Just last evening, I finished another great book, one that I received from my husband as a gift: The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. Author Wally Lamb describes the book as “a meditation on humility and hope in the face of despair.” I would agree.
Narrated by the dog, Enzo, the story follows a race car driver in Seattle who is looking for happiness and success and experiences some of those figurative boulders blocking his path. He is derailed by sadness and adversity, and he gets to such a low point that he intends to admit defeat. But he is inspired by Enzo to keep going.
He receives a job opportunity (which could have gone to numerous drivers but instead came specifically to him) by a man who admires him for the battle that he is fighting.
The driver asked “why does he care so much?”
The friend who presented the offer responded, “He wants to tell you that himself. All I can say is that he respects how you are fighting for the thing you value.”
“But what if I don’t win the fight?” the driver asked.
“There is no dishonor in losing the race,” his friend said. “There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.”
We all face things in our path that seem insurmountable – mountains of paperwork to get through, goals that seem elusive, schedules that allow seemingly no time for anything fun. Some of us face serious consequences: eviction, bad credit, financial loss, or loss of relationships.
Are we up for finding the opportunity and finding a solution? If so, we could win or lose. Or will we choose to not even try? If so, we will surely lose.
What is the race that you are struggling to win right now? Are you in that race?
Nicely written – great food for thought!