All of us are always in a hurry to reach somewhere. Right from our young age, we are told to be busy running around and if we are idle that could be the worst thing that can happen to us. Being idle is termed as wasting time and doing nothing but in the current situation I think we all need some idle time! More than ever now it even seems mandatory to take time for ourselves.
We have been pushed into a notion that always running for something or towards something makes us successful and that we are growing by being busy always. But that to me is madness and not growth. Our human body is designed to take a break now and then else our body might shut down on its own to take that much needed rest! I am not against working hard but definitely not fine with working over board. Hard work is much needed and I have huge respect for people who have succeeded and have grown from grassroot level. But stressful work and overwork is what is not good.
The trend that’s going around now is that people are doing multiple jobs to have a good life. But what criteria does it take to term it as good life matters. Peer pressure and societal norms take up a major part of our lives and even the peaceful environment that we are in would look less impressive when that pressure builds up. We would be willing to sacrifice all that just to be equal to them or even go ahead of them. But what did we lose along the way? I would say everything! Our life, our peace, our time, our health, our nature and I would go on to say ourselves!
We need to watch out when we are overwhelmed in this rat race.This is where we need to stop and take a break. Everybody’s race is different and everyone’s pace is different. There is no point in running at the speed of someone else when your own need is not that! Just because others are chasing something, we need not do it too. Both our needs could be different and both our direction of focus could also be different. Be wise to choose your own race!
Don't try to compete with someone else when you are not even supposed to participate in their competition.
There will always be someone below us! I am the kind of person who would look at people below me and be thankful for the life I have now! I am no way better than anyone but I am blessed to know where I am today and I would never choose to run even a little bit faster to match someone else. This is my pace and I am more than happy with it. I have also made the mistake of choosing to run a little faster and had to learn the hard way that I would never win this race because there will always be someone ahead of me and I would never be satisfied in life! I stopped and started moving at my own pace. I did not become lazy but had time to genuinely upgrade my skills and become the best in what I do.
Take time to look around! You will be surprised to know there are so many who do not even know they are a part of a race that they did not sign up for! They run because everyone around them is running. They are scared that if they stop, they would be termed as not fit and they might be left out! I would say, let them think so, so what? This peer pressure leads to so many unwanted troubles that's of no value! Losing yourself in this mad race is not worth it at all.
Watch out and be someone who would run the race at your own speed. Don't let anyone tell you what to run for and how to run. You know your need, you know your speed. Deep down you have always known what to focus on and look for! Run for it at your own timing. No point is hurrying to reach a place that was not your destination to begin with. We would end up wasting our time reaching the wrong place. At the end, when we look back, all we might have would be regrets and wasted moments which could have otherwise been a great run if only we could have chosen the right runs in the first place.
Not everyone is meant to run the same race. Some races could be marathons, some could be relays or some could be even sprints! It all depends on our capacity and nature. All our needs are different and all our destinations are different. We would fail miserably when we choose to run a race that was not meant for us. We might either go weary or might even break down and collapse along the way. What is the point in running towards a destination if we might never even make it to the finish line? If we don’t get to enjoy the point of reaching the final line, however slow it is, what's even the point in running a race?
You were called to run your own race, at your own pace! Don’t ever do the mistake of comparing your speed and growth with anyone. Run, walk or even crawl but make sure you own the decision of doing that! I am very positive that we will reach our destination that was meant to be ours and I am sure it will be more beautiful than we thought it would be. All it takes is your courage to stop when you are tired and run when needed.
May all our stops and starts be as beautiful as they were always meant to be!
Have a great run but please make sure it's your own race !!
About the Author
Shalini Solomon comes with close to 15 years of industry experience in the Human Resources space. She is currently designated as Head - People and Values with Kazh Fintech Private Limited. She likes to interact with people and makes sure they have the space to grow and learn and are free to work without any pressure. People first is always her approach. She holds an Engineering degree in Computer Science.