mind? Was it about something you did or didn’t do? Was it the endless mind chatter of what other people said you could or couldn’t do? Was it something that was real in the first place?

As a result of this did you give up or did you persist through it no matter what?

If you decided to give up what were your reasons? If you decided to keep going and persist what were your reasons?

Whatever it is that you’re looking to achieve there will be “up” moments and “down” moments along that journey. And the higher level of achievement you reach the more those “up” and “down” moments come up.

Now when you’re able to handle each of these moments in a poised manner, and know that each are there to benefit you on your mission, you have a greater appreciation and are grateful for them.

And at times you’ll experience that “loneliness”, especially when you’re on track to achieve high levels of success.

This is true of any person who has ever had what people call a “successful” business.

It happens especially during those times when putting in the long hours involved in doing whatever it takes. This happens with athletes and professionals in all industries. For those of you who have families it certainly occurs there as well.

During his long and lonely runs outside the locked gates of the detention center Colin would have flashbacks of his life that led right up to where he currently was.

And it was during these flashbacks that his reason for pulling up short in a race that he could have won easily came up.

He realized that he was being used and manipulated by the Governor. His special skills as a long distance runner were being used by the Governor for the Governor’s own benefit.

Even though Colin did get preferential treatment and unsupervised runs outside the locked gates, he felt he was minimizing himself to authority in the process.

And this was the reason he “threw” the race and purposely stopped just a few yards short of the finish line while an “angry” Governor looked on.

Why is this important and how can it help you in your life?

Because if you find yourself saying “I should”, “I have to”, “I’m supposed to”, “I’ve got to” then you’re (and this occurs subconsciously) in some way minimizing yourself to some perceived authority who told you that you “should”, “have to”, are supposed to”, and “got to.”

For example…

If you’re working a job you don’t like right now, you’re most likely using the languaging I just mentioned above. When you take a deeper look you’ll see at some point that  you got those beliefs from someone. It could have been parents, friends, teachers, or anyone you gave authority too.

This isn’t a bad thing. It’s an awareness thing and something I want you to be aware of.

In Colin’s case it was a running race that he purposely lost because he was being rebellious towards the Governor who was manipulating him.

For you it’s about your life and what you’re here to be, do, and have.

Now of course I’m not telling you to go out and be rebellious just for the sake of defying authority.

What I am telling you is to know what your true values are and to live your life accordingly. You’ll know this when you find yourself saying, “I love to”, “I’m inspired to”, “I’m blessed” and “This is what I’ve always dreamed of doing.”

Many times we as humans will listen to what a perceived authority tells us to do. That’s human nature. It’s important to respect others but at the same time to question (in a fair way) what they may tell you to do…especially when it comes to different areas of your life that’s most important to you.

If there is such a thing as a “race” in life, rather than pulling up short and not finishing it because of giving in to what a perceived authority told you to do…

It is much wiser to know what it is that you would love to be, do, and have.

Because, as a result, you’ll be persistent when you have those moments when you feel like giving up (and you won’t give up)…

You’ll continue to grow your self confidence…

You’ll be respected and more appreciated for all that you do…

You’ll discover the tremendous amount of value you contribute to the world…

And most of all…

You’ll realize that your uniqueness is what allows you to shine and be the magnificent and special person you are.