By Rusty POtter
Here we are – the last month of 2025. For some, this year has flown by. For others, it has felt like a marathon with hills you didn’t see coming. But no matter how the year has treated you, December gives us all one final chance: a chance to finish strong. Not perfect – just strong.
Anyone who has ever run a race knows something about the “second wind.” It’s that burst of energy that shows up right when your body is saying, “I’m done.” Your legs are heavy, your breathing is uneven, your mind is questioning everything – but suddenly, something shifts. Strength returns. Focus sharpens. Hopes rise. You move forward with a renewed determination that surprises even you.
Life works the same way.
The truth is, many of us started 2025 with big dreams and bold plans. Maybe you mapped out new goals, launched a project, committed to healthier habits, or promised yourself that this year would look different. But along the way, life happened. Detours came. Storms rolled in. Some things took longer than expected. Some things hurt more than expected. And some things simply didn’t go at all the way you planned.
But December says something powerful: “Don’t quit. Your second wind is waiting .”
If you’re a student, this applies to you as well. Final exams are here, and you want to do well. You’ve already started preparing… right? Even if you feel tired or overwhelmed, that second wind can help you push through those last chapters, those late-night study sessions. Stay focused, stay disciplined, and remind yourself why you started. The finish line is right ahead of you.
That second wind in life shows up when you push past the temptation. It appears when you decide that your story isn’t over – not yet. Just like a runner must keep moving to receive that burst of strength, you have to stay in motion.
But, you will miss it if you stop? You will miss if you assume the year is already “decided.” You will miss it if you sit down when you should be pressing forward.
December isn’t a finish line – it’s a launching pad. When you finish strong, you start strong. The momentum you build now follows you into 2026.
This year may not have been perfect, but perfection was never the goal. Growth was. Progress was. Strength was. And strength often shows itself most clearly when we push through tiredness, doubt, and delay – and discover a second wind waiting to carry us farther than we imagined.
Lift your head, square your shoulders, and take the next step. You’re not done. The race isn’t over.
Your second wind is here. Catch it – and finish 2025 strong.