A few years ago, I was leaving my house early one morning to catch a flight out of town. As I pulled out of my neighborhood, I saw an older gentleman with a white beard running in the near dark. He was sweating through his shirt, moving at a fast pace, with a flashlight strapped to his head. It caught my attention mainly because of his age.

So I backed my car up, rolled down the window, and said, "Sir, you inspired me this morning, seeing you out here working like this on your own. But I just have to ask, what are you running for?"

His answer was something I will never forget. "It's not what I am running from or even for. It's what I am running towards."

As I pulled away, I was struck by the simplicity and power in his message.

It's easy to run from something. Your pain, your struggle, your past. If you're anything like me, you might have even mastered the skill. But running from something and running towards something are two very different things. Most people run from. Few people run towards. Their goals, their dreams, a deeper purpose in life.

This is your wake-up call. Channel your inner runner today and run towards something.