The Flare of a Firework

Hello Sweet Friends!


This weekend I had the privilege of attending my oldest son's track event. He ran both the 100 meter and the 200 meter sprint. I was intrigued by watching the way the athletes prepared, personalizing their routines to equal their talents.

Before the race, the sprinters positioned themselves on their blocks. They started on their mark.

The first race was over quickly. The competitors ran with all the force and speed inside them to the finish.

I noticed that during the second race, double the distance, my son rounded the corner, looked up, and took about two foot lengths to run slower than his previous pace. Then he darted off to the end. Just that brief reprieve gave him the energy to complete the course.

That race reminded me of a fireworks display. There are glittery gold blazes of light that shoot up into the air as fast as they can and burn out immediately. And then there are masterfully designed profusions of light that leave the sky illuminated for several seconds.

What a lesson as we enter the work week. The course will be easily concluded, even when more is added, by starting on our mark, by pausing to look up and by taking a few steps slower than before. Just that short rest will give us the energy to complete the tasks before us.

I want to be a person who brightens the room for a few seconds, not someone that fires across the sky and burns out, too quick to really leave any sort of impression.

Best wishes,
Alis