Competition and Comparison

Yesterday I read ‘Competition is a gift from God…’ an article by a ‘Jonny Reid’.

I was interested firstly because I’ve known a ‘Jonny Read’ for 35 years (who’s nothing like the article writer) and secondly because I have a love-hate relationship with ‘competition’…

…As a young man I enjoyed taking part in competitive sport… rugby, hockey, football, cricket, running… I still enjoy watching sport… the drama, competition, winners and losers….

And yet… I have no interest in quizzes. If I play Monopoly or some other game I don’t care who wins. If a discussion becomes a competitive argument I’m happy to lose…

Musing… When I became a headteacher I inherited a school that had a ‘non-competitive’ sports day. I changed that tradition. We reintroduced competitive track races and field events. Children, staff and parents were delighted…

We encouraged the children to recognise that…

• doing your best and not winning is OK…
• you can enjoy something you’re not necessarily good at…
• some have talents on the track others have talents on the stage… or in the art studio, or technology workshop…
• knowing and accepting what you’re good at and what you’re bad at… knowing and accepting yourself… is important…
• treating each other with care and respect is more important than winning or losing…

Jonny Reid… points out that ‘competition’ comes from the Latin word ‘Competere’, meaning ‘striving together’… which can have two outcomes…

…It can affect the self-worth of the competitors – ‘I won so I’m better than you’, ‘I lost so I’m worth less than you…’

…Alternatively it can give me a greater self-awareness. I understand my strengths; I recognise my weaknesses and seek to improve… I appreciate the strengths of others; I understand and support them in their weaknesses…

…My faith turns me to the paradox of the one who ‘…made himself nothing by taking on the nature of a servant…’ so that through striving together and a greater self-awareness I can be the best I can be…

Jonny Reid’s article can be found on: https://www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/competition-is-a-gift-from-god-federer-and-nadals-tears-prove-it/13945.article?utm_source=Premier%20Christian%20Media&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=13486886_Voice%20of%20hope%2028.09.2022&dm_i=16DQ,812JQ,CAD3HC,WUKGW,1