After many years of developing ourselves either for a sport, a hobby or for our work we are sometimes challenged to see if we can win. This may be in a race, a competition, or in the examination room.
I well remember all of the occasions just mentioned. As a keen sports person there is many a race I have won and felt the rush of joy by reaching the finishing tape first, the victory of the competition just won, even the satisfaction of working hard for an examination and feeling a glow when I know I can answer all of the questions that challenge my knowledge.
Like many though, I have also felt the disappointment of finishing well down the race track, my attempt at a competition falling well below standard set by others and the utter horror of reading an examination paper and not having a clue where to start.
It may be a play on words but there is a useful point to consider which I am coming to……so do hold on!
As with the fine animal in this picture, which had just won first prize, it is wonderful to feel the satisfaction that all of our efforts have paid off. The training for the sports field, the expertise we may have developed in our hobby, all of the studying for our examinations. The preparation needed to achieve excellence is seldom seen other than by those who are close to us – the late nights, the long days, the hurdles climbed over, the false starts, the errors made, the practice followed by more practice until our mind and body weakens, the social gathering missed, and so the list goes on……
Well, to summarise a quote from Shakespeare ‘this winning I must uneasy make, lest the easy winning makes the prize light’.
So is it really the PRIZE that matters most to us, or the PRIDE that we have achieved something of excellence?
Well there’s a thought…..
My best wishes,
Peter
