As the conclusion of my senior year in high school rapidly approaches, I often find myself considering the inspiration and motivations that have led me to where I am today. Not long ago, l was a hefty sixth grader unaware of the possibilities that lay ahead of me. Fortunately, I took up running and became interested in the accomplishments of Steve Prefontaine. From this interest, I became introduced to an attitude that has positively influenced my life. Although I never met Steve Prefontaine, his quote, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift,” has provided me with a philosophy that I continue to guide my life by.

Through researching Prefontaine, I understand that this philosophy inspired him throughout the majority of his running career. He continually challenged himself into becoming a better runner. However, I have found that this same philosophy may be applied to life in general. From this quote, I now understand that the Gift is the opportunity to develop ourselves into outstanding human beings. Even in adverse times, every person is granted opportunities that allow them to develop as a person. Therefore, in order to take advantage of the Gift, it is imperative that people give their greatest effort in everything that they pursue. In Pre's case, he was given the gift of running. By continually giving his best in running, Pre was able to develop himself into a magnificent runner and human being who is still remembered today. If Pre had chosen not to continually challenge himself, he would have undoubtedly never developed into the runner and person he was. Instead, he may have chosen a path of mediocrity, and he would have sacrificed his gift.

Although I did not have the privilege of meeting Steve Prefontaine, his quote has provided me with the inspiration to overlook mediocrity and relentlessly pursue the development of my life. Without his advice, I would not currently be challenging myself by attending classes at Southwestern Oregon Community College during my senior year of high school. Instead, I would have settled for an undemanding schedule of courses where I would have sacrificed the opportunity to develop into the person that I am today. Thankfully, this is not the current scenario, for Prefontaine's quote has provided me with a philosophy that will not permit me to “sacrifice the Gift.”