The Race

For the last few nights, Dave and I have been watching Eco Challenge: The World's Toughest Race. I love watching races. I also like doing them, but that often requires preparation and I'm not so good at that part.

And this week, this show is exactly what I needed. I've been struggling these last few weeks... and I'm kind of at the point where I'm driving myself nuts. One minute I feel euphoric, Iike I've been given a new lens to view life, and the next minute I'm so low I want to drown in chocolate and ice cream. The highs and lows are overwhelming.

But as I watched these racers fight their way through a brutal 11 day excursion, one theme evolved. Team work. People. Community. Togetherness.

No man was left behind and no man was made feel guilt or shame if they held their team back or were forced to quit. These team members pulled each other through the peaks and valleys of the race and their love for each other was so often apparent.

And this is so much what I am experiencing in my life right now. These highs and low, peaks and valleys. Light and dark. And it would be overwhelming save for one thing. The teamwork. The People. The Community. The Togetherness.

I can hardly pee by myself right now with the number of people offering support in one way or another. And while I hate being the weak one on the team, there is no shame or guilt in accepting care and help when needed.

But more than that, I have not had one second to feel lonely or alone in my struggle. The messages, the texts, the emails, the phone calls, the drop bys, the visits. They fill me up and they encourage me to carry on and live life.

And even more, even on the silent days when I don't hear from anyone, when the world around me is humming along as it normally does. Even on those days, I feel the togetherness. I know that when I need someone, they're only a call away.

So I run. I will run my race to the very best of my ability. Without a thought as to where the finish line may be, but focused on living through highs and lows, supporting and being supported. Helping and being helped. Loving and being loved.

Because in the end, the finish line doesn't need to be the prize. We don't just arrive at a magical finish line, all settled and ready to live in peace and security. The finish line means certain death in the race of life.

Embrace the race. Embrace the racers, the guides, the checkpoint volunteers, the pack carriers, the medics, the support people. Embrace the journey. For hidden in the depths of great pain, is great freedom.