A Journey to the Finish Line

There are 2 types of people in this world: one who sees their life as a set of stages, for which there is a finish line towards which you work. Once you complete one, you move on to the next. The second type is one who goes through life and treats it as a journey; one who enjoys and lives the moment, instead of looking for the "what's next".

It is difficult, especially as a young woman, to not be swayed by society norms to do what is expected of you, or rather, what is considered "normal". You get educated, meet someone who fulfills your long list of criteria that would make the perfect husband, in between, during, or before which time you may do some travelling, get married, have children, and so forth. Each stage is clearly marked - some given an expiry date; each stage, when completed, receives a check mark on the list. The big question is, are those things really what we all want, or are they all things that our parents, friends, or culture surround our lives with, so that we really do believe those are the things that we truly want for ourselves. For some, they really are.

What if there is no finish line?

What if you live your life as it goes, and perhaps those different stages are the same, though possibly out of order, however, there is no shelf life to each stage; no deadline, no clock ticking, no expectation? Does that make your life unfulfilled? Are you then not doing the right thing? Have you chosen a lifestyle that is not easily-approved?

A friend advised me once that I simply cannot continue working long hours, because that lessened the amount of time I would have otherwise in meeting someone. Lonely as I do feel at times I need someone, I would never make that an objective of my current "stage". The utmost importance to this life is creating and achieving balance, and that said loneliness is simply part of a journey for which I need to make room and from which I must learn. That journey itself, to me, is the finish line.

I only need to remind myself that this does not make one a failure. Believe in what you think is important, and intrinsic success and happiness will come. It is more important than what others may consider is the definition of being successful at life. Remember that one's finish line is not necessarily another's, and even if so, definitely never at the exact same time.