#NotesofCare

Running is the greatest metaphor for life; because you get out if it what you put into it - Oprah Winfrey

Yesterday, the whole city was awash with the energy and buzz of the Tata Mumbai Marathon. Whether you participated in the Full, Half Marathon or the 10K or the Dream Walk, or watched from the side-lines or through pictures on social media, there is no denying the exhilaration, joy and achievement from the run.

It makes one wonder, what makes people participate in these events.

Ramesh Sathe says, “Crossing that finish line makes me feel like a super hero. The sense of personal achievement is unparalleled”.

Tom Eller, a deaf born marathoner and a teacher to deaf and blind students says he runs marathons to show people that disabled people can achieve great things. “And for my deaf kids at school, I am a role model.”

Sameer and Suhasini run to raise funds and awareness for cancer, as they lost their 5 year old to the dreaded disease.

Sumit Anand said, “I have schizophrenia and running in the marathon makes me feel like I am one with other people, no different. Makes me feel like I belong.”

Sudarshan Tamang in the marathon yesterday said he was running to raise awareness for a 9 year old Sikkimese contestant of Sa-Re-Ga-Ma on tv to help her get more votes and win.

72 year old Suma Patil and her group of septuagenarians run for the togetherness and friendship.

R Laxmi runs for herself and also to support a friend who needs a pacer.

Almost everyone who participates, does it to find significance, to affirm something, to help and support someone else too, for a higher purpose.

Its not as if all these people don’t show all those qualities in their regular lives. But the event is the symbol, the validation of their hope, resilience, perseverance, of achievement. And, after the race is done, along with the feeling of pride and achievement which comes from within, the runners line up for that ribbon, medal, certificate. A recognition of their achievement.

As it is in the marathon, so it is often in life. We all need to validate who we are, have something to show for when we have done something. Along with the sense of personal achievement, that medal, that hurrah, that applause counts too. To challenge oneself, to surmount, to break our own boundaries and to have the world celebrate that with us. To also find joy in supporting someone else or have that support given to us.

Here’s to life (our biggest marathon). May we all run a good one, challenge our personal best at many turns and get to celebrate the wins and have someone be there to run silently with us when we need that pacer or run to bring us the votes that will help us win.?

After all, what we put into it is what we get out of it.

#NotesofCare #tcscares #dandelionstalk #tatamumbaimarathon #higherpurpose #support #achievement #exhilaration #wellbeing #tcs