Recently, I had a conversation with my father regarding this very topic: Is life really a race? My father said that, even though books and movies claim that life is way more than just a race, in reality it is. You present yourself in front of society as a product and the best product wins. So I asked myself: Am I really a product competing with others?
People might tell you that competition is actually healthy and convince you that the race will get you where you want. That lagging behind isn’t an option. On the other hand, some claim that life isn’t a race, it is a journey. A journey which should be enjoyed and completed at your own pace. The latter concept sounds more comforting and motivating. Sure, but is it true?
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In terms of employment, companies look for the best candidate set out for the job or position. They sort out the applicants who have the skill sets required for that particular job and if you’re not good enough, then well, the job isn’t yours. They hunt for a person with the skills, qualities and degrees apt for that job. When you look at it, it’s almost like they’re shopping for an employee!
And even after you get that job, there is always the ambition that pushes you to acquire a higher position. You compete, you conquer.
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Say, you were the employer and not the employee. What’s different then? Well, you’re still competing with other companies, making your products better than theirs so that when people have to choose, they choose your company.
What if you were self-employed? There is no competition then, right? Say you were the owner of a start-up or any business then you, obviously, need to compete with other emerging businesses of your type. What if you’re an artist or a freelancer? Then there are considerably less chances but maybe, you’re hyper-competitive and want your painting, writing, music or any performance to be better than others.
And being a freelancer, you need to deal with clients. Clients who choose the best there is to complete the task. Again, competition. Competition which you just can’t escape.
But there are also many chances that you’re a person who tries to improve when he or she meets someone better in a skill than him or her and gets motivated by them instead of trying to compete them. You, too, are a part of the race of life. How? Read more to find out.
Life is a journey. And a race.
I think life is a journey. A journey which is also the race. Yes, the finishing point or the destination doesn’t matter as much as the journey or the race itself but it pushes you to complete the journey or race.
Life as a journey encourages me.

- To reflect on my thoughts
Learn lessons and utilize them in future dilemmas and situations, thus helping me grow as a person.
- Enjoy the moments that make the journey
Meet people, make friends and form memories. Even in loneliness, enjoy the peace within.
- Have goals
Make end goals and small goals that support the end goal. There may be several end goals and well, your end goals might even change but they will always keep you and your plans organized.
Life as a race pushes me.
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It might not be a race against others. Life might just be a race with myself. A competition between the past and present versions of myself, making me want to be a better version of myself every day. Or it might be a race against others. A race to prove myself capable. If being better than others gives me the confidence needed to help me grow then be it.
There is no right or wrong way to look at it. As long as you get the thrust you need to improve and to set your goals in motion then it doesn’t matter who the participants are in the race. Who I’m competing against doesn’t matter as long as it gets me to perform my best.
Companies and clients look for the best candidate. Like shopping for the best product. And in the process of becoming that product, you go through various processes. What do you do on the way? You take form. You’re made from scratch, chiseled ’til you have the shape, polished ’til you have the demeanor and presented to be the best.
So yeah, you are a product.
A product shaped by circumstances and made by decisions.
The race is your journey to self-improvement and self-satisfaction and that race is what I’d like to call life.
You know every time I read your blog I only get 2 things – surprise and super enjoyment great work rashi great work
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Thank you so much. This brought a huge smile on my face. I’m glad you enjoy my work so much.
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Nice thoughts Rashi..
Even though in this journey comprising of tough race for set destination, i always get time read your blogs & relax / think for a moment then move ahead.
Best wishes.!
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Thank you.
That makes me very happy! I’m glad my blogs help you to relax and reflect. Thanks again.
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Great one Rashi… loved how you put it all together π€π
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Thank you, Shivangi! For reading and commenting. And also, welcome to Fictive Finesse!
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Fictive Finesse… love the title… do explain the conceptππ
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Thanks! I’d love to explain it. See, Fictive means relating to fiction and Finesse is skill. Although, when I started this blog, a year back, I was neither very imaginative nor skilful.π I don’t think I am “skilful” now but then everyone has a lot to learn…The name sounded good enough so I had named it Fictive Finesse.
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You write from heart… that is all the skill you need. BTW lovely nameππ
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Thank you so much, Shivangi! That means a lot to me.π
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Well said! I really enjoy your philosophical blogs, they really look for the deeper meaning
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Thank you, Ashley! I’m so pleased you find them philosophical and deep!
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Obviously it is a competition…Survival of the fittest… But accepting defeat is one thing which all don’t do great…
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Totally agree with you. Survival of the fittest, it is. Thank you for passing by!
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Pleasure Rashi πππ·π·
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One question, though. What should I call you?π
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Ushnish, nickname is Pantho…Which ever you want ππ
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Okay, Ushnish! Well, Pantho sounds good, too. Ok, Pantho!π
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πππ complicated names are they?
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Pantho is not.π What does it mean?
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A passerby…
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Oh! That is a very interesting meaning! Like a wanderer?
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Almost…Well someone who passes by on the road would be better
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Wanderer seems better though! I’d written a poem named Wanderer or Wayfarer, I don’t remember. What does Ushnish mean?
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Ushnish means Crown or Turban π
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Oh! That is great. That’s the reason behind your username…So cool.
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Hehe yeah credit to my Dad for such a name…
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Thought-provoking. I would never put race and journey in the same category. You are not racing to the finish line (death). However, the big race is also composed of small races just like you mentioned. I dislike thinking of myself as a product (even though I know I am), but I like competing. Enjoying life is important. Do both.
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True, you’re not racing to death but to survive, you need to compete…Whether we like it or not. Well, I hate the idea of being a product, too. Yeah, even I like competing. But that’s in school. π
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, Goldie! It’s always a pleasure to hear them (or read them).
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Stay golden!
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You too, Goldie!
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Nice! Although I do disagree with some of your aspects… It seemed a little too strongly worded for me! π
All in all though I can see why you mailed me about your career. You are pretty damn serious about life after all. And at your age! I guess you’ll make one strong willed woman!
Best of luck! βοΈ
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Thanks! Well, do share your views about the aspects you disagree with. I’d love to hear them.
Yes, I am “pretty damn serious” about lifeπ…Thank you sooooo much, bhaiya!
Hope you have a great weekend.
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Errmmm… I think it’s a little too degrading to call ourselves a ‘product’ π I mean, we are living creatures with emotions and all! And I personally think that life is a journey. One really shouldn’t make it a race. Because then you will surely miss out on a lot of it. It’s not about going from Point A to Point B. But it’s about GOING from Point A to Point B. Get it? π
Anyways… You are welcome as always!
And have a great weekend too sis! πβοΈ
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Well, we’re not products. But more like a figurative version of products. Like a product of our choices and decisions.
That’s a great way to look at it. When you look at it as a journey, you don’t miss out on a lot of things unlike the case when you look at it as a race.
Yeah, I get it!π
Thanks for sharing your views!
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Product of our choices and decisions… Huh. That’s a perfect description! I like it! π
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Glad you like it!π
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Or maybe life is just life. π Spontaneous yet structured. Chronological yet fiercely independent. Something with a unique personality of its own. π
Loved your post, by the way. β€ You write very beautifully, and your choice of topics are fun, too.
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That is such a beautiful way to describe life. “Spontaneous yet structured” Thank you for sharing your insights! Loved reading them.
And thanks a lot for your kind words. I’m glad you find my posts fun!
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In fact we are our own competition, first of all we have to start to understand ourselves – we are still a mystery in many ways. so we have to dive deeply in ourselves to know our real aims, our purpose of life – then the competition with others fade slowly away.
Thank you, dear friend π
Didi
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That’s truly insightful, Didi! I can’t help but agree with you. We need to compete with ourselves to become better versions of ourselves.
Thank you for sharing your views with me!
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Welcome, dear Rashi π
All the best, my friend π
Didi
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It depends on individual’s perspective… Yes, the world might see us as a product (which I detest personally) but we know who we are and what we work for…
It’s only our opinion about ourselves which matters at the end. π
By the way… Are you in school Rashi?
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Yes, that’s true…The world does see us as a product but we know who we are. Or rather we should realise who we truly are.
Yes, I am in school. Is it that obvious?π
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No no… I read it in one of your comments something about school…
Initially I’d thought you’re around 25, a professional…π
I’m also in school in xii standard.
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Ohhh! I’m still in secondary.
Gee! Thanks!
12 std? Well, you must be under a lot of pressure, huh?π
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Indeed! But I try my best to become incompressible!π
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That’s great! All the best for the future.π
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Same to you dear! ππ
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Thanks, Bhavya!
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