Life, we've been told many times, is not a race. But reason along with me, isn't life a race? Aren't we always on the run to achieve some goals?
We were born into this race, we must run it to survive.
The moment you came out of man as a clot of congealed blood, you began your race. Just one out of the 100 Million cells became you; it is a race.
When you came out of our mother you raced to crawl, you raced to walk, and you raced to talk; it is a race.
You raced into primary school because that was what our age mate did; it is a race.
You raced into high school and chose disciplines you'd run fastest in; it is a race.
You raced into college or other institutions. It is necessary; it is a race.
You race to get a job, and raced to get a better job, and raced to get another better job; it is a race.
You raced into marriage - if you're not married at a certain age they tell you "your age mates have all gotten married"; it is a race.
You raced to get children.
You raced into old age, if you've not raced to death before then. At that time you realize you've been racing all your life. And from old age, you race into death.
Life is a race, but who are your competitors? Who's on your track racing against you? It's none but you. It is your race.
Your race is not to beat others at theirs. Your race is not to be better than others. Your race is to beat yesterday's best of yourself to attain today's best of yourself. Your race today is to be better than who you were yesterday. And your race tomorrow must be to be better than who you will be today.
Remember this race continues.
And I must warn you that on your track there are potholes; on your track there are broken bottles;
on your track there are
banana peels; and on your track there are precious stones. The potholes will break you; the broken bottles will wound you; the banana peels will fall you; and the precious stones will distract you. You will fail many times.
Each time you are broken; chin up, face up, and continue your race. When you're wounded; be strong, be healed, and continue your race. When you fall; look up, get up, and continue your race. When you get distracted; reactivate your consciousness, refocus your strategy, and continue your race.
Remember your race is to be better than who you were yesterday. And as you race on your track, always remember to pray to God for his strength and guidance.
Life is a race; run it.
Run your life.
Run your race.
Image Source: Mahrukh Haider, Deviant Art