While surfing in the shallow waters of the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, I was vis-a’-vis billions of fish, strolling through the vast crevices and magical moulds of the multicoloured Corals. I wondered about the existence of each of them. They are born every day and die at the mercy of another chain of predators. There is an ongoing Competition for every morsel of flesh.
What am I? A mere speck in the vast expanse of the billions and billions of stars in a crazy Universe. What keeps me going?
The day I first cried, I was thrown into the cradle of COMPETITION.
Someone said, “A flower does not compete with the flower next to it; it just blooms.”
These words seem more poetic and philosophical than the facts. I have seen flowers and twigs rubbernecking around to get a speck of sunshine. Imagine the enormity of the Giant Sequoia trees in the Redwood forests of California. In a competition to get the sunlight, they outgrow each other to gigantic heights and proportions.
While schooling; I clearly understood, “Be on the Top so that there is no one to compete with”, but, “Becoming number one is easier than remaining number one.”
OR, be mediocre and enjoy the journey of mediocrity without the burden of failing or toiling day and night to reach the Top.
I don’t mean that one should not struggle to reach the Top, but it comes at the cost of constant stress and scuffles.
“Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our best. A monopoly renders people complacent and satisfied with mediocrity.”
The ultimate victory in the competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best. The pleasure you get out of what you have to give yourself.
“A horse never runs so fast as when he has other horses to catch up and outpace.” OVID
From my childhood through adolescence and adulthood, and now as an accomplished professional, I have developed the humility to feel that I am not better than anyone. Still, I am wise enough to understand that I am different from the rest.
Life, however, had a diverse narrative to tell. I had to compete with fellow Doctors when I started Medical Practice. In due course, I followed my passions of Music, Gardening, Writing, Blogging, and Telling Stories.
I have realised that with every passion, I am mounting a new cluster of people with whom I have to contest. I started to count ‘LIKES’ on social media platforms, again comparing myself to other people.
My mother said, “Bitterness comes when you continuously compete with others, but you will become better if you compete with yourself.”
Negative thoughts don’t create Positive results. Moreover, the biggest things are always the easiest to do because there is no Competition.
I created my own lane. A lane in which I had to travel in peace–a street with no traffic, just my stallion of creativity and imagination.
I’m competing against myself right now.
There is a competition between my heart and mind, my intellect and my sensitivity.
There is no scope for trespassing. I won’t allow any outside force to disturb my internal harmony. You may call me arrogant and conceited. But I am in the process of nurturing myself with the notion that no one can give me Competition. I am not saying that I am Mr Perfect. I am trying to improve with each passing day.
A friend asked me to give my Garden for the Annual Horticulture Competition in the city. I refused.
My Garden is my space and my creativity. I love the dry leaves, dead twigs and weedy grass that grows on the ground. Entering a competitive spree means that I will be cleaning every bit of the corner and planting things that will interest the adjudicator, not myself. I will compliment myself with every bloom and fall.
NO COMPETITION.
