This post The Struggle to take part has moved to journojohnson.com
What a weekend this Easter time! Down to Putney to share the
boat race with all my many New Zealand relatives and cheer on the only Kiwi in
the race.
The Friday night (Good Friday) saw us out for a meal with
all the supporters. After the meal a young man and former rower spoke of the
point of the race being the struggle to take part – gruelling months and years
of early rising and relentless toil -and not the win as often portrayed by the
media. But what a struggle even the win was, from the protest swimmer in the
water which stopped the race to the broken Oxford oar and the Oxford bowman
struggling to breathe and needing hospitalisation. Yet in spite of all these
difficulties the Cambridge team prevailed and saw it through to victory even
though there was no presentation either or sense of triumph. There must be a
lesson here.
Often as writers we struggle to believe in ourselves and
struggle to see the win at the end of the tunnel or water (all 7km of it). But
if we battle on with obstacles, unpopularity and flying in the face of public
opinion, maybe our win will come. It may even mean no accolade or obvious
triumph at the end of the battle. But, in the words of the speaker ‘it is the
struggle to take part’ that’s important and not ultimately the win. Sobering
words but true words nevertheless. My cousin has given me the courage to keep
going. Thanks Alex, may your moment of glory be sweet for you.
Labels: Boat Race, Challenge, New Zealand, Struggle