Yesterday we considered the art of finishing well and compared it to running all the way through the tape in a race.  But the truth is, neither life nor school is a race—the goal is not simply to arrive at the end as quickly as possible. 

So, perhaps a better analogy is climbing a mountain. 

In Purgatorio, Dante describes his ascent up the Mount of Purgatory, led by the poet Virgil, observing that along the way, “There we both sat and rested for a while, facing the rising sun the way we’d climbed, for looking back can sometimes help you on.”

A running coach will tell you never to look back in a race—but sometimes, we need to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, to consider the heights we’ve climbed, in order that we can continue well to the end.  Especially for the upper school, as you prepare for finals, let me encourage you—reviewing and studying all you have learned may not feel like rest, but it is a bit like “facing the rising sun the way you’ve climbed…”  If it seems like a lot, that’s only because you have come such a long way.  So, take a moment to appreciate the view…

…“for looking back can sometimes help you on.”

Have a wonderful day.