Race Not

Pedro regularly goes for a morning walk. One day, an older person overtook him while walking. Pedro’s ego was challenged. Although he was tired and dehydrated, he briskly walked… eventually he broke into a run till he overtook the elderly chap.

However, he realised two pertinent lessons. He missed the turn to his home and lost time getting back. Secondly and more importantly, the senior person was not in the race and unaware that Pedro was in competition with him.

So often, so many of us run a race with a person who is oblivious about the contest. We get into rivalry without reason. We want to buy a bigger car, a bigger seat, better curtains, better cutlery… when someone acquires something new.

Even in a sports race, the main focus is on reaching the destination fastest on the track. It is definitely not in overtaking a person moving on the side-lines. We must focus on our own purpose, path and performance.

   

We must stop the unnecessary race. In the quest to run a race where there is none, we end up getting worked up and stressed out. We end up going off-track onto a road to unhappiness. We must stop being unnecessarily competitive.

For happiness, heed the following thought

Run well to your destination but race not!

~ Pravin K Sabnis