In a story titled “She's set American records in the half and full marathon, and now Keira D'Amato is telling her story” published by Richmond News yesterday, the famous runner said "I've learned a lot, I've failed a lot, and I've laughed a lot. But I didn't come back to where I started."
As impressive as it has all been, D'Amato wasn't sure it was worthy of a book, finding the idea more than a little self-indulgent. But the more she was asked about her resurgence as a runner, the more the idea grew on her. "I felt like I had it in my bones to write a book but that I didn't have a story to tell," D'Amato explained. "People would tell me 'You need to write a book', and I would answer 'Well, I don't have an ending yet'."
And she may not for some time. She will train for the World Championships in both the half-marathon next year, and the full marathon in 2027. Putting in the work for those is far easier for her than finding the opening line for a book. "The first step in anything is the hardest," D'Amato admitted. "When I started running again, that first step was the hardest. The first word of the book was the hardest. But once I got going and figured out what I wanted to say, it flowed pretty naturally." Written with Runner's World contributor Evelyn Spence, D'Amato's book aims to inspire people to find whatever motivates them.
"I want people to find the courage to start," D'Amato said. "Find something that scares them but makes them happy. It doesn't have to be running, but something that makes them happy and feel fulfilled."
And, you know, the search for “something” that makes us feel happy and fulfilled isn’t a new one. It’s been the goal of nearly every human being since the beginning of time. And while there’s nothing innately wrong with searching for those things, you can be sure that obtainment of them in this life apart from Christ is only short-lived.
You see, worldly happiness (the kind that comes from fame, relationships, possessions, comforts or accomplishments) is fleeting because it’s a transient emotion, much like joy, anger, or sadness, and not a permanent state of being. Worldly happiness is a product of its circumstances and a state of being that is reliant on outward factors that can change in an instant, thereby making it temporary.
For example, gaining a world record might make a person happy, but what happens when that record is broken by someone else? And writing a great book might cause a person to feel fulfilled, but what happens when that book stops selling? Similarly, a person might find happiness in a spouse or significant other, but what happens when that person fails to meet their needs? Or wants to leave the relationship?
See where I'm going with this? Godly happiness on the other hand is different. It’s the emotional state of wellbeing and contentment that comes from a relationship with the Lord who never changes. Which is the very reason the psalmist declared “Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!”
What is that state you might ask? As David indicated, it’s a state of peace, trust, faith, and contentment in the midst of trying times (even in battles and war) rather than in the absence of them. You see, the Lord was David’s rock, his lovingkindness, and his fortress. If that weren’t enough, David went on to describe God as his high tower, his deliverer, his shield, and the One in whom he could take refuge. This was something that never changed, unlike his circumstances, because God never changes!
Furthermore, David understood his lowly position and so found great joy in knowing that the Creator of the universe, Himself, was “mindful of him.” How could David not then declare “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!?” He understood that the Father had complete knowledge of him and would provide for all of his needs (and those of all believers)—including the need to feel safe, purposeful, protected, loved, cherished, and cared for.
So, knowing that lasting happiness and fulfillment can only come from a right relationship with the Lord, seek Him with your whole heart my friend. Then allow Him to guide you into your life’s purpose and fill you with constant and abundant joy both in the midst of peace and in the midst of unrest in the way that only He can.
Heavenly Father, thank You for your Word that reveals how great and majestic You are. Thank you also for the revelation of your deep love for mankind and the lovingkindness You show to those who put their trust in You. Help us to look to You, and only You, to fill our need for purpose, happiness, and fulfillment that we might avoid the pitfalls of chasing after the temporary pleasures of this world. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
And she may not for some time. She will train for the World Championships in both the half-marathon next year, and the full marathon in 2027. Putting in the work for those is far easier for her than finding the opening line for a book. "The first step in anything is the hardest," D'Amato admitted. "When I started running again, that first step was the hardest. The first word of the book was the hardest. But once I got going and figured out what I wanted to say, it flowed pretty naturally." Written with Runner's World contributor Evelyn Spence, D'Amato's book aims to inspire people to find whatever motivates them.
"I want people to find the courage to start," D'Amato said. "Find something that scares them but makes them happy. It doesn't have to be running, but something that makes them happy and feel fulfilled."
And, you know, the search for “something” that makes us feel happy and fulfilled isn’t a new one. It’s been the goal of nearly every human being since the beginning of time. And while there’s nothing innately wrong with searching for those things, you can be sure that obtainment of them in this life apart from Christ is only short-lived.
You see, worldly happiness (the kind that comes from fame, relationships, possessions, comforts or accomplishments) is fleeting because it’s a transient emotion, much like joy, anger, or sadness, and not a permanent state of being. Worldly happiness is a product of its circumstances and a state of being that is reliant on outward factors that can change in an instant, thereby making it temporary.
For example, gaining a world record might make a person happy, but what happens when that record is broken by someone else? And writing a great book might cause a person to feel fulfilled, but what happens when that book stops selling? Similarly, a person might find happiness in a spouse or significant other, but what happens when that person fails to meet their needs? Or wants to leave the relationship?
See where I'm going with this? Godly happiness on the other hand is different. It’s the emotional state of wellbeing and contentment that comes from a relationship with the Lord who never changes. Which is the very reason the psalmist declared “Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!”
“Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle—My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. Lord, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?” Psalm 144:1-3
What is that state you might ask? As David indicated, it’s a state of peace, trust, faith, and contentment in the midst of trying times (even in battles and war) rather than in the absence of them. You see, the Lord was David’s rock, his lovingkindness, and his fortress. If that weren’t enough, David went on to describe God as his high tower, his deliverer, his shield, and the One in whom he could take refuge. This was something that never changed, unlike his circumstances, because God never changes!
Furthermore, David understood his lowly position and so found great joy in knowing that the Creator of the universe, Himself, was “mindful of him.” How could David not then declare “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!?” He understood that the Father had complete knowledge of him and would provide for all of his needs (and those of all believers)—including the need to feel safe, purposeful, protected, loved, cherished, and cared for.
So, knowing that lasting happiness and fulfillment can only come from a right relationship with the Lord, seek Him with your whole heart my friend. Then allow Him to guide you into your life’s purpose and fill you with constant and abundant joy both in the midst of peace and in the midst of unrest in the way that only He can.
Heavenly Father, thank You for your Word that reveals how great and majestic You are. Thank you also for the revelation of your deep love for mankind and the lovingkindness You show to those who put their trust in You. Help us to look to You, and only You, to fill our need for purpose, happiness, and fulfillment that we might avoid the pitfalls of chasing after the temporary pleasures of this world. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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