Have You Been Running Lately?

I was in a poor, pitiful mood yesterday. Those things happen sometimes.

I was in a better mood this morning - complacent. Then complacency turned to sadness and sadness leads to thought. Sometimes thinking isn't a good thing.

I want to go outside and run. I want to run until I can't feel my legs underneath me. I want to run until I see the edge of the earth. I don't want to run because I'm scared -- there's nothing to be scared of. I don't want to run because there's something to run from -- there's nothing. I want to run because it's the best way I know how to move. When I run, all I think about is my heart rate, my pace, the sky, trees and the breeze.

Most of the time, running ends where it begins. The finish line was once the starting line. Running is the easiest way to get back to where you were.

Running is quite different from life in that way. You can't get back to where you started in life, but you can pick up where you left off. The trouble is the picking up part. The trouble is life is short, even though it's the longest thing you've got on Earth. It's funny how God can do that.

Life is like running, though. In running, you keep going. Your legs may get tired, you may get pains in your side, but you keep going because you have to get to where you're going. You have to keep going; you have to persevere. If you just stop, you can't expect people to support you. You can't expect to lead people or inspire them through your actions.

You keep running, no matter how far it is or how difficult it becomes. Run until you see the finish line.

I say this because I know a guy who ran his race, as hard as he could, until he reached the finish line. His race may not have been as long as some, but it was tough and he fought until the end. He always had a smile on his face and an infectious positive attitude and personality.

Houston was a big inspiration for a small town. He lost his almost decade long battle with cancer this morning, but he was a warrior. He taught us that when you have nothing left to lose, you keep fighting. Houston was the type of guy that even on his toughest days, he was there for you. Even when he was 15 years old, he lived life that way.

Please remember you guys, that this life is the longest thing you have on Earth and how you use it is up to you. Your attitudes are infectious. Your lifestyle can be an inspiration. Don't let a poor attitude slow you down. People will take notice.

Have a positive attitude. Your glass should always be full no matter what you're going through - not half-full or half-empty. Full to the brim.

Let your spirit be beautiful and let your light shine. The world needs it.

Just keep running.