Games and Winning

I’m sure most of you have run into this person, the one who gets so competitive with a game that they need to win despite all odds, despite the fact that it’s supposed to be a friendly game with family or friends, despite the fact that there is absolutely nothing to gain from winning; except maybe protecting their ego. I used to be this person. In fact, many in my family used to or still are this person (although I must say most have changed). I used to be the one who got so upset when I would start losing that I would snip at others, get sarcastic, and become a mean version of my normally jovial self. It wasn’t very becoming of me, and I see the detriment and the harm it caused others. It’s not a good way to be. Most games are supposed to be fun, and instead of teaching us how to win at all costs, they should be teaching us how to lose with grace.

We won’t win every game, we won’t succeed in all aspects of life, we won’t get every job we apply for, in fact most of us may lose more often than we win. So what better way to learn how to lose than in the simple games we play with family and friends, the card and board games that are designed to be fun. I’m sure there are many who know how to lose with grace, but there are also many who don’t, and it took me a long time myself to learn how to lose those simple games without getting upset. I still feel the an urge to get upset with some games, but I’ve come a long way and feel that I and those around me are better for it. Learning how to lose with grace is something we can all do with a little more of. Life has become so competitive that it’s a more valuable skill to know how to lose gracefully than to win at all costs, we just need to move past ourselves and our own ego. It involves looking at the bigger picture and realising what’s really important versus what’s not. Let’s all do our part and learn how to lose with a little more grace. Those around us will be grateful for it and we will be happier in the long run as well.