Ran a long run this morning, up a highway and out into the countryside. Beautiful views, sun rays pouring over the mountains, several fluffy clouds, a few really noisy trucks and one very pissed off rattlesnake. I was running down a stretch of highway and I saw what looked like a rope flying across the road after being blown there by some oncoming traffic. As I approached this rope, I realized suddenly as it came alive and coiled up really quickly that this was not a rope but a snake. It was a small rattler, not a large diamond back that you see in the movies. However, in that moment your brain does not make the distinction, it says snake and that is all that I need to hear. I jumped high and to the side. The little snake tried to strike but he was still a little dazed from being plowed through by a semi trailer truck.
The thing is that I had this really cool thought that I was pondering as I was running. I had been working on it for several miles and it was starting to become a crystallized thought that I could put into this blog. However, something about being startled by a hissing, pissed off rattler has made me completely forget the awe inspiring thought that I had. Sorry, it was cool too. Anyway, I am reminded of how real and instinctual the primal mind really is. I was faster and more nimble then a cirque acrobat in that few moments of panic.
It had something to do with the value of pursuing life on the edge. Not climbing Everest in a bathing suit type of edge, but pushing yourself beyond your mind’s mental limit and beyond. Finding where your mind wants to make you stop, that is the edge, and then pushing farther. It is the experience between the edge of your mental limit and your failure where things become real, vivid, brilliant and beautiful. It is short and fleeting, but that is where you feel like you really accomplished something, achieved your best, gave it your all and found a way to overcome. In your life you will find rare moments when you will have the capacity, ability, willingness, desire to push beyond your limits, before life is over I hope that you have a few chances.
Guy Reams
