Success
I
have been in New York City for 82 days now. This trip has all been about survival and setting my sights on emerging jubilantly triumphant in what I intended to do here.
Coming from a tropical environment and suddenly immersing myself in the middle of winter was a physical challenge. The first order of business was acclimatizing myself to the environment. Although bundling myself in layers of neoprene, cotton, wool and nylon garments and putting on a coat of skin moisturizing lotion helps, nothing beats physical preparedness.
I am happy with my progress. Brisk walking, running and doing uphill sprints have toned my muscles and improved my cardio-respiratory system. It has also improved my resistance to cold.
We are in the early days of the 2010 Winter Olympics and I cannot help but admire the stature of olympic athletes. The tenacity, patience, discipline and courage of the young men and women who endured weather and injuries to reach their personal best only to find themselves to be among the world’s best is admirable perhaps admittedly even enviable.
I have also just come across a beautifully crafted video clip titled HOME. What struck me were the words towards the end that goes..“what’s important is not what’s gone but what remains…” Yes I have lost my youth and agility. Impulsiveness and fearlessness have been replaced by discernment and discretion but my love of life remains strong.
The prospects of being an olympian is now or was never even a remote possibility. Does this depress me? In a way it does. Does it make me a lesser human being? No. I embrace my favorite lines from “Desiderata” whenever I face competition:
“If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.”
I have learned I have only myself to compete with. To be the best version of who I am is more than enough. Whether that will bring me to the roster of world greats is not my call. Let the gods decide my place in history.
To have conquered my fears and limitations is a glory I will bask in and celebrate from moment to moment…even if such victory takes a lifetime. There is no greater acknowledgement and gratitude for this wonderful life than doing our best always… every step of the way.
The paths and stops we have taken in life will have no bearing when we learn to accept and appreciate what we have become.
