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it’s time to put the competition discussion back in the locker room. we’ll probably break it back out when the cowboys get back in the deathstar this fall.
until then, here’s some closing thoughts…
tonight, i went to a fourth-round 3A high school baseball playoff game. the parents were embarrassing. just…embarrassing. their kids deserved better. their kids need better. enough with that.
i really appreciate the depth of discussion we’ve had on the topic of competition. it’s needed. really needed.
some would say that competition builds character.
others would say that competition reveals character…one way or the other.
i lean more to the side of revealing character. merely competing does nothing. essentially, competition is neutral. winning is nothing without definition. what are you winning? a trophy? they break and lose their lustre. notoriety? better enjoy your fifteen minutes…
are you winning satisfaction? superiority? memories? whatever you are winning pales in comparison to the greater things in life.
what about losing? (or struggle or failure or judgment or injustice or unfairness or mistakes or loss of confidence?) does it really build character on it’s own? i think not. the only way character is built in times of difficulty is with guidance and wisdom. otherwise, losing brings death (mostly metaphorically…)
no…i think competition reveals what you already are. people don’t act out of character when they are competing. competition magnifies the best…and worst…of who we are.
“that guy is such a fierce competitor…” yeah, and he’s a butt-head, too.
“that girl is focused and determined…” really? so that’s what self-centered arrogance looks like?
“dude is winner. plain and simple.” so why can’t he be nice to people?
“he has no heart…no work ethic…no passion to be the best.” maybe because his heart is poured out for others.
so is this a ridiculous, narrow-minded comparison? maybe. but i think it’s worth considering. i’m not advocating the boycotting of competition. it would be relationship suicide here in the great state. texas thrives on competition on every level and every sector of public and private life. no…it’s here to stay and gaining momentum with each passing season of friday night lights. (great show, by the way. an absolute must for parents of teenagers and those who want to make a difference in the lives of kids.)
i guess what i’m saying tonight is that since competition is such an unbelievably powerful intoxicant…and since it isn’t going away… maybe we better pay closer attention to how our kids are processing it.
and work harder at helping them build the kind of character we want it to reveal.
go team.
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