We've all heard that quote: "People are too busy with their own lives to care about you." But that can feel dismissive, invalidating your feelings. This is a quote that perpetuates some type of paranoia, like how you feel is not valid. The truth is if you've built an audience…scratch that… if you are simply alive, people are watching. Maybe not with laser focus or to a great degree, but they're aware. They are watching you.
Life is not a race, it is a marathon. Everyone is on it.
The race starts…bam!!! 🔫
Some people immediately sprint ahead, disappearing from your sight. They left you at the beginning. You can’t even see them in your view anymore, they’re too far gone.
But keep going…
Others are just ahead of you, but you can still see them on the horizon.
You keep going…
You’re even ahead of some yourself! Those behind are also watching you, while you watch others ahead as well.
Sometimes you even look back to see who’s behind you. Sometimes, you can’t even be bothered, because there’s a marathon to win. You want to catch up with the people ahead…right?
Life is funny. The people watching you are also being watched, they too are ahead of others. Everyone looking to catch up and “win” this marathon.
And so it goes on and on and on and on and on
So yes, it seems we are all in this marathon, and people may not be so overly focused on you, but they are still watching you.
As long as you are alive, you have an audience.
Some people are hoping you trip. Some people might actually be sabotaging your journey. Some people are hoping to catch up to you. Some people are looking to collaborate with you. Some people are hoping you give up altogether. Some people want you to fall behind them in the race. Few, want you to win a race they are also on.
It is hard to admit to yourself that some people do not wish you well, but when you understand that we are all in a marathon it seems, in a sense, plausible…hmm…
It is also okay, for you to feel a certain way seeing someone on the horizon ahead of you in the marathon of life.
And it is okay, to cheer on those ahead, those behind and even those on the same lane as you.
Though the intentions and the feelings of the heart may be different, we are all watching each other. Whether we admit it or not.
All I am saying is that at every point in people’s lives, they are living completely different moments. You cannot expect too much from anyone, they have a world of their own and if you focus on that, you lose sight of your own marathon.
As long as you truly choose to live a life built and designed by you, for you, in any way you want, wish, or desire, you will have zero time to focus on what’s ahead of you, next to you, or what’s behind you. Nothing should be your priority other than choosing to stay in your lane, to enjoy it and to keep on going.
As long as you keep going, that is all that matters. Think what you want to think, but keep on going.
If you understand that there is no end to the marathon of life will that make you feel better? If no one wins, if the race never ends, will that make you breathe a sigh of relief if there is no expectation to win anything? Doesn’t that mean that all you have to do is keep going on the marathon?
Because this is what the truth is: There are no winners. There is no marathon. There is no race, it is not even a sprint. It’s just a wide open space…a journey, you can choose to run, walk, jump, or skip, but at the end of the day, the finish line is death. When you stop, pause, look around you, acknowledge those ahead, behind, or next to you and no longer feel the need to prove something or impress others, now, the journey becomes much easier and fun.
When you no longer feel the need to rush towards goals, to compare, to envy, to chase, the process becomes much more enjoyable and peaceful. This is when you become self-aware.
If you ask me what self-awareness is this is what I will tell you:
Self-awareness is realizing that there is no opponent. You’re fighting against yourself. That the rat race doesn’t exist, because there is no finish line. It’s realising that the journey of life has no destination, you’re just meant to enjoy it. That you are here for a reason and you either figured it out and lived a glorious life or wasted time on some other shit. That the secret to having it all is knowing that you already do. Self-awareness is supposed to allow you to leave the world empty. No regrets and a whole lot of acceptance.
You are here to accomplish the special thing that only you can do. And that thing will change the world, but it is made up of qualities that only you have. You were not brought to this world to conform. Your very essence is enough to open doors. It’s not complicated unless you try to include all other humans on the planet and convince them of the same thing. If you focus on your focus, do the work that you’re supposed to do, and stay in your lane and at your own pace, you can accomplish anything. But you’re concerned about how others will view you as you go on this journey.
Yes, people are always watching you, whether you like it or not. But that is not your problem.
Accept that there is nothing, other than your own journey, and keep going
… Do you know who the real winners are? The ones that don’t even join the race or the marathon. They just walk, enjoying the view because they know that in the end, we all end up where we’re supposed to end up.
I hope this resonates, and I am forever cheering you on! 🧡🫶🏽