Always Remember the Finish Line.
A very important and vital ingredient for a successful and
fulfilling life is the need to always remember the finish line, remember why
you started in the first instance, this will make you chase after something in
life, you know you have a target you are out to achieve, and you have something
you are gunning for, It puts you on your toes and you know you must not give up;
you must not give in until you achieve your goal of crossing that Finish Line.
A remarkable event happened in the 1968 Olympic Games which
took place in Mexico City. It is a story I draw so much strength and
inspiration from whenever I think about determination to reach the finish line,
it’s about staying in the game no matter what; to stick to your goal, to
complete a project, to never stop running towards your dreams, or simply put;
to not give up. It’s the inspirational story of a Tanzanian Olympic hero, John
Stephen Akhwari, he did not win any medal, matter of fact he finished last but
he competed with pride and courage, against all odds, he reached the finish
line.
It was in a very hot Sunday afternoon of Mexico, men’s
marathon began at 3:00pm local time, out of 74 participants, 17 could not
finish the race. Earlier in the game, John Stephen Akhwari cramped up due to
the high altitude of Mexico City. Around the 12 mile mark, he was jostling for
position between some runners, with a throbbing head and cramping muscles, he
collapsed to the ground, he had a terrible fall earlier where he hit his head,
damaged his knee and was trampled upon before he could get up on his feet.
Despite the injuries all over him, and the pressures and pleas by the medical
staff for him to quit and abandon the race, John Stephen Akhwari pressed on.
Fast forward to the end, the closing ceremonies had just
been completed; many of the spectators, fans, and athletes had left, some still
remained, “sipping” the last drops of the celebrations, and gathering their belongings to leave the
stadium, Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia who won had finished the race an hour earlier.
All of a sudden from nowhere came the sound of police sirens, people stretched
their necks, they saw motorcycles flashing their lights encircling someone who
made his way towards the stadium, one man, tired, weary, worn out, with legs
bandaged, he kept dragging himself forward through the gates of the stadium, he
was in obvious pain (at times he ran, at times he walked), finally he got onto
the tracks of the main bowl, all the attention was on him, all cameras focused
on him, everybody stood up and were clapping for him, but he kept on running,
he hobbled towards the finish line, and after crossing it, he collapsed.
Journalists asked him if he was not embarrassed and why he did not give up and
quit since he was weak, weary, and worn out? Gasping for breath he replied, my
country did not send me all these miles from Tanzania to start a race; they
sent me to finish the race.
To me, he is a great example of the never-give-up,
never-say-die spirit and attitude. He taught that we should always remember
where the finish line is and even if we stumble and fall, we should pick
ourselves up again, push through the pain, and keep going towards our dream
So dear friend, whatever your dream is, whatever your goal
is, don’t stop moving towards it, always remember the finish line because that
is the reason why you began in the first instance. If you can make it through
the night there is a brighter day, let the fulfillment of reaching the end of
it motivate you to keep going. You may be facing some struggles in your
business, your academics, your career, your marital or relationship life, but
think of the sweetness and the joy you will experience at the end of it all if
you don’t give up. I shared the story of the man from Tanzania, John Stephen
Akhwari because HE REPRESENTS ALL THAT IS RIGHT IN THE HUMAN SPIRIT.
Don’t give up on yourself, don’t stop running towards your
dreams. You will get to the Finish line.
Olamide
Adenuga is a Nigerian who believes that
the right mentality can power anyone to success; an ideas man who is out to
transform people and places he comes in contact with.
He is a Speaker, a Writer, a Brand Specialist,
a T.V Host, an O.A.P, a Public Relations Consultant, a Blogger, and blessed
with the ability to EFFECTIVELY
MULTITASK. Lamide has featured
on Radio and Television shows severally. He is a Seasoned Trainer, Conference Speaker and a Public Relations Specialist who has
written articles in various newspapers, journals and magazines. A Personal Effectiveness columnist in OVATION International Magazine, and
the Publisher of PLUSH Magazine.
He
is also a Television host with his Motivational telecast, “MAKING THINGS HAPPEN” on WAP
TV, DSTV Channel 262. GO TV Channel
102. Startimes Channel 116 on Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays. 8.25am. Some of my short motivational videos (4-5 minutes) are available on youtube
at… www.youtube/olamide adenuga.
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page
– Lamide Adenuga Speaks. Twitter – LammyMotivates
Youtube/olamide
adenuga
thank you sir
ReplyDeletethis is inspiring
ReplyDeleteI once heard the story of the athlete, but your article brings it more to life.
ReplyDeleteBaba, u too much
ReplyDeleteGod bless you so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you sir. This tells me to hold on to the end.
ReplyDelete