|
Regional - There are always winners
Commentary by Chris Clegg
for Smoky River Express
Linus comes from the house full of excitement to tell Charlie Brown what he just watched on TV. I am paraphrasing what Linus says.
“I just saw the most exciting game,” he says.
It went something like this. It was the last play of a football game. The quarterback dropped back to pass, then threw a long pass that was caught by the receiver. He pulled away from the defenders to score a touchdown.
“And when the extra point was kicked all the fans went onto the field and the players were dancing and hugging and everything,” Linus says. “It was the most fantastic thing I ever saw.”
And typical of Charlie brown, he asks the following:
“How did the other team feel?”
While we find Charlie Brown’s question amusing – it’s pretty obvious how the other team was crushed – he fails to realize even in losing such a terrific game both teams won.
Let me explain.
There is certainly less joy in losing than winning. The old saying, “I’m a good loser – but a better winner!” probably applies to most of us because most of us hate to lose.
The problem is, society places so much emphasis on winning the value of losing is overshadowed. As difficult as it seems at the moment a person loses, years later most can reflect upon that moment and the events leading up to it and realize it was a life-learning experience which made them a better person.
I once played on a minor ball team which never won a game all season. We tied one but never tasted the thrill of victory. Years later, I had the good fortune of playing on teams which won championships. Isn’t it odd I remember both seasons? Do you wonder why!
Even professional athletes will tell you winning is sweeter after experiencing failure. I can relate to that.
However, if losing builds character, the loser may be the bigger winner in the long run.
If losing means you learned a valuable lesson to not make the same mistake again, in fact you are the winner.
Media, especially, places far too much emphasis on winning than losing. People generally like to hear about the winners and success stories, unlike Charlie Brown, who was only concerned about how the losers felt.
In today’s world, we all strive to be winners. We enter contests, pageants and competitions in an effort to win and be recognized for a job well done. As they should be, the winners are celebrated. Achievements of a job well done should be applauded.
Let us not forget those who lose. Many who taste the bitterness of defeat pick themselves off the ground, dust themselves off and succeed later.
At first you don’t succeed try, try again! How often have you heard that old adage?
Yes, it hurts to fail. Yes, it hurts to lose.
But remember this. At some point, each one of us loses and each one of us wins. The ones who deal with adversity best and who learn from their losses are the ones who win in the long run.
Besides, those who do not strive to do better are doomed because they never will succeed. No matter how rotten losing is, remember it is better to lose than to not ever be part of the game.
Home
Next >
|
