Are "epics" part of your human experience?

Champions are easy to find these days! Especially with the media frenzy surrounding the NORBA championships in Sonoma, California. To me, reading reports about racers pushing themselves to the limit is inspiring. I guess it has something to do with the art of suffering, because I enjoy hearing stories from my friends who tell me about an epic ride they did. Maybe it is more to do with the story and how they tell it. Although, when I think of it, I want to go deeper into the psyche of it all.

If we consider the past interesting, then it is easy to think of the epic tales of Beowulf and Homer. I guess it is in our nature to detail strife, then misfortune, then success. But, on a deeper level, I think we can see even more.

Richard Lustberg, a licensed psychologist, states that epic rivalry has strong roots in our history. If one considers the Yankees and Red Sox rivals, then it isn't hard to stretch this idea forward. Lustberg adds, "Hate has a way of making people feel alive." I can tell you I've cursed many a trail section. In other words, it was me against the trail, and, at the time, I hated that trail.

So, the next time you are listening to a friend relate his/her tale of epic woe, remember he or she is only being human.