RACING AGAINST TIME

Although life has always been a race of some sort, lately, the competition seems to be more aggressive and furious than ever before, almost a survival of the fittest. Since we were very young until the present, whatever age you are, there has been pressure coming from all directions pushing us to be the best we can be, to differentiate ourselves from everybody else somehow, and sometimes at any means. Parents, educators, coaches, and (business, religious and even political) leaders want us to be the best we can be, to be more productive, efficient, and smarter. It seems lately that we are not good enough as we are, regardless of how smart, experienced, nice, etc., we are because there is always someone better than us.

It seems that we are always racing to differentiate ourselves from somebody else at all stages of life, whether it is from a brother or sister, a neighbor, a relative, a coworker, a team player, etc. Everyone wants to be the smartest, the best student or worker, the prettiest or most handsome, the best singer, the best sportsman or woman, the fittest, the kindest, etc. We all want to be one step ahead of our competition because this race is not just a competition. It is about winning! The fact is that we all want to feel special…to be better than everyone else.

We see this everywhere nowadays. Being an “A” student, a good student, is not enough anymore. You need to be Valedictorian or have a very high-grade point average. Playing sports well is not enough anymore. You need to have certain physical and mental abilities and be willing to take training and competition to an extreme. Singing beautifully is not enough. You must dance, entertain, and sell your soul so you can become an artist. Even having a good education and experience is not enough anymore. Employers want you to be able to know and have experience with everything. Basically, being good, smart, experienced, etc., are not enough, being you is not enough. You must be better than what you are if you want to succeed. So, when is enough, enough in this scenario?

Never! If we are always racing and competing for every single thing in our lives, whether it is the love of a woman or a man, a position in a company or a team, a place in a university, a promotion, etc., it will never be enough. The race will just get harder and harder, and the competition tougher and tougher. The fallacy on this scenario is that racing is not the solution for anything. Why? Because the entire concept of racing and competing for everything is faulty and wrong, and at the end, it only brings more problems than results. Yes, there is a place for competition, but temporarily and for certain activities like sports or science in the case of stimulating creativity and innovation.

Not all competition is bad. It depends on the situation and the emphasis of the competition. When individuality is more important than team work (cooperation), when winning at all cost is more important than the process, when imitating is more important than creativity, when competing is more important than the goal, when fear is more important than learning, when getting validation or attention is more important than the team, and when diminishing others is more important than growing and competing fairly, then you are going to have a myriad of unforeseen negative effects compared to the expected one or few positive results.

Imagine living on an island completely alone, off the land. You wouldn’t care how you dress, look, talk, etc.; how you sit or eat; where you live or go; or… You wouldn’t for sure be worried about how big or nice your house and car are or how many possessions you have. All you would want is a secure, comfortable place to live, food to eat, and water to drink; and survive and live as comfortable as possible. So why is it that we behave complete the opposite when we are surrounded by other people? Because we are subjugated by the pressures of society and of our own (always comparing to others). We are in a race of our own against everyone and everything all of the time. This is not a way to live!

But you do not have to live like this. Although society, the establishment, and yourself (consciously or unconsciously) want everything in life to be a race, it is up to you to make sure that you do not race, and better, that you do not participate in any race at all. For this, you have to realize first that you are already in a continuous race, that you are racing against everyone and everything, including yourself, and that if you play this game, you will lose. Quit racing and do not play the game anymore! Live life to the fullest at your own capacity, at your own ability. That is more than enough regardless of what you are able or not able to accomplish and of what others think.

Each of us has the ability to be a genius on something. So, work hard at what you like, at what you are passionate about, at what you are good at. If for some reason you have to race, then race against time! Race to make the biggest impact in the short time you are here, to take on projects that will make a difference for humanity and the world (earth), to fight for what is worth fighting for and to improve everyone’s and everything’s wellbeing. Apply always the “do not leave anyone behind” rule. Lift everyone and everything else up and bring them to your level. Imagine a world where everyone will try their best for the common good! Or at least, if everyone else cannot, you can!

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Author: Maurice Correa
Website: pathtoone.com
Blog: p2oblog.blogspot.com