2006 Tip #12:
Are We Living Life to the Fullest?

Following advice from the last message, I’ve enjoyed a few more fabulous sunrises.  Today at about 6 a.m., I first marveled at a full moon setting over the Mt. Diablo Foothills in huge form and bright orange colors.  Then, a few minutes later an even brighter orb emerged from the eastern horizon in glorious fullness and even deeper orange and red magnificence.  A new day has started. 

What will I do with it?  How good of a day can I make this---for those around me and for myself?

My daughter Tamara just got back from Echo Lakes and a week of counseling, coaching and running with teenagers a few years younger than her.  We traded stories---I took teams I coached up to this beautiful Sierra setting 20 years ago.  Some traditions of Runner’s Workshop camps haven’t changed.  At 6 a.m., the head coach comes by all the tent cabins with this wake-up call:  “Rise and shine!  It’s workout time!”

I had another version of this that I used at my own running camp on Mt. Tamalpias:  “Carpe diem!  Seize this day!   If you snooze you lose!”

Some groggy young athletes—teenagers having stayed up late—complained a bit at these admonitions and early stirrings, but maintain lasting memories of good times and grand adventures on these trips.

Each sunrise offers an opportunity –and can be the occasion for us to ask: “Are we living Life to the fullest?”

Psalm 118:24 honors this new beginning this way:  “This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Oops. Checking my watch.  Got to get going!  Time is marching on ---I’m off to a short run and then to Sacramento! 

Have a terrific and full day!