I walk fast, very very fast. Sometimes I literally end up dragging my friends along- and they always get furious albeit mildly.<\/p>\n
Random commuters I meet along the street have tried several times to out-walk me but they\u2019ve all failed and I\u2019ve always triumphed until this one morning- it taught me a lesson.<\/p>\n
That Monday morning, I moved out of the house very quickly. Realizing I was getting late for work, I had no choice than to activate my \u2018hover board\u2019 once again. In full gear I moved- surpassing all the other people I met on my way to the bus stop. I could hear little whispers- \u201cwhere\u2019s she hurrying to?\u201d<\/p>\n
Flashback few nights ago, one of my disappointed competitors yelled from behind me- \u201cmadam why, do you want to fly? I\u2019ve been trying to catch up with you but you keep doubling your steps. I just can\u2019t\u2026goodnight.\u201d That\u2019s the trick. I double my steps when I realize I\u2019m in competition- especially with strangers like him- it\u2019s mostly fun.<\/p>\n
But that Monday morning was like a fierce contest- a survival of the fast and determined.<\/p>\n
After skating my way past about 10 people, I came close to this man (30 or less). He carried on his shoulder some items concealed in a box. \u201cThis is going to be an easy one\u201d, I thought. \u201cWho\u2019d want to be in competition carrying load?\u201d So I bypassed him- about 150 meters to the main road, before the bus stop.<\/p>\n
Before settling in to boast of yet another victory, I saw him coming in full gear. When I turned around to see whose footsteps were growing louder behind me, there he was with a more determined look. I doubled my steps, he doubled too. I tripled, he did so. Then I understood. Let the games begin!<\/p>\n
When we got to the footpath, he bypassed me and took center stage of the path. It was an obvious ploy to tell me \u201cyou ain\u2019t seen nothing yet, young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n
The oncoming vehicles moved on the other side of the road and other commuters walked the opposite direction so I kept calm and trolled steadily behind him. Realizing he was getting cozy in his position, I decided to change my strategy. I was more determined to win so I veered off the footpath and got unto the road.<\/p>\n
I walked more swiftly than ever. Eventually I regained my first position and kept the pace- but it was tough. I could hear him coming- stronger and faster than before. My feet were calling out to me but I wouldn\u2019t give up. I was too close to winning and for that I needed to hold on- all the way to the main road.<\/p>\n
In a twinkle, he was standing right beside me \u2013 bracket!<\/p>\n
We both had to take a breather to make way for the oncoming vehicles so we could cross to the other side. It was my toughest competition yet and I was not going to record my first defeat- not on a Monday morning.<\/p>\n
A minute later, the road was clear. First step, second, third\u2026and then we both landed on the other pavement. It was getting tougher at this point. I thought of jogging but that would be foul so I decided to play fair. I waited anxiously to complete the last lap.<\/p>\n
One, two, three, four\u2026. and with all the powers vested in me by my guts, passion and determination to succeed, I crossed the main Awoshie-Pokuase road to victory. At last!<\/p>\n
My competitor missed narrowly by a couple of steps. Before I could pay attention to the yelling of the bus conductors, I turned to look at him from a distance away and whispered, \u201cthat was a tough battle and I\u2019m glad I fought well. Better luck next time buddy.\u201d Then I jumped into a Lapaz bound bus.<\/p>\n
For a moment, it never dawned on me that this could be a great life lesson until I started reflecting on the events in the trotro.<\/p>\n
How many of us still have our mats laid in our comfort zone? Do we even realize when there\u2019s the need to roll up and step up the game in the face of competition?<\/p>\n
Would you be willing to face the toughest tournament despite having all the rules against you and not wanting to let go of your title?<\/p>\n
There was no cash prize, no trophy and no applause. It was simply a funny mind game but somehow I realised I didn\u2019t want to lose that position- not even for an unprepared battle.<\/p>\n
I felt the numbness in my feet, the pace in my breath but I was still determined to win. Five times more than I have used the word determined in this post.<\/p>\n
Call it the rat race- a very close one indeed but if I ever hit the edit button up there, it will probably read \u201cmove from your comfort zone, you don\u2019t have to be a rat.\u201d<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
By: Farida Shaibu\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n
The writer is a Broadcast Journalist at Citi FM<\/p>\n
Blogs at thinkperple.wordpress.com\/Email: mzfady@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I walk fast, very very fast. Sometimes I literally end up dragging my friends along- and they always get furious albeit mildly. Random commuters I meet along the street have tried several times to out-walk me but they\u2019ve all failed and I\u2019ve always triumphed until this one morning- it taught me a lesson. That Monday […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":215359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[374],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n