The Cape Argus Pick and Pay Cycle Tour is a gruelling 109 kilometers of scenic road running adjacent to the sea. With some steep climbs, it is not an easy cycling tour at all.
During the recent tour that took place last Sunday, several people had to stop at the side of the road due to muscle cramps. Many could not finish due to heat exhaustion. Accidents were common and when one person fell, a huge number of cyclists bumped into the unfortunate cyclist from behind, sending all of them down onto the hot tarmac.
Philip took part in this event. He was not involved in any accident but he passed several cyclists who were. He dreamed about winning but the mere fact that he reached the finishing line is winning enough in his book. When 35,000 cyclists compete, the place they finish in the race becomes irrelevant for most of them.
He got off his bike just after he crossed the finishing line. As he sat down at the side of the road, he said, “I don’t care how many people have reached this line before me, I have finished the race and therefore I know I have won!”
“No, you did not.”
“Excuse me, Lord, why do you say that I did not win?”
“What was your goal, Philip, to come first or fifteen thousandth or just to complete the course regardless of what? In that case I would agree, you have won.”
“Look at the lady who has just crossed the line. She stopped seven times along the road to assist other people. See that man approaching the finishing line right now. He was way up in front among the first 40 cyclists when he noticed a group that fell. He stopped, turned around and assisted them. He did not carry on until he was sure everyone was fine. They are winners!”
“Everyday life is very similar, Philip. There are so many people needing something, whether it is kindness, comfort, assurance, support and most of all only a little love and attention. So many people run their race in life with their eyes fixed on their personal goals so intently that they pass thousands of people with equally important goals, without noticing one of them.”
“On their journey through life, so many have passed their parents…. their husbands…. wives…. children….. friends or unknown people in need, without noticing them at all. They did not even bother to find out how they were. They will all reach the end of the line but winning, I’m afraid will not be accredited to them.”
“However, I still love all of them. But please, take care how you take part and remember life is not a race but a journey through a scenic garden route of souls.”