I was thinking the other day about burdens. Sometimes we know about them; sometimes we’re unaware. More about that in a moment.

As I thought about this, I recalled one of the most memorable images I’ve witnessed while running a race. Believe it or not, it was a runner wearing an Eiffel Tower replica. No kidding.

According to a 2016 article, Mr. Bach has ran in over 200 races around the world. Occasionally he “dons the Eiffel Tower to stand out and embrace his Frenchness.” I don’t recall which race I ran where I saw him (seems like it was either New Orleans or Little Rock), but I was at a loss for words. I believe donning a patch or tattoo of the flag would suffice, but that’s just me.

There are seasons we are well aware of the burdens we have donned. They may have been our choice; they may have been chosen for us. We adjust. We manage. We embrace. When the season is over, we take our learnings and enjoy the lighter season ahead.

Then there are moments where we suddenly awaken to the reality we’ve been carrying a burden without any knowledge when we acquired it. Here’s one that I became aware of a few years ago: Ungrieved Loss. I tell you, that awareness lives out the phrase “knowing is half the battle.”

So how do we wake up to these burdens? I don’t have all the answers to that question, but here are some guesses.

• Your last sad moment might be a start.
• What causes your heart heaviness?
• What’s something you obsess over that is out of your control?
• What if you asked your closest friend what burdens they believe you carry?
• Finally, name that thing you know needs to be drawn into the light.

You know, Michel might be on to something. It’s possible he dons a burden he’s aware of in order to bring to light one that’s in the dark. Extreme? Maybe. I’m guessing he lives a lighter life than the rest of us.

Here’s to the pursuit of better burden management, the known and the unknown.