5. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
Spartans come in all ages, shapes and sizes. One of the intimidating things, if you are a first-time Spartan like I was, is to see a variety of people who appear, on the outside, like they are more prepared than you are for the rigors of Spartanhood. If there is one thing that destroys a person’s dignity, it’s covetousness. It is believing the lie that, because someone else appears to have more than you have, you are lacking. The Spartan spirit, much like the Christian ethic, is that each person has what it takes to run the race and finish the course. The victory is not in the swiftness with which you run the race, but instead in the overcoming spirit with which you accomplish your goal. Some are faster than others, but each one runs the race according to their skill, ability and endurance. In the end, all those who finish receive the same medal.
