“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.”
― Jack Kerouac, On the Road
Click image for Instagram movie
Bonus:
Tracksmith feat. Kerouac
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Author Archives: BillScott
Inspirational quote
I’m not a snow skier at all, but love the quote leading off this vid:
“There is no way to determine which path leads to a life well-lived
No right or wrong answers
Yet a rich, fulfilling existence is possible
Certain attributes lend themselves to finding substance on this mortal coil
Qualities found in those who seem to have found the key to a balanced life
It is up to each of us to find our own way along the way
So go forth, with an open heart, and live!”
Glenn Frey Quote
I was sad and surprised to hear that Glenn Frey died this past week.
“Take It Easy” was one of the first songs I learned to play on bass and then on guitar so Glenn’s voice has been going through my head for literally decades.
When I watched The History of the Eagles, this quote from Glenn stood out. It regards how he learned what it took to write a good song by overhearing Jackson Browne (through the floor boards) as Jackson composed in the apartment below his:
“Elbow grease, time, thought, persistence”
It obviously also applies to just about any endeavor, which is why I made a note of it to post later. Thanks and happy trails Glenn.
Nice Kickoff to the New Year
Billy Yang makes great films, usually of him or his friends running. His New Year’s post had a great quote in it from a poem by Mary Oliver, The Summer Day. I now suppose it’s oft quoted, but I had never read it previously:
“…
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
Best quote from this: “Always choose the window seat”
Why do hard things?
Gordy Ainsleigh, the first finisher of the Western States 100 (before it was even a footrace) and thus the father of ultrarunning once said, “Life is just too easy. Society is so cushioned that we have no opportunity for struggle. People are bred to struggle. We need to express that or else be incomplete.”
Photo courtesy of likesuccess.com
Digging this song
“…
There are no stories told in a vacuum
There is no prophecy lighting our way
There is just a lot of darkness to be afraid of
So it’s a good thing we are not afraidThere is no Superman in that phone booth
There is no rewarding our faith
There is no one who can save us
So it’s a good thing we don’t need to be savedThere are no starships in low earth orbit
No aliens to save us from ourselves
There is no voice willing to speak for us
So it’s a good thing we know how to yellThere is no chosen one, no destiny, no fate
There is no such thing as magic
There is no light at the end of this tunnel
So it’s a good thing we brought matches”
Blue Angels and high performing teams
I was reading a great interview on gawker with one of the Blue Angels, and the Naval Flight Officer talked about the awesome caliber of the team members:
“At the Blues, everyone on the enlisted side is absolutely Sailor of the Year quality. The best of the best. It was very refreshing and rewarding to work with 110 individuals that were all in tune and motivated for the same end-state. There was not a task too small, not a task too large, they just got it done. No follow up required, ever. You ask for something, you need something, and it’s done. Period.”
What struck me is that culture is the type that must be the goal for any team that aspires to be high performing. No wonder military “operators” like these so frequently go on to success in civilian careers (A’s hire A’s).
Image courtesy of Charles Atkeison
Just a cool inspiring video
…that makes me want to get outside:
A quote from one of the real McFarland, USA team members
McFarland, USA was released today. Here’s a great quote from one of the real team members:
“Winners can come from anywhere. Winning is intentional. It requires you to sacrifice, to do that hard work, whether it’s studying for the test or running early in the morning or after work, you have to purposely set your mind and your heart to accomplishing these goals. Even if you don’t win, just giving it your best effort, you’re going to win in life. It’s going to pay off for you.”
– Danny Diaz, a member of the 1987 McFarland HS cross-country team.
Here is the trailer from this movie. Even though it’s sure to have the Disney “sheen”, I’m still really up to see it!
Favorite song from my run today
Loser starts at :26:
“He’s a loser, pay no mind to what he says.
He’s a loser, he got rocks in both his hands.
He’s a loser, he can’t win, can’t place or show.
He’s a loser, and you know how much I hate to say I told you so.
I love you so. I love you so.
Troubles follows in his tracks, man that dude’s bad news.
Let it go, don’t call him back, his bad news follows you.
He’s a loser, call him anything you choose.
He’s a loser, and if he makes himself the blues.
He’s a loser, always stops when he says go.
He’s a loser, and you know how much I hate to say I told you so.
I told you so.
I told you so.
I told you sooo.”