Counting Down: The race is not to the swift

I decided to end the year 2020 by counting down to 2021 when there were just ten days left in the year.

Normally when I count down, I would start counting from the next day instead of the present-day because it seemed to make the days go faster.

However, I decided to start counting from the present day for some reason. At first, I thought I was doing it just to be different from everyone else. 

Then I realised it was because I wanted to make the conscious decision of living every day fully, instead of jumping the gun and ignoring the present day just so I could feel things were moving fast.  

Doing this, I realised how many moments I had missed because I simply chose not to acknowledge the present day and focused on the future. 

There always seems to be something awaiting us in the future that takes our attention away from the present, but the thing is, we end up doing ourselves a disservice by not acknowledging the Gift God has given us..... 

The ability and time to live fully in the present without disturbance.

We are our own worst enemies, we like to compete with time and others just so that we don't feel left out or left behind.  

This is what I discovered while I was counting down to 2021.

Whether you start counting from the present day, which at the time gave us 10 days left in the year or the next day which gave us 9 days left in the year, we still all got to the finish line 31 at the same time...

However, the difference between acknowledging the present day and ignoring the present day, is that we get more time to do the things we need to do before the year ends.

Also by not rushing, we meet the opportunities meant for us at the right place and right time. Finding the fastest way to do something does not necessarily mean you have won the race or you are more efficient. 

You may just end up getting there at the same time as the one who took the time to understand and enjoy the journey and have no knowledge or understanding of the journey you took.

Counting 1234 to 10 if you started from the present day or 1234 to 9 if you began from the next day, gives the illusion that you will get there late and you are behind and have more work to do.  Don't let the illusion that the person ahead of you is way better than you and luckier until you get to the end.

After all the race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong. It is not about abilities, it never has been.  After all, time and chance happen to us all. It's not about who gets there first or finishes better. 

It is about timing and doing things the way they are meant to be done. 

The difference between missed opportunities and met opportunities are patience and time. Patience and time are the keys to successfully completing a journey and starting another.  

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