Dodging Geese Poop in Life and Leadership
(This is the kind of post I only do when my wife is in another city. I’ll explain why in a minute.)
We were on vacation not long ago. I got to run in some incredible cities. I ran in Minneapolis, Fargo, ND, Sioux Falls, SD and Mason City, Iowa.
One word for everyday’s run. Glorious.
I worshipped. I talked to God. I dreamed. It was awesome. Loved it.
I came to this realization though:
The best places to run all have some common characteristics.
It was true on vacation last week in the cities I mentioned. It is true of my two favorite running cities of all time…Philadelphia and Chicago.
You see, the best cities in which to run, in my opinion, have these attributes in common:
A river (Insert lake or ocean where appropriate…as in the case of Chicago)
A path beside the river
The peace and tranquility of running on the path beside the river
The chance to connect with nature and God along the river
But, here’s the other thing I learned…and the point of this post.
The best places to run require dodging geese poop.
(There. I said it. That’s the part my wife wouldn’t have wanted me to say. She wouldn’t think a nice blog like this, written by a mostly nice pastor like me, about leadership and life, should use an analogy…or a word…like in this post.)
But, it is true. I and I think you need to know…if you want to run in the best cities…
You’ve got to dodge the geese poop. No one scoops and bags for geese.
And, right about now, you’re wondering why you’re even still reading this post. I understand.
Well, it’s because…as I was dodging the geese poop, it occurred to me.
The same principle is true in life and leadership.
You can settle for mediocre.
You can choose to go for second best.
You can compromise before the right decision is made.
But, if you want to experience the best life has to offer.
If you want to settle for nothing but the right decision.
You have to dodge the geese poop of life.
The path to the best places in life are often lined with difficulties along the way.
It’s messy, filled with setbacks, conflict and obstacles. There will be times we are tempted to give up, choose an easier route, or quit before the end is in sight.
It’s a choice. You can “run” where you want to run, stay on the boring and safe treadmill of life if you want, but, as for me, no doubt about it, whenever I get the chance, I’m choosing to run by the river.
I’ll just watch out for and endure the geese poop. I know it’s a part of the path.
Are you on one of those “river” paths of life right now?
Don’t give up…the Glorious part is coming!
