Life is a Marathon

Life is a race. Do you agree?

Some people live life as if it is a race. For them it a race for status, money, power or fame. They run after many things in life. Others do not subscribe to this point of view. They, on the other hand, think that life is to be enjoyed. Life is to be lived well. Life is about love and life is about happiness. Whatever outlook you may espouse, you cannot deny that life is a marathon. It is a long, hard run. The hard part is to adjust to all the setbacks that life hands over to you. The run part of the life which is the way you look at it. You may look at it as an enjoyable learning experience or a despicable series of lamentation. It is your choice.

Life, definitely, is not a 100 meter dash. A 100 meter sprint is a one-shot game. A minor mistake in the beginning of the dash, and you are out of the fray. You do not have time to think, plan and recover. But life isn’t like that. Life gives ample opportunity to the participant to comeback, to struggle and wiggle out of a difficult position. If you are prepared and have the correct mental make-up, it is possible.

In a typical 42km marathon run, you participate to enjoy the run. You also test your mettle, run against yourself and try to better your own record. In the course of a marathon, there are many ups and downs, hills and slopes that you may have to cover. While you run, you pass by wonderful scenery; you soak in the sights and sounds of the world around; you get time to breathe and time to contemplate during the run. You can also change your strategy while running and have time to relax as well. Moreover, everyone who crosses the finish line is a winner. The key to complete a marathon is practice, planning and endurance. Little setbacks in the beginning of a marathon do not carry any meaning at the finish line. The best part of the marathon is that, in spite of the fatigue and exhaustion at the end of the run, you feel extremely elated when you finish it.  When you are at the finish line, you feel as if all the hard work, practice and determination have paid off.

Life is like that. Life is not a series of one-shot contests. Life is not all about winning against others. It is making the most of yourself and becoming better than what you are as a person yesterday and the day before. It is about that feeling of elation that a marathoner has at the finish line.

So, how do you prepare for this marathon? First, change your outlook. Then, practice living as if life is a marathon.