Calendars and Running Shoes.

"Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of."

-Charles Richards

Sorry to bust your bubble.

But you won't live forever.

While the calendar might show the days ahead, those days are not guarenteed.

In fact I can think of 5 truths associated with time:


1. There are only as many days on the calendar as you make use of (see above reference :))


2. You aren't guarenteed to be around for all of those days just because they show up on your wall calendar.


3. Time flies.


4. Life is short.


5. You are only guarenteed today. Right. Now.

I don't remind you of this to conjure up feelings of gloom and doom. Quite the opposite. I think that even though those truths can somewhat drive home feelings of our own mortality, they aren't all bad. How often do you know something for sure? Not very.

It's kind of refreshing to know that you don't have any control over how long you are here but you have all the control in the world (in fact you are the only one who does) over what you do with the time you have.

Some recent events have caused these truths to the forefront of my mind. 

I've started to think about the way I want to spend each day and the things I enjoy-and want to freshly prioritize them.

One of the things I really enjoy is running. So I'm going to make sure I make it a priority in my life. It makes me feel strong both physically and mentally. Running gives me an appreciation for my body and what it can do when it pushes with me through the miles.

And when I feel like I have taken time out for myself (first thing in the morning) it puts a positive spin on my day.

Also I really enjoy half marathons. To me, it feels like the perfect distance. The perfect amount of training time involved (not too much, not too little). And the chance to do something fun and active.

Everyone talks about living each day like it is your last, but that's not always practical. But you can make each ordinary day as close to your ideal as possible with a few small changes here and there.

When I think of the perfect day it would start with a nice long run, and since that is something that is perfectly reasonable (most mornings) I intend to do it.

So even though I can't run a half marathon everyday, I can train for one....so I'm all registered for the Half Marathon in Richmond VA on November 12, 2011.

Woo hoo!

What's something you would like to do every day?

What small changes would you make to make yourself healthier and happier?