The best advice I’ve ever received is “run your own race.”
For as long as I can remember, my parents have reinforced the importance of “running your own race.” I didn’t quite get it when I was younger, but I appreciate it now and drill the same advice in the hearts and minds of my children.
If we aren’t careful, we’ll run ourselves into the ground trying to keep up with everyone else. We often set expectations and fall victim to the tyranny of urgency because of comparison. We aren’t all called to the same destination at the same time, so there’s no need to concern ourselves with the pace of those around us.
“Run your own race.”
Your journey is tailormade for you; every twist and turn was strategically placed to build endurance, stretch your faith and move you closer to your goal. This advice carried me through my breast cancer journey and continues to keep me focused even now.
This advice reminds me to give myself grace, focus on breathing, and to cheer for others as they reach milestones in their journeys.
I hope this advice brings comfort to someone who may feel as though they’ve fallen behind and motivates someone who feels as though they’re finally pushing ahead to keep going.
The greatest lesson I’ve learned from this advice is: even though we all have our individual races to run, no one runs alone. There’s a community of support running alongside you and cheering you on every step of the way.
Your race. Your pace. Keep pushing.
