Last New Year’s, I asked several friends to recommend a book that has changed his or her life. I got a variety of answers ranging from history, philosophy, religion, and fiction (including the Patrick O'Brian series I have quoted in the past). However, my friend Chris' suggestion stood out: Mortimer Adler’s "How to Read a Book." Intriguing, right? Adler teaches not just how to read, but also that some books are not worth reading. In the back of his book, Adler also has a recommended reading list. Among the words is Charles Darwin’s "Origin of Species." On a whim, I bought and read the book.

Darwin’s work is often misquoted as saying "only the strong survive." However, Darwin’s actual message is that those most able to evolve and adapt are the ones who survive.

We start with lofty goals—setting personal records as runners. But over time, our bodies, lives, and priorities change. To have a long and fulfilling running career, we must evolve. Just as Darwin observed in nature, it’s not about being the fastest or strongest, but about adapting to our current realities.
Maybe you shift from chasing personal bests to running for the sheer joy of it. Perhaps you focus on maintaining your health or finding new challenges that fit your life stage.

The key to longevity is adaptation.