"LIFE IS A RACE. IF YOU ARE NOT IN A RACE, YOU WILL BE LEFT BEHIND" is a statement quoted by many people, and also in many movies. But don't you ever felt that statement is vague and ambiguous.
First let us understand the definition of race (not the categorization of humankind) as mentioned in dictionaries.
- A contest of speed, as in running, riding, driving, or sailing.
- Any contest or competition, esp. to achieve superiority.
- A situation in which people compete to be first to achieve something.
- Onward movement; an onward or regular course
The choice, i believe, is prerogative of each individual. One of my friend said that he "would rather walk alone than run with the world." Does that mean he is out of his mind? I think he is interested in 5 Km Walkathon rather than a 100 m heat.
Let us look into different peoples' approach towards their race ie life...
Case 1: Usain Bolt participating in marathon: A person wants to win every stage of the marathon with energy level needed for 100m/400m sprint,thus creating records but he may probably get exhausted at middle and have to give up the hopes of winning the marathon.
Case 2 : If Usain Bolt participated only in 100m dash in Olympics: This man is smarter. He wins the Olympics/ important tournaments with record-timing but doesn't participate in each and silly 100m dash.
Case 3: Michael Schumacher trying to win 100 m dash or marathon: It a person who is born to race in F1 but by peer-pressure takes part in athletics
Case 4: Usain bolt's son and nephew also participating in 100-dash: Junior bolt may be born for marathon/walkathon but society demands him to be sprinter just like society demands actor's son to be an actor.
Case5: Persons participating in Pentathlon: These are the person who love multiple disciplines and though not champion in each discipline individually but collectively they are top contenders to win tournament.
Case6: If Michael Schumacher had Retired after winning just single championship and start cursing Alonso and Raikkonen: These type of people get satisfied after achieving short-term goals and lose their way, then start blaming other people who are still trying to achieve and win.
Case7: Michael Schumacher comeback: These type of people has achieved lot and still have passion in life and work just for the passion sake and try to win for passion rather than defeating others.
Case 8: 4*100m relay: The people in this class run a 100 m sprint then pass on the baton i.e knowledge to others so that, indirectly he achieve his goal.
There may be many other cases, but i believe these 8 are enough to understand how each person's life is different from each other and though life is a race,the arena shouldn't be generalized.
Though competition is great motivator, lets not make it unhealthy by bringing in competition in non-conflicting and non-intersecting issues.
