Be a good animal

     John J Kelley died recently (1930-2011).  He was a famous runner and coach.  He won the 1957 Boston Marathon, competed on 2 US Olympic marathon teams, and later coached runners, including the runner Amby Burfoot, the Runners World editor-at-large.
     Amby spoke at his service and summarized John J Kelley's beliefs:

Live simply.  Desire little.  Conserve as much as possible.

Play hard.  But always play fair.

Bask in the infinite beauties of each new day.  The sunrise.  The sunset.  The thick, disorienting fog of summer.  The cold, piercing hailstorms of winter.

Be a good animal.

Pick up a handful of rich, black earth.  Bring it close to your face.   Behold the miracle in your hand.

Read, sing, dance, explore, and dream.  Always keep dreaming.

Ask not what your world can do for you.  Ask what you can do for your world.

Gather family, friends, and community around you as often as possible to form an ecosystem where all take care of each other.

But also leave time and space for yourself to practice the personal reflection and renewal that we each need every day.

Lastly, and most importantly:  Love all living things.  Love all living things.  Love all living things.


     There could be no better prescription for living a good life.  John J Kelley had his priorities straight. 

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     Also interesting is a youtube video about fruitarian ultrarunner Matt Arnstein.  He has been a fruitarian for 3 years.  In the video he talks about being fruitarian while running and completing the Leadville 100 Ultramarathon and then winning a marathon 2 days later.  Impressive

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0j8NUFEJqI

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Man, - despite his artistic pretentions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments - owes his existence to a six inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains.   (author unknown)