Jenny and Penny run their race

Dear Connection,

Jenny and Penny were sisters, identical even. They were so alike that their parents had trouble identifying them when they were babies. Jenny even gained weight as a result. Their mom would feed her more than Penny, lol. Fast forward, they are now in high school and remain exceptionally close.

They still dress alike on occasion, still able to finish each other’s sentences and know what each other is thinking and feeling; Jenny and Penny do everything together.?Their friends even gave them the moniker “wonder twins.”?Now that they are in high school, their parents encourage them to get involved in school activities. Following their father’s natural athletic ability, they signed up for track and field.?

The girls did well; they made the team and started training for their races.?Because they were so close, they decided that they would train together, work out together, and follow the same diet regime. Some family and friends thought this was odd but dismissed it because they understood they were just that close.?

Jenny and Penny trained hard; they were disciplined and focused. They were excited that they would be able to cheer each other from the side when each other was competing.?

The day of the race came. Jenny and Penny dressed alike, from how they styled their hair to the sneakers and socks they wore. The family was in the stands with banners and noisemakers ready to cheer their girls on. Everyone was super excited.?

Jenny and Penny registered and received their numbers and placement in the race. Jenny was going to race first. Penny hugged and wished her sister luck, they did their secret handshake, and Penny started walking toward the finish line, where she would be waiting to support her sister.?The racers began lining up at the starting block.?“Penny!”?“Penny!” Penny heard her name being called as she was walking away. She was confused because it wasn’t a familiar voice. She turned around and saw one of the race officials running up to her with a clipboard in hand.?The name tag on his shirt said Richard. Catching his breath, Richard told Penny she must hurry up and stretch because she was running this heat. Baffled, she asks, “this one? are you sure?” “My sister is running in this race; I’m scheduled to run in the fourth race,” she exclaimed.?“I know, I know, hurry, we got to get you to the line,” Richard stated. Walking back to the line,?Jenny’s parents, family, and friends have the same confused look on their faces as Jenny. Jenny’s and Penny’s mom can be seen mouthing, “what’s going on?” Seeing Penny walking towards the line, she yelps, “oh my goodness, they’re in the same race!”?Penny doing what she was told, gets on the line and starts warming up. She sets herself in the block. All are waiting to hear the gun.?

Pop! the gun goes off, and all the racers take off running. Jenny and Penny are running with all their might…?

They're nearing the finish line. It’s down to the wire.?

Who wins??

PLOT TWIST:

It’s whoever was supposed to win that day.?

Here’s the deal there are many of us on LinkedIn. Many of us are looking for our next opportunity. It’s natural at times to compare yourself to someone who may have the same or similar background, skill, education, and work experience as you. It may sting your ego as you see they got their?#yes?before you got yours. However, they got their?#yes?because it was their race to win. “What’s going to happen is going to happen when it is supposed to happen.”?We are all winners in our own right. Do what it is you need for you to get your “yes.” Do not compare your journey to someone else’s.?

Today is Jenny's turn to win; tomorrow may be Penny's.

Stay in your lane!