The Best in the World: Part 2

I left off my last entry wondering if it is  possible for everyone to have an equal shot at being best in the world, by successfully running his or her race in life.  If there are as many "events" in the great competition of life as there are people, it must be that everyone can be the best in the world.  In a track and field competition, can a hurdler say to a javelin thrower, "My gold medal is more prestigious than your gold medal and therefore I'm the best in the world."?   Of course not!  Extending the example, can anyone say to anyone else "I have a more successful life than you."?  Imagine the comparison that might follow:  One person has accrued a million dollars; the other has saved a person's life.  Is one better than the other?  Can the fastest ten runners in the world say to the ten top-giving philanthropists, "You are failures until you have achieved excellence in running."?

From these examples, and endless others, it appears that accolades, medals and monetary reward can occur as part of an individual's pursuit of his or her purpose or mission...but they aren't a given.   Bummer.  I keep hearing how wonderful it is to be a top earner in the company I represent:  the financial freedom, the trips, the car, the jewelry.  "Do what I do, and you can be like me."  The best in the world.  I should want that to be my race as well.  I should want all those things.  To not want them is to be not in the game, lack motivation, not be hungry to be the best.  Or so I hear.  But...if I subscribe to that line of thinking, what of my special purpose, my mission, my race?  What if I'm supposed to save a life, and make only ten-thousand dollars?  What if I'm supposed to spend most of my time raising a child whose own child will discover the cure for cancer?  What if my race is to make only five thousand dollars and sit by the bedside of a terminally ill relative, giving them comfort and hope?  Can I still be the best in the world?

I suppose this circles back to the idea of an athlete critiquing the performance of a musician, or of a religious leader critiquing titan of industry.  Exceptionalism has so many different faces and facets, but only a few of them come with a publicity agent or a compensation package.   Couldn't a person, at least in theory, be the best in the world in kindness, charity or inspiration?  Most people, if they thought about it long enough, could name the kindest person, the most charitable person or the most inspirational person they either know personally or know of from afar.  These qualities aren't as flashy as some, but they may have greater staying power.  

How can a person know if s/he is running his or her race in the correct lane?  I wonder about that myself.  I used to think that I would know when I was on the right track when everything opened up ahead of me, when the rough places were smoothed, the path straight, and I could see the finish line in the distance.  Now I know better.  I see the unexpected twists and turns, loose rocks and exposed roots, disappointment and setbacks, but the presence of these obstacles doesn't mean I'm on the wrong path or running someone else's race.  When I feel uncertain, instead of "getting busy" or engaging in more frantic activity, I stop.  I look around.  I get my bearings.  I wait for direction.  My race doesn't look like it's going to set any records, and I don't think there are going to be a podium, cameras or a medal at the finish line, but I know that when I get there, I will be...the best in the world.