As the year comes to a close, there is a familiar inference that echoes in my mind. A lot of us know it already. Spoken or unspoken, most of us feel naturally inclined to make the last moments of the year count regardless of how it has been thus far. For some, it’s almost like a last shot at redemption after a year that was less than what was desired, and for others it’s the last leg of a great tournament that has been. For all, it’s an opportunity to finish strong.
The topic of finishing strong resonates with me for a number of reasons. Primarily, it’s due to the fact that in the past, I haven’t had the strongest of finishes (something that I have sought to resolve), despite having really good starts. Such is the case for many other people as well, so I’ve found. It’s for this main reason that I seek to explore this topic further.
You probably know the feeling quite well. Starting something always feels good. The excitement, the motivation, the adrenaline. Everything one needs just seems to be present at the beginning. So much so that the ending becomes visible. Almost visible enough for the benefits to appear tangible. What a great feeling. This goes on for a while, limited only by how long one is able to float in this frenzy.
The inevitable comes next. Reality resurfaces, weaknesses are exposed, strengths are tested. The undercurrent of life’s circumstances and events start to forge resistance. This demands that one cannot just float. Instead, he must swim, coordinate his limbs to actually start heading in the desired direction. Is it easy? Of course not. Anything but so. Here is where pressure exists, and progress is realised.
Then there’s the part that most of us look forward to from the very beginning. Often met with exhaustion, lessons and experience is the final stride. One last time, the opportunity to give oneself to the journey is presented. Evidence of where one has been remains tattooed upon his tough skin.
I feel like we all want to end all things on a good note. Most of us pursue what we choose to pursue with the view that it will turn out good in the end even when it hasn’t always been that way. That’s pretty much the normal way to approach our pursuits. I’m sure this is to the surprise of no one at all. A no brainer is what it is. Despite this however, it is still possible that a lot of us may question if it’s still worth it to maintain the same energy even at the end. Fewer may question if an increase in effort is necessary.
I’m greatly fascinated by the mentality of athletes. As far as endurance and determination are concerned, they seem to be the most obvious examples that one can learn from. Particularly, I seek key interest in those athletes that participate in marathons. It’s always an interesting watch when athletes run long distance, despite the fact that a huge percentage of the audiences’ attention is directed to the short distance sprint races. While I cannot deny the excitement that sprint races carry, I still find that there’s something that long distance races have that isn’t as prevalent in the former.
Few things illustrate our personal life journeys in the way that long distance marathons do. I mean think about it. Hopeful starts, shaky in betweens and decisive endings. Isn’t that basically the journey of life? At the very least, the resemblance is befitting. If you have watched a good number of marathons this might be familiar ground.
Usually in a marathon, all runners seem to start with the same energy and pace. As the race goes on, there’s usually one runner who takes the lead over others. At first the lead isn’t too much that it’s out of reach of the other runners, but as the competition progresses, the lead extends and the distance between the lead and the last man increases also. Sometimes we see one or two runners pulling out of the race in the middle of it but the majority keep going until they reach the finish line. It is not uncommon to see a runner that has maintained a consistent pace throughout the race suddenly picking up speed in the final stretch. From our vantage point, we see the passion and determination clothed in a blanket of adrenaline as he races towards the finish line, hoping to take the lead. Another thing that is common to see is the runners at the back of the line gathering up strength to finish the race as best as they can. There’s no telling how the race ends. Sometimes the runner who maintained a strong lead for the majority of the race maintains his momentum and wins or the one who suddenly sprung to life in the final stretch takes it home. Sometimes, even the runner at the back of the line finishes in a decent position. At the end of it all, every participant that endures finishes.
For me, marathon races come with many interesting outtakes that speak into more than just being an athlete. Particularly for the sake of the perspective I wish to share right now, I think there’s something in the final stretch of marathons that is very interesting. I can’t help but think about what must be going through the minds of those that engage in this sport when they are right at the end of a race. What does it even feel like to know that you’re almost there? To see the door to victory straight ahead of you. I’m sure no one in this position is willing to give up, especially not right at the end. It doesn’t make sense, right?
I have used a very competitive field to communicate the idea of finishing strong. A field in which the barriers to entry are extremely high. Yet our personal lives may not seem anything like this. Or maybe they can, with a few adjustments at least. As it relates to our personal lives, the race may not exactly resemble a marathon in the sense that the race in our case is individual. Furthermore, the competition isn’t with other people, but with anything that convinces us to be anything less than who we are destined to be.
Regardless of how the year has been, the opportunity to finish strong is yours. If it is the case that the year has been good, you get the opportunity to maintain your momentum. If not, you can make something meaningful of your final stride. If it has been a mixture of both, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to spring to life one last time. In each of our own respects, we’re all athletes running individual races, stretching out for the finish line. And for those who endure to the end, one outcome exists, finishing.
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