So this happened yesterday at the Issaquah Subway… A
co-worker and I were having lunch on nom-nom quality sando love, right? Well,
Ron asked me what I was doing on the weekend. It seems I’m always up to
something. I go on to explain that I am issuing the awards that I created and
bought for my birthday weekend Superhero Scavenger Hunt.
He asked what kinda of awards, and I launched into this
rhetoric.
I announce: “I wanted to make the winners feel special, but
also acknowledge the efforts of the participants. After all, they did put forth
an effort to 1) get dressed up 2) motor down to Fremont 3) run around taking
pictures 4) and partied with me while in costume. C’mon, I’ve gotta do
something special.”
Ron replies: “Nowadays, at public schools they only issue
participation ribbons for events like Field Day. No more 1st to 3rd
place.”
I fired back: “WHAT? That’s horseshit. What happened to the
days of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place podium finish?
We’re celebrating mediocrity? Awesome, America.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “Competition is the keystone
to the foundation of America, the United State of America! If you didn’t win,
then that’s your motivation to keep digging to be a winner the next time
around. Seriously, I’m gonna quote the movie, The Rock. Losers whine about
their best, while the winners come home and f the prom queen! C’mon, America.
Do better, separate the best from the rest, yo.
I pause, and Ron smiles.
I continue: “Lemme tell ya a story from my childhood, Ron.
The Cub Scouts of America every year host the Pinewood Derby contest. [He has a
son so he already knew about this] The last year of cub scouts is WE.B.LO.S –
We Be Loyal Scouts. Dad and I were determined to win that year. We were torched
every other year. So we designed, finessed, and battled to the finals, and
ended up being 3rd place. I was so disappointed, upset, and mad.
Later that afternoon, my Dad found me outside near the woodshed, sobbing while
holding my Pinewood Derby Car entry and the 3rd place ribbon.”
“Dad asked me why I was pouting. I muttered through pursed
lips, ‘We didn’t win, Dad.’ He smiled, he knew his son was truly a competitive
spirit. He coached me, ‘That’s true, sonny boy. However, the bright side is you
beat all but two competitors. That means next time you’ve got your goal to beat
all other competitors. Besides, all the variables will change the next time
around, meaning that’ll mean different results. You can only focus and
concentrate on your efforts, and your game. Don’t worry about the others. Just
do your best with what you got. And if your best is the best overall, then
great. And if not, keep trying until it is. So chin up, ‘los. Imagine what the
4th place boy is thinking. He didn’t earn a ribbon, a spot on the
podium, or a photo. He received a participation ribbon. Feel like a winner in
the Olympics. Frankly, you are a winner.’”
“Ron, that’s the origin of my competitive spirit, and the
reason why mediocre efforts shouldn’t be rewarded!”
Little did I realize that my rhetoric was loud enough for
the restaurant to hear, or the lady behind me lingering long enough at the
fountain drink filling station to hear it all. She smiled as she walked out and
looked at Ron.
I observed the expression on his face change, so I asked,
“What’s up, bro?”
He pointed with his chin, “That lady agreed with you. She stuck around long enough to hear what you had to say!”
“Competition breeds winners! Just saying.”
This has been your C Note - best summarized as keep digging, y'all.
'los; out.
Comments
Post a Comment