Stop Running.

[India, Mahesh Kumar]

Life

isn't

 a race.

Life

has

no

winners or losers.

It's

not 

about

who runs

hardest

or

fastest.

Life

isn't 

a

contest

that lasts

90 years

but a

long walk

of

growth

through

trials, tribulations,

 and the

lessons 

and

joy

they bring.

Effort

 to live well

could be

 miserably comedic 

if

you make life a

 competition.

You think

you're on

a running track

but

you're in

 a massive park.

You

 huff and puff,

minding your own business.

You

eye those

 ahead

and

take delight
in watching those 
behind.

When you compete,
everybody is your
rival.
You don't
rub shoulders with your neighbours.

You
doubt 
anyone nice.

You
speculate
more than you should.

Everybody is
suspicious,
so
you
 elbow
before
they elbow you.

What a
laughable sight!


How different is this
compared to
a hamster scrambling 
frantically and diligently 
to
nowhere 
but
within the toy-wheel?

*

There's
no energy 
to
enjoy
anything
if life is
strenuous
as this.

Life is a
gift
and
gifts
don't torture,
but
bring pleasure.

You torture
yourself
when you
perverse
 the gift.

What are the 
prizes
you're running for?

Are you enjoying
as you run,
alone?

Slow down.

It's not a race.

Peel your eyes from
yourself.

Look to your
left and right.

Walk
with people.

Open your heart.
Share.
Give and Receive.

This is where
enjoyment
begins.

*