With a moment of birth we are thrown in this competitive world where winning is as necessary as living. Survival of the fittest has become a norm. However, in the time and space where victories are celebrated and revered how should the failures be perceived? Do the series of victories at various phases of life decide the ultimate gravity of success? Let us learn more from Sungjemlila.
MORE THAN WINNING
We have all been a part of a competition, be it the small competitions in schools and colleges or even the worldwide competitions like the Olympics and all the tiny seemingly insignificant of the big magnificent ones that shape us. Competitions are common but what is even more common in all the human race is the urge to win the race in the fastest pace. Alas to what we are alien to – what’s “more than winning”. In our desperate attempts to win, we miss out on What’s “more than winning”, as winning is just a moment of fleeting joy, a moment so beautiful yet so brief. Of course! Congratulations to the winners but when all the well-wishers are gone, what else remains? Is it the joy of winning or the things learned in the journey? And, at times we lose, how much tears do we pour? Why should we remain naive like a little child who cries when he does not get the things he wants?
Can we refocus our goals and embrace all that is more than winning? Just like how our experiences in the journey teach us many lessons and all the failures we meet along the lines prepare us. Competitions are awakenings. Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose, just how often do we see it as an awakening? It teaches us so much about life itself. Failures are beautiful because usually it is the bottom that teaches us the best lessons. This is why we hear all the successful personalities in the world say that the journey is more beautiful than the destination. This is why we see that all those who have achieved great success have failed countless times.
Our success or failure does not determine our worth but we take out what shapes us because at the end of the day, what we make out of the journey is what defines us. There are many successful people today who are not even appreciated, many successful people who are lonely, many who are successful but detested by people because they are only filled with pride. There are people who made it to the finishing line of the race but are unhappy. We often hear many successful people who have billions of money say, “if only I could live a normal happy life”. Success tastes good because the taste of the destination is sweet but we miss out on many things in life if we miss out on the most important thing i.e. the journey. All the runners race, players play and we compete but years down the line do we remember the points we scored or the fond memories we made? Let’s broaden our horizon by seeking deeper into everything that lies within.
The taste of failure can be bitter. Nobody likes failure and nobody starts off with a task just to lose. We often associate failure with some negative feelings. We feel dejected and useless when we lose. How often do we try to look at the bigger picture? Do we try to learn from what the failure has taught us or do we even appreciate the little things? It is great that we try to console the ones who have lost by saying, “Try harder”, “You can do better” or “better luck next time”. But it would be so much greater if we could celebrate what was more than winning for them instead of placing the word ‘winning’ on a pedestal, making it seem like it is the only good thing we can get out of a competition. Because more than winning could be so much- it could be the unexpected encounters of humans, the new friends and bonds that we make, the laughter that we share or even the tiniest insignificant obstacles which go a long way in broadening our mindsets, knowledge and our hearts. For some people, more than winning could just be the things that might seem trivial to many- things like being able to change the habit of working up late for preparing themselves for the competitions, or just being able to meet the competitors from whom they learn a new skill or find inspiration.
However, “more than winning” as described above does not devalue success. All the people in this world from time immemorial wish to achieve success in everything they do. “More than winning” does not encourage us to remain in the same place when we lose if we want to achieve success. Instead it encourages us to take the best out of it and start again with a new mindset and with more openness and positivity; otherwise it would just be a dead end if we continue on the same track with bitterness and learn no new lessons from our past failures. Yes, pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. We cannot continue to remain suffering if we want to get the taste of success. We have all heard a thousand success stories from successful people and we know that success does not happen overnight and that success is not everyone’s cup of tea as it requires a lot of perseverance and hard work. The list about how to achieve success goes on and on but what most of us miss out on our own different tasks, missions and competitions is what’s “more than winning”.
Henceforth, the next time we participate in a competition or start a new journey and continue to sail on the boat to reach our destination, can we all give ourselves a chance to explore the unseen, learn the unknown and rejoice for every little thing that comes along our way? Can we be more present, more mindful and really ask ourselves, “what do I need to be more attentive to?” We are all here in this world for abundant experiences so let us seek out all that is good and learn from all that is bad. Above all, let us always remember that everything that happens comes along as lessons in disguise and every person we meet teaches us something. One day when we are grey and old, we will only remember the fond memories that we made and not the trophies we got. So, let us not miss out on what could be more than winning for each of us in our desperate attempts to win.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Dr. Pfokrelo Kapesa, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
For feedback or comments please email: dot@tetsocollege.org