Marcus Lopés

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Writing Life

Do Hard Things

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do hard things

Running the Toronto Waterfront Marathon last October, there were several moments when I wanted to give up. As the pain exploded in my right foot and my pace slowed to a walk, I remember thinking, ‘What the hell just happened?’ Everything just evaporated. The ease with which I was running. My breathing. My mental toughness. And my chance at setting a personal best. Over the years, running taught me I could do hard things. Only there I was, pulling off to the side to stretch, breathe, wallow, and attempt to regain my focus. But when I started running again, I knew I was in trouble. [Read more…] about Do Hard Things

Be Gentle

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be gentle

For most of my adult life, I have been hard on myself. Extremely hard. I have always set high expectations for myself, and when I don’t meet them or come up short, I’m disappointed. While I have been trying to be gentle with myself, it’s not easy. Even though I know it’s unrealistic for me to believe that I will succeed at everything or get everything right on the first try, deep down that expectation is still there. [Read more…] about Be Gentle

Just Be

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just be

In the last week, I’ve switched from taking the UP Express (the train from Union Station to Toronto-Pearson International Airport) to the Kitchener GO Train to get to work. At every opportunity, I take a seat by a window and stare at the rolling landscape. Sometimes I read. Other times the 30ish-minute journey is a time to reflect, to disconnect and just be. [Read more…] about Just Be

It’s Not a Competition

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not a competition

Life is a journey, and it’s not always clear where we’re headed or why we’re moving in a particular direction. Sometimes it feels awkward, and we wonder when that period of awkwardness will end. I’m wondering that myself because it feels like I’m stuck in a funk—and all the world is passing by me or ahead of me. So, I remind myself: it’s not a competition. [Read more…] about It’s Not a Competition

What’s Next?

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what's next

The end of 2023 isn’t that far off. As Halloween approaches, it won’t be long before Christmas displays start popping up in stores. Reflecting on the year so far, I’ve accomplished more than I sometimes give myself credit for. I quit a job where I was underpaid, undervalued, and that left me empty. I figured out how to spend most of the summer doing what I love. A recruiter found me and now—for the first time in years—I actually enjoy my day job. I published Bring Him Back to Me in August. And last but not least, I recently ran the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. The question is…what’s next? [Read more…] about What’s Next?