Pelleton

I was watching the Tour de France. It was the mountain stage, which I can imagine is the most challenging of the tour. At the time, there was a large group of riders (which i'm told is called the "Peleton") and another four riders (more spread out) about a minute in front of the large group.

As the race continued, one of the riders from the large group decided that time was running out and he should make a move. If he was going to win the stage, he could no longer be content to stick with the large group. He had to break away and pursue what he wanted - first place.

Of course, there are reasons why it's usually a good tactic to stick with the group. It's easier to ride in the 'slipstream' of other riders, and the presence of the other riders is helpful in 'pacing' one's own ride. Being in a group of riders can be a good thing.

But, as in life, there come times when we have to be different from the crowd to achieve some thing worthwhile. Sometimes what the crowd is doing is not the thing we want to be doing, could be doing, or should be doing. These are the times we have to have the courage to break free from that the group and be who we can be.