Years ago I was a tall, skinny 8th grader, desperate to find something that I was good at. I had tried out for all the sports, hoping that my almost six foot frame would do me some favors. I was, unfortunately, not that skilled on the basketball or volleyball court. In 7th grade I found some belonging on the cross country and track teams, the beauty of which was that they were no-cut sports, and all were welcome to participate. At the beginning of 8th grade I tried the hurdles and for the first time there was some connection between me and a sport. My super long legs worked to my favor and I started to gain some confidence in the race.
I was thrilled to qualify for the district championships and found myself seeded in the fastest heat. The gun went off and we were out of our starting blocks and on our way down the track. After I had cleared four of the ten hurdles in front of me I could sense that I was out front, not being able to see anyone out of my peripheral vision on either side. I was quite surprised and looked to my left and then to my right, scanning for my competitors. When I looked back at my lane the next hurdle was right there. Unsurprisingly, my toe caught the hurdle and I went down in a terrific fall, taking all the skin off my right knee, the cinder from the track mixing with my blood in a gruesome scene. I got up and hobbled to the finish line, heartbroken and embarrassed.
It’s been 28 years since I stumbled over that hurdle and met the track in such dramatic fashion. I went on to have a successful high school track career, learned a lot more about hurdling, and broke my high school high hurdle record. I fell a few more times but learned to stay on my feet and I loved the sport.
There was a bigger, more important lesson, though: Keeping my eyes on my lane is what keeps me upright and moving forward. When I look around, when I spend too much time comparing myself to others is when I have my most terrific falls. When I stay focused on my own lane and the hurdles that I have to clear, I find much more success.
The world offers more opportunities than ever to compare yourself to others. We carry the world around in our pockets, with pictures of other people’s accomplishments, bodies, and beauty readily available for our consumption. Our brains are receiving constant input about how we should spend our time and money, what we should wear, and what we should look like.
When I am weighed down and overwhelmed, I have to remember that cinder track and the lessons I learned all those years ago. I can participate in others’ lives, helping and supporting where I can. However, my hurdles are my own. Success, progress, and happiness are found when I keep my eyes on my lane.