Everyone knows that a race is not over until someone crosses the finish line. Almost everyone, that is. You can watch on YouTube videos that show athletes in different sports celebrating victory before crossing a finish line, a goal line, or a checkered flag. The results in the videos add up to defeat as days, weeks, months, and even years of hard work fall into the drain of presumption.
The folly of premature celebration appears to be typical of our species. In our excitement to reach the finish line, we sometimes allow pride its negative victory. Trying to lose weight? Trying to kick an addiction? These are races against tough competitors that won’t give up. Being in the lead as you approach the finish line is not a victory. As runners and running backs are advised, do not stop until you are well past the finish line or goal line. In matters of health, those lines lie at the end of a life. Keep those legs moving, and find joy in the racing itself. You cannot stop before that finish line if you want to achieve a victory.
The folly of premature celebration appears to be typical of our species. In our excitement to reach the finish line, we sometimes allow pride its negative victory. Trying to lose weight? Trying to kick an addiction? These are races against tough competitors that won’t give up. Being in the lead as you approach the finish line is not a victory. As runners and running backs are advised, do not stop until you are well past the finish line or goal line. In matters of health, those lines lie at the end of a life. Keep those legs moving, and find joy in the racing itself. You cannot stop before that finish line if you want to achieve a victory.
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