For your consideration….
There are many debates about sports and children. Give trophies to all, don’t give our trophies or give them out to the winners. The debate is because we don’t want any child to “feel bad.” Of course, we don’t want anyone to feel bad or have hurt feelings but that is out of our control and it is unrealistic to life. Our purpose should always be to give our children the skills to cope with every situation in life. It should be to empower them.
After all, winning and losing involves judgment. If we suspend judgment, it is simply an event where everyone benefits with the journey and lessons it provides…if they choose. Don’t we learn from those who are more expert than we are. Rising to challenges strengthens us whether we win or not. The question is not who has the winning score but what we got out of the game. Was it fun? Did we learn anything? Did we make friends? How did we feel playing? Are we stronger?
It is that way with anything in life. Winning and losing is subjective. I remember my Mom and her brothers and sisters and their spouses playing euchre and pinochle. It would be passionate. They would play late into the night. Sometimes calling in an order for Coney Island hot dogs and then pausing while someone went and picked them up and then continuing on. The next day I would ask “who one?” I remember my Aunt Bev saying with a big smile on her face, “They beat our a–. It was terrible.” Again, she would be smiling and chuckling about it. The words did not seem to match the smile and feel good mood. And that was the lesson. The joy of playing, the joy of competition, the joy of learning and making mistakes and the joy of being with people you love made everyone a winner.
Our message today reminds us that it is the judgment we attach to winning and losing that matters. We can not be a loser if we don’t accept losing as a negative.
That is the HOPE. And so it is.
Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…
-Affirm…“I am loved.”
-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”
-Drink lots of water.
-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.
-You decide if you win or lose.
What made me smile yesterday….
-An early trip to the gym.
-Home Depot errands done.
-Catching up with Jackie and Shannon.
-An early bedtime with a good book.
Love, Blessings and Gratitude,
Rev. Chris
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