Finish the Race

"Finish the race."

I've heard this phrase from a variety of places.  What does it mean?  After completing a long, difficult 3 year journey, I think I can answer that question.

Today I am finishing, what some might call, the race.  However, I think there is a problem with the use of the word, race.  It implies rushing or moving quickly and it implies that there is some form of competition.  There were neither of those things in this journey I just completed.

I took one step at a time rather than trying to race ahead.  I watched where I was going carefully rather than trying to hurry to the end.  I even took in the view.  I didn't compare my journey to others, I focused only on my own steps and my own path.  I strode across the finish line with confidence and peace not with my head held down in exhaustion.

I began working on my master's degree in September 2014.  I was ready.  I was excited.  The first class I took was amazing.  I loved learning about new science standards and new ways of teaching.  I told everyone how amazing this program was and I was going to do great.

In January 2015, I lost the use of my left arm for about a month because I had my first MS episode.  I had a difficult time typing papers for my class.  Teaching became a bit of a challenge, but I kept moving.  I kept taking steps down my path.  That summer, I took another class, but I didn't take too many.  I still didn't know what the MS might do to me.  I changed jobs the following September.  That meant that I would be continuing taking classes, working in a new school and teaching a new grade.  It was a lot, but I kept moving.  I kept the next summer easy again.

In the fall of 2016, I was entering my final year of working on my master's degree.  I was entering my second year at this new school and in this new grade; however, my teaching partner had left and I was going to be mentoring the next 6th grade teacher.  Because I kept my first two summers light, I was going to have to take a lot more classes while still teaching.  In 6 months time, from the end of January to the beginning of July, I took 15 credits.  In the previous 2 years, I took a maximum of 6 credits in that same amount of time.  Because of the earlier difficulties and my slow summers, I had to take on a large chunk if I wanted to finish when I had originally planned.

I took one step at a time.  Sometimes, I did one class at a time.  I slept when I was tired.  I ate when I was hungry.  I rested my brain when I had a moment and I kept moving.  Each day I got closer to the finish line.  Each day that I wanted to quit, I reminded myself how far I had come and I simply kept moving.  There was no way that I was going to give up my progress by quitting or letting up at the end.

Finish the race.  Keep moving.  Look at what you have already accomplished and know that you can walk across the finish line with your head held high.  Everyone will cheer you on and celebrate your completion.  It doesn't matter what everyone else does.  It doesn't matter how fast you finish, just keep moving and finish.