insights from the pavement

2 posts within 24 hours?  Am I out of control with this blogging thing?!!!!  I can't help it.  I went for an hour-long run this morning outside and pondered a lot of things, but mainly one thing.  I ran across a quote yesterday which lit a flame in me.  Here it is:

"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Grab life by the mane. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion." 

- Mark Batterson

I don't know who Mark Batterson is and I didn't know what it was about this quote that caused this stir in me.  I mean a BIG STIR.  I even posted this quote on my Facebook profile under "Favorite Quotes."  That's a big step.  Last night, I decided this quote pretty much sums up the type of person I'm trying to become.  I didn't even know it till I found this quote.  Then it occurred to me this morning, somewhere around mile 4....THIS is the kind of guy I want to marry someday.  Is my goal lofty?  Ambitious?  Elusive?  Maybe.  But it's true, and pardon my bratty tone, but I'm. Not. Settling.  No matter how long it takes...if ever.

There are many things I like about this quote because it not only talks about living an adventurous life pursuing God and His passions, but it also talks about making mistakes.  Not that anyone should intentionally set out to make mistakes, but when those mistakes happen, they don't define the course of that person's life.  The past mistakes or potential future mistakes doesn't hold the person back.  I also really like the part about "stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution."  AMEN.  How burdening, when people come to you with problems but don't provide any alternatives or solutions!  Sometimes, people just need to vent, and I tooooootally understand that.  Believe me, I've been there...am still there sometimes.  But when it goes past venting to dwelling in the problem, that's not so pleasant, is it?

I'm really glad I'm starting to get back out on the pavement on Saturday mornings.  I missed those days.  Although the trail thoroughly kicked my butt, and I mean thoroughly, (I started hurting after 10 minutes), I feel good right now.  All it took was for me to run through the temporary pain for a few minutes and then it was smooth sailing from them.

Now I get to go enjoy what will be a very productive Saturday....a tad bit more organization in my home office...dishes...grocery shopping...topped off with an afternoon of canoeing!  Will the river's insights beat the pavement's insights?  That would be too cool!!!!