Life is not a competition…there’s room for all of us!
So often, amidst all the talk of living our dreams and achieving our goals, we are led to believe that life is a competition. There are so many of us who seem to be racing towards the same finish line that it becomes hard not to think of besting the other racers on the track and leaving them choking on our dust. At the same time, as we look to surpass the dreamers and “haters” around us, we begin to compare their lives and successes to our own- leading some to increase the pace and stride of their step, and others to simply stop running altogether.
I have never been one for much competition. Sure, I may go in and get aggro during a night of bowling or a game of cards, but that’s all in good fun. In life, particularly when it comes to the daily grind of reaching for the stars of my dreams, I’m definitely more reserved and quiet. Instead of adopting a war mentality, as many seem to do, I tend to compare myself to to those around me; and in doing so, I lose steam. I’ll be the first to admit that this is a fault of mine- and one that I’m constantly working on- but I’d be lying if I said that watching some of the talented people in my heat (keeping with the race metaphor) take off, increase speed and pull ahead of me doesn’t make me want to stop running, grab the water boy, and hit the showers. In my head there’s been little point to continuing on.
What’s dawned on me recently, and has begun to change my thinking and perception of the undertaking that is my hopeful journey to international success, is the fact and the knowledge that I am a valuable and talented being in my own right and in my own way; and that greatness can not only apply, but also call to many people the world over. There are billions of people on this planet- each with different tastes, lives, backgrounds, thought patterns, likes, dislikes and interests. Who’s to say that thousands if not millions of them won’t connect with me being me, saying what I have and want to say, the way I was born to say it? Because of this, I’m realizing there is no need for competition…there is room for all of us. An example that just popped into my head is Kelly Rowland. Sure, she may not have the same type of talent and fame that her former bandmate Beyonce has in the United States, but that chick is a force to be reckoned with in Europe. You think she’s counting her “When Love Takes Over” coins wallowing in a pool of tears over why she’s not #1 over here? Doubtful.
We are all spectacular. We will all shine. There is no race against time or another human being- for we are all opening doors and paving the path for each other to move ahead into the spotlight of our own dreams. We don’t all want the exact same thing, so there’s no use in pretending or forcing ourselves into believeing that we have the same destination. You can do you, I can do me, and we can both get what we want. It’s a good thing, too; cuz I’m tired of running.
2 responses to "Life is not a competition…there’s room for all of us!"
Beautifully expressed. It really did touch me to read this from your point of view. I’m writing a song where I included the line “Life is not a competition” and then I Googled the phrase just to see different people’s opinion about it. That’s how I found your blog.
“Who’s to say that thousands if not millions of them won’t connect with me being me, saying what I have and want to say, the way I was born to say it?”
So true. I think everyone who reads this will connect with it in some way, because we’re all trying to be seen, to be heard, to be unique, to be accepted yet independent… and the realization that everyone’s unique talents are needed and that there is actually room for all of us.. that’ll make us all feel like we have a given place in this world, that we are needed.
Thank you for this wonderful and poetic post, and for your positive energy – thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you, so much for your comment, Thelma! I’m so glad that you connected with the message of this post. I forgot about this post, and your comment- inspiring me to re-read what I had written- was a great reminder that life, indeed, is not a competition. Good luck with the song. I hope to hear it one day!