MARATHON
The way I see life, it is ironically similar to a marathon. I say ironically because in this time and age of technology and high speed internet, where the expectations are immediate, it would seem more like a 40 yard dash. But if we take a step back, and think about it, one cannot help but to see the resemblances to a marathon. In a marathon, you have thousands of strangers at a starting line, (birth). All these strangers are from all walks of life just running along with a similar purpose and that is to get to the finish line, (death). From the start to the end is where the race has meaning, (life). In the beginning everyone has the same goal to finish the marathon. They all look fresh, clean and energized. Similarly, a new born looks fresh, clean and energized at birth. Their skin is smooth and they smell great, unless they have a soiled diaper. They have that natural baby breath that naturally soothes whoever they come into contact with. They have a natural opera voice when they cry where they can shatter glass in their path when they have a need. In the life journey we all really start the same way. We want to go through life expecting to get to the finish line. In other words, at the end of our life, we should not have left any stone unturned.
In the life journey, as aforementioned, some may not think so but, we all start off the same way. The same starting line. Thinking otherwise are just excuses. They are self imposed excuses to justify a less than fully lived life. An infant does not know that it cannot succeed. Just watch children doing whatever it is that they want to do. They are fearless. They do not see their gender, weight, skin color, ethnicity, the family that they happen to be born into etc., as obstacles to accomplish whatever it is that they want to accomplish. Those obstacle are imposed by others. In my opinion, they are thieves that steal the dreams and aspirations of the children. Unfortunately, the majority of those thieves are their loved ones, like their parents. And not because they want their children to fail in life but because they are unaware of the damage that they are causing. They are unenlightened individuals radiating or expressing negative messages to their children and, I believe, that in a way it is unintentional, through ignorance. You see life is not perfect. It is not supposed to be perfect. Like a marathon, the runner goes through many phases. Some of that may be physical pain, thirst or hunger etc., but if you keep at it, a second wind kicks in and before you know it you're back on track on the road to a successful finish.
In a marathon, although there are thousands of individuals running, you're pretty much on your own. It is your decision whether to finish or use an excuse to quit. In the life journey, we are one person out of about 7 1/2 billion people on the planet. However, we are really all alone and our own master regarding how we want to live our life and how we want to finish our journey. We have the power and, I would add, the obligation to decide how we want to live our lives, totally independent on what others may think. We each have a purpose in life. Part of that purpose is to live a full life of our choosing. This life journey, will have bumps on the road, but, so what? What is the alternative? Your life is yours to decide how far you want to go. Just like a marathon, it is your race. I suggest to run your life journey/race to the finish line. Do not fear life, live it to the fullest. I leave you with a quote on point by Amby Burfoot. "Running has taught me, perhaps more than anything else, that there's no reason to fear starting lines or other new beginnings."
Just a thought.
In the life journey, as aforementioned, some may not think so but, we all start off the same way. The same starting line. Thinking otherwise are just excuses. They are self imposed excuses to justify a less than fully lived life. An infant does not know that it cannot succeed. Just watch children doing whatever it is that they want to do. They are fearless. They do not see their gender, weight, skin color, ethnicity, the family that they happen to be born into etc., as obstacles to accomplish whatever it is that they want to accomplish. Those obstacle are imposed by others. In my opinion, they are thieves that steal the dreams and aspirations of the children. Unfortunately, the majority of those thieves are their loved ones, like their parents. And not because they want their children to fail in life but because they are unaware of the damage that they are causing. They are unenlightened individuals radiating or expressing negative messages to their children and, I believe, that in a way it is unintentional, through ignorance. You see life is not perfect. It is not supposed to be perfect. Like a marathon, the runner goes through many phases. Some of that may be physical pain, thirst or hunger etc., but if you keep at it, a second wind kicks in and before you know it you're back on track on the road to a successful finish.
In a marathon, although there are thousands of individuals running, you're pretty much on your own. It is your decision whether to finish or use an excuse to quit. In the life journey, we are one person out of about 7 1/2 billion people on the planet. However, we are really all alone and our own master regarding how we want to live our life and how we want to finish our journey. We have the power and, I would add, the obligation to decide how we want to live our lives, totally independent on what others may think. We each have a purpose in life. Part of that purpose is to live a full life of our choosing. This life journey, will have bumps on the road, but, so what? What is the alternative? Your life is yours to decide how far you want to go. Just like a marathon, it is your race. I suggest to run your life journey/race to the finish line. Do not fear life, live it to the fullest. I leave you with a quote on point by Amby Burfoot. "Running has taught me, perhaps more than anything else, that there's no reason to fear starting lines or other new beginnings."
Just a thought.