PERSPECTIVE

"It's so humid."

"I hate this cold weather."

"I don't feel like running today."

"Why don't they have more awards in MY age group?"

"Dammit, where's the remote?"

Most of us are guilty of uttering some of those remarks.

I'd like to offer a personal perspective.

A little over a week ago, a brilliant young man, who I had the pleasure to teach, lost his life, for his country, in Afghanistan. He leaves a wife and a grieving mother, father, sister and grandparents, as well as many, many friends. An Army Captain, and a member of the Green Berets, he was an outstanding student, athlete, and he was a hero. He died, in service of the United States, at the age of 29.

Three weeks ago, a friend, who was a father, grandfather, an Army veteran and a person who did not possess an evil bone in his body, was diagnosed with a tumor on his esophagus. Nine days later, he passed away at the age of 58. He stayed in shape by lifting weights and probably had less than 10% body fat. My fondest memory was attending a Dropkick Murphy's concert in Philadelphia, with him, his son, and my wife.

This morning, on Facebook, I read the courageous story of a young woman who, until last year, trained at an eight-minute mile pace. Then, she suffered a stroke. Today she is thankful to be able to log a couple of miles at a 12-minute pace.

Our ability to lace up our running shoes to go out there and do what we love to do is a great gift, which, despite our sense on invincibility, can be taken away in an instant.

On a daily basis, little things may annoy us, but let us never lose perspective.

If you are religious, thank God for this great gift of life, and pray for those he has chosen to take with him.

For us, the living, enjoy and appreciate every single moment. We all, this writer included, should attempt to be more tolerant, and less critical.

Appreciate your great family, friends, and pets.

Enjoy every second of the life with which we have been gifted.

I'm going out for a run.