Chandra Ziegler’s new book Extraordinary Endurance: A Life Marathon Training Plan is a unique book that gives the reader a glimpse into the beauty of its author’s soul as he tries to juggle the many aspects of life. While Ziegler is a marathon runner, hence the book’s title, running is only part of the content here. Ziegler shares stories about her many other sport-related pursuits, such as skiing, but she also shares experiences from other aspects of her life, including her work as a teacher and mother. His purpose in offering this medley of material is, as he said at the beginning, “to help propel you to live your best life. I want you to live your happiest life and achieve all your dreams. Do you know why? Because when each of us collectively is full of positive energy, we can change the world! “
Ziegler has been a fan of endurance sports from the beginning. In fact, he began training while in his mother’s womb; her mother won a ski race while pregnant with Ziegler. But beyond endurance sports, he realizes that we must endure the marathon of life, and everyone, athletes included, needs tools to stay positive and grounded through the ups and downs that come our way. . By enduring and encouraging others, we can be that positive, world-changing role model.
Ziegler has organized the book into seven sections, each linked to a specific chakra. She explains the role each chakra plays in our lives as part of our “training plan.” It also includes training tips, meditations, poetry, and “Be Extraordinary” blank pages for the reader to write notes, draw, jot down miracles they witness, or capture whatever inspires them. The pages of the book are also decorated with colorful and fun illustrations by Melanie Bess-Haight that encourage the reader with a special energy to live life fully and creatively.
Extraordinary Resistance is too eclectic to discuss in detail, but I will share some of my favorite passages and some of the advice Ziegler offers. As a reader and lover of books, I love beautiful books, and this book is certainly beautiful, I was delighted when Ziegler described her own love for books and her dreams about them:
“I also dream that my personal library is organized in the order of the rainbow on shelves that line the walls of my house with a sliding ladder like the one in Beauty and the Beast. And I dream of turning an old school bus into a meditation retreat on wheels that I will call Pearl. It will have a relaxation area in the back with cushions, glow-in-the-dark stars and a diffuser with the perfect blend of oils to suit your needs. It will have book shelves, a mini -kitchen to cook delicious nutritious meals, space to do yoga, comfortable places to sit and write, inspiring art and wise words everywhere. It will have everything you need to fuel your body, mind and soul. I will drive wherever you go and I constantly remind people to ‘look for the pearl.’ If you can’t find a pearl, I’ll invite you on my bus and let you look for one yourself. ”
Searching for the pearl pretty much sums up Ziegler’s life. He has found the pearl in many places, from teaching to career. Running has especially helped her connect with her spirit on a special level. She states:
“I really long for the flow state during a run or ski where everything else disconnects … even myself. I have had out-of-body experiences on long runs, where I feel my true self, my spirit … Me, looking down to my physical self from above. I love feeling that total disconnect from all the distractions of modern life and all the chatter in my brain. It’s the feeling of being light and free and connecting with the earth under my feet and the air. that supports my lungs. In that state comes enlightenment, self-realization, the ability to tune in to other realities and total clarity. “
Ziegler also knows that the pearl is not just about grounding ourselves or finding our own inspiration or accomplishments, but about taking what we learn to others. Part of that process for her is being a teacher. He has taught kindergarten, kindergarten, second grade, title one, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade language arts, and high school language arts in an alternative education center. But she also knows that true teaching goes beyond the school system and encompasses our life situations, and that the children she teaches will teach others themselves, including their parents. She states:
“We need to use our spiritual gifts to do the greatest good we can, to lift others, to build bridges, not walls. Amen? We are all connected. We are all members of the human race. We are all worthy of education, literacy, decency. And love! That’s why I teach. Honor children, make a difference in countless lives, influence the agents of change of tomorrow. “
Life is rarely easy, but Ziegler is always trying to reach the goal of happiness and purpose, while learning and enjoying the journey. She asks others to do the same, using the race metaphor as a bigger reminder to the reader:
“You know what got me to that finish line? You could call it stubborn determination or something else. I call it love. I’m done because I love myself. I show up and don’t give up. I dream, and then I act. I did it for myself. and for no one else … When you love yourself enough, you finish what you start. “
I hope you love yourself enough to read this book and begin to see your journey in new ways. Part memoir, part self-help book, part journal, Extraordinary Endurance will inspire you to tap into your inner strength, live your best life, and achieve all your goals, big and small. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary reading trip.