Race of Life

How do you run a race? Well you just start running.

Which direction should you run in? There can be a few options: Road 1 – Nice road, refreshments on the way, crowded, destination more like a ladder. Road 2 – Less travelled with few people, long journey but can be fun depending on what your idea of fun is. Road 3 – What road? There is nothing here; do you want to find something?

Choose one. Barge in. Do your best. 

What if you don’t like it? It’s too tough for you? Don’t quit, quitters end up nowhere. It’s too easy for you, no satisfaction in running? Change my dear, nobody’s stopping you. Your family has gotten used to refreshments? Continue unhappily or involve them in change. It can be rough but that’s what you want, right?

How long will you last? Nobody knows that before running. There are talented runners on a particular road but passion can also be useful; and perseverance.

Will you be able to beat others? Wrong approach! Why do you even want that? Some are running in racing cars, some with crutches. Your race is only with yourself and not with your neighbour.

How will you win then? You go farther than expected. You dig in your reserves. You defy the odds my friend and you destroy the limit you have put on your own reach. Even then, you continue – you go on.

I am afraid of falling; I might just end up a complete failure. Yes, you might. So? You might also be the best ever to do it. There is no Oracle in the real world.

Will success and winning make me happy and failure sad? No! Never! Success has nothing to do with happiness, nor failure with sadness. Happiness is a state of mind. Be happy that you can run, even happier that you can choose the race you want to run, happiest that this is what you want for yourself. Choose freedom, choose happiness. They are choices, not results.

Others are at advantage, I have only one leg. What others? Erase them. One leg! So you have that, no? Use it. Even if you don’t have that too – so what? Stretch, crawl, push with whatever you have. You have what you have. Cribbing won’t take you even an inch farther.

Why run at all? Frankly speaking, no need. But then you are lost. You may choose not to run but you must choose to travel. Set your own pace. It can be slow and steady but you should move. For the paucity of a better word, call it ‘Journey of life’. Ever heard of still water with malaria mosquitos and free flowing river? That’s the difference if you move.

The purpose is yours, the will is yours, the path is yours, the journey is yours, the goods are yours, the falls are yours, the destination is yours, the pain is yours and so is the joy – what you leave for others is just a trail and a story – be it ordinary, be it inspirational.

Why you are in it may be difficult to understand, but while you are at it – make it worth!

Challenge yourself in this race; you may set your own pace

In this race you should embrace, setbacks and challenges you face

But with grace and passionate gaze, you can set the fire ablaze

At the end of road and maze, journey lives beyond time and space!