The Race – July 22-23, 2017

What a weekend of excitement, fun and ‘off the hook’ moments with the people I love the most – my immediate family. 

On Saturday and Sunday my granddaughter had her very first official track meet since joining a track and field club a couple months ago – and I must confess it was quite an exhilarating roller coaster ride for our family. There were shouts of cheers, screams of coaching from the sideline, hugs, tears, smiles and lots of videos and pictures of the most amazing memory so far for Summer 2017…. 

Of course I got into my thinking and mental writing mode as I witness so many varied emotions and lessons learnt while sitting (most of the time I was actually standing) on the sidelines. 

Takeaway lessons while watching my granddaughter race towards the finished line: 

1. Everyone begins life at the same starting point —> a newborn baby. No one arrives on earth walking, teaching or running a business. It’s a fair and equal race the moment we enter this world. No one cares if you were born into royalty or not. It’s left up to you and I to pick up speed and head to the finished line.
2. Purpose not to give anyone’s ammunition to discredit you or your motives. Don’t be concerned about your naysayers (remember that you are competeting in a race). Do the best to get to the finished line. 
3. Stay in your lane. Even though we are free of the demands and expectations of everyone, we have voluntarily become a competitor. We are in the race for one purpose and that is to win.
4. Be ready. Pace yourself. Don’t just talk about it but be in it wholeheartedly. We all have been in a stadium and see other athletes run. So pace yourself so that you don’t get burnt out from opposing factors and distractors. Run to finish strong.
5. The race is NOT a rehearsal. The race has begun. Listen closely to your inner voice who will reveal all truths to you. Too many voices will distract you from running well. There’s only one voice that will make you feel like a winner and that is your voice. Your heart hears everything your mind is saying. 
6. Endurance. You can’t just feel like giving up because others in the race are ahead of you. Some people slow down when approaching the finished line – that’s definitely not a good time to throw in the towel. Quitters never wins. Don’t quit before the race is over 
7. Finish strong. Everyone runs, but only one wins the prize. Run to win. Run hard for the finish line. Give it everything you’ve got. Stay alert and in top condition.