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Heartwings Lovenotes 916 - Competition versus Cooperation

Heartwings says, "Competition trains us to focus on winning; cooperation helps get goals met."

As a child I disliked competition of all kinds and especially in sports. One reason was that I wasn't very agile or well-coordinated and thus most often chosen last for any team. Another was that it made me sad that someone had to lose in order for someone to win. I played board games yet not with the keen desire to win that others played. For instance, Parcheesi which was a popular game when I was young was best won by blocking opponents and rendering them helpless. I never enjoyed doing that.

My mother was a fierce competitor. She played Chinese checkers without mercy, making no allowances for youth or inexperience. She played to win, regardless. I did not take after her, though I did learn to play a good game of Chinese Checkers. Fast forward to my adulthood and I still resisted competition when I could. My children invariably made me enter the tired Mothers Race at the fourth of July games. in the town where they grew up. I came in last no matter how hard I pumped my legs.

My children's father was very competitive, and they all strove to do well in order to make him happy. He cherished their ribbons and trophies and often coached their various teams to victory. As a loyal mom I used to attend their tennis matches and baseball and ice hockey games, cheering along with the other parents, and trembling for fear they would lose and be sad. I was glad when the games or matches were over.

Competition is said to be good for children. Today even little ones barely out of toddler years are put on teams to play at various sports. For competitive people that's good. For those like me, not so much. On the other hand, it is possible to play games in the spirit of cooperation. Team efforts in sports are only one version of that. There is a cooperative way to play any game, and that is to play to see how high the score can rise. Scrabble can be played that way, and I know that would be perfect for me.

May you find ways to use your talents well, whether competitively or cooperatively.

PS How do you feel about competition? Do you enjoy it or do you prefer cooperation as a way of life? I do love hearing from my readers, and encourage you to let me know how you feel. Your emails make my day! Tashahal@gmail.com.

I love to hear from readers and would be honored if you would comment and let me know any suggestions or thoughts. If a friend sent you this, you can sign up at my web site, www.heartwingslovenotes.com, where more love notes can be found in the archives.

Blessings and Best Regards,
Tasha Halpert
 

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