Interview with author Ric Keller: ‘Few people take a risk and chase the bears’

Yes. One sunny Florida morning, my wife, Lori, and I were sitting at our kitchen table, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper. All of a sudden, a big mama bear and three cute little cubs scampered across our front yard just outside the kitchen window. It had never happened before. Without saying a word, we looked at each other, jumped up, and quickly ran outside to chase the bears. It might not have been our smartest idea. Florida black bears can run up to 35 mph. In comparison, Olympic sprinters run only 28 mph. Black bears typically mind their own business and won’t charge after you—unless you’re foolish enough to chase them. And, of course, we were.  We never caught up with the bears. Afterwards, it occurred to me that “chasing the bears” is a metaphor in life for chasing your dreams. Most people are content to stay inside, play it safe, and look out their windows as life passes them by. Eventually, the clock runs out. On the other hand, a few people take a risk and chase their dreams. They “chase the bears.” I wanted to help people pursue their dreams and be happy, so I wrote the book and called it Chase the Bears.