Winning and Losing in a Blue Society

This was a disappointing week for some, with both JCHS and the Volunteers suffering loses. We would all like to say that it is not winning or losing that is important but, rather, how you play the game. And it is true that playing with integrity and spirit are important. But, let’s face it. Nobody likes to lose. Sure some do it more gracefully than others and that is great. We should all strive to be a good winner and a good loser. However, when it comes right down to it, winning always feels better than losing.

Sometimes I think that we have convinced ourselves that winning should not be celebrated and losing should not be mourned. For those that pour their heart and soul into competition, it is heartbreaking to lose and it is the pain of that heartbreak that spurs us to try harder, run faster, reach further to achieve our goals. Certainly, losing is a part of competition and sometimes, when you reach for the golden ring, you fall short. That doesn’t mean that you simply accept defeat and walk away. Where would our society be if those that jump hurdles, both literally and metaphorically, simply sat down after the first fall or the first time they tasted defeat?

The truth is that in order to rise, again, to the challenge and be better, stronger, smarter than before you must first own the defeat. Recognizing what bested you and working to tame the beast is so much more productive than simple accepting second best. We have become a blue ribbon society-that is, a society where everyone gets a blue ribbon. In a place where everyone is a winner, no one wins. And with no winner, no champion, who sets the bar for others? Who plants the flag at the top of the mountain?

So, we lost. Hey, it is a part of life and you can bet your bottom dollar that we will, one day, win and lose again. Be it football or physics, soccer or policy, those that fail and run away will not see victory another day. I am all good with an all good society. I am okay and you are okay. That doesn’t mean that we both win a blue ribbon. Excellence should be the goal, what we strive for in every avenue of life. And while it may hurt to lose, sometimes you don’t really know what you want until you want it so bad that it hurts. But it makes bringing home the blue that much more satisfying.