The Runner’s Second Lap

Yesterday while speaking to mom she asked me "what did you say to my school friend when u met her? She is a changed woman today? I smiled &...In a bustling city lived Maya, a 40-year-old woman who worked as a manager in a office. Life had been a series of routines, work, family & loads of responsibilities. Maya had once been a promising athlete in her teenage years, a sprinter with dreams of competing at the national level. But after an injury sidelined her career, she let her dream fade, telling herself it was too late to ever compete again. One evening, as she walked through the park, she noticed a group of people gathered near a running track. Among them was Arjun, a 65-year-old man, tying his running shoes. Curious, Maya stopped to watch. Arjun started jogging, his pace steady but unremarkable. Yet, something about his determination captivated her. When he finished his run, the group cheered for him.Maya approached him & asked, "Are you training for something?" He smiled & said, "Yes, I’m preparing for my first marathon." Maya was astonished. "At your age? Why now?" Arjun chuckled. "Because I realized the finish line doesn’t care how old you are. I spent decades thinking I wasn’t ‘ready’ or ‘fit enough.’ Then one day, I decided to stop making excuses & just start. Now, here I am."His words struck a chord with Maya. She walked away, thinking about her younger self the girl who loved to run and dreamed of crossing finish lines. The next day, she found her old running shoes buried in a closet. They were worn but usable, much like the dream she’d once had. Maya started small, jogging around the block, her breath labored and her muscles stiff. The first week was tough, but she persisted. Slowly, her body adjusted, and her confidence grew. Months later, she joined Arjun’s group, where she discovered people from all walks of life students, retirees, busy professionals all training together. Their stories of perseverance inspired her, & soon, she signed up for her first 5K race. When race day arrived, Maya stood at the starting line, her heart pounding. As the whistle blew, she ran, not to win but to prove to herself that it wasn’t too late. She crossed the finish line with tears in her eyes and a new belief in her heart. Encouraged by her success, Maya continued training, and over time, she began competing in longer races. Running became more than a physical activity it was her way of reclaiming a dream she thought she’d lost. Years later, as Maya crossed the finish line of her first marathon, she saw Arjun waiting for her with a big smile. "I told you it’s never too late," he said. She grinned & replied, "And you were right. The starting line is always waiting & it’s up to us to step forward."

Reflection by Dr Anjana? https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/anjanavinod

*Reflect* in life to ask yourself what's that one thing u always wanted to do & you keep giving excuses not to do? Remember dreams don’t come with an expiration date. It’s never too late to begin again & pursue what sets our heart on fire. Every step forward is a step closer to rediscovering the new version of ourselves. The Irony of life is we forget that we are as young as our faith, as old as our doubt, as young as our self-confidence & as old as your fear. Let's go ahead in life & even if one can't? go back & make a brand new start, anyone can start from now & make a brand new ending. How do you read this story1. What does this story open up for you?2. Do you have a dream that you want to start today,??