Winning - An Engima (contd...)

I don’t know why but I’ve always been fascinated by the winning. That is perhaps the reason why I’m here with another post on this phenomenon. I never planned for a sequel or something but that just did happen because of the quote which ended yesterday’s post. I don’t know if many people have been inspired by that quote in past, but I surely know two individuals getting inspired all the time hearing that. No prize for guesses, first person is Rocky and second one is yours truly. So, finally I get a chance to feature my name alongside Rocky, otherwise we’ve nothing in common be it in terms of grit, determination, focus or even in the number of girl friends.

Anyways, proceeding with the phenomenon of winning, I would like to refer to an anonymous quote (or at least I don’t know who said it) – “Destination is important, but not as important as the journey itself.” It all boils down to the debate of ends v/s means. The end can always justify the means. But each and everything you do may not be focused towards achieving the means. As I see it, this is just like the F1 Season. You may not win every race, you may not even have a podium finish all the time; but in the end, the one who endures and comes out on top collectively is the Winner.

Moreover, I consider winning to be a subjective concept at few times. Apart from those obvious victories, I hold the view that it doesn't matter if you're a winner or not in the world's eyes at the end. It will matter though - to yourself - which you stood up for what you believed in, and kept standing. Again, if I cite an example from a place which is known for both kinds of winning- obvious and not-so-obvious: The Olympics. When Wilma Rudolph’s mother was told by the doctors at the hospital that her daughter would never be able to walk again (due to the polio), she didn’t believe it. It was that disbelief that enabled her child to walk years later. It was that same disbelief that allowed America to enthrone the first woman in history to win 3 Olympic Gold medals in a row.

Winning doesn’t restrict to sports, it has far more meanings across various spheres of life. Life is said to be cruel and unkind, but I believe that life will never be cruel or unkind to that person whose face is marred by sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. That person doesn’t derive any meaning of life; rather he is the one who gives meaning to “life” in general, for he is the person who has made the world know the real art of living- living a life of champion.

My last opinion for today’s post is that we are all champions in our own way. That doesn't mean every one of us has to be number 1 or be the best. However, it definitely calls for every one to give his/her best. If you aren't first, then make those people ahead of you break records by pushing them with your personal best. Consider for a moment what we achieve from competition apart from the sheer fun of competing - courage, perseverance, dedication, commitment, selflessness and most importantly, the will to excel. So, let the people remember that there was somebody with the name Peyush or Sandeep or Nishant or XYZ, who competed hard and lived as champion. Mohammed Ali once said,

“Champions aren´t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a dream, a desire, and a self-belief.”