Winning by Watching

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to spend time with a dear friend who is in middle school.  Among our activities was a card game, Phase 10, that I'd played once when Julia introduced it during her last visit.  It was great to watch her competitiveness emerge during the phases of the game.  Though I lost, I won by watching her compete.

It reminded me that score is just one measure of winning.  We often win by encouraging others, spending time with them, and competing in efforts where age, skill and experience don't dictate winners.

How We Play the Game Matters

Playing the card game, hearts, provides a classic reminder that tides can change frequently (from hand to hand).  A slow start, is often just that.  It is not necessarily an indication of how the game will progress,or ultimately conclude.  And, as is also the case with important projects, the result is often not available until the conclusion.  Though winning scores are the only ones recorded, how we play the game matters. We know if we finished second rather than fourth,  and we also know when we sacrifice an uncompensated point to keep another player from taking all the points.  We remember, too. lessons we learn, win or lose.

Winning is always fun, but playing the game well has rewards beyond the final score.

What's Your Line?

Everyone has a script.

As friends, loved ones, neighbors, colleagues, classmates, parishioners or "friends-yet-to-be-met" we need to be aware that we each have a script for our lives.  The varied scripts include:

• Academy award nominee or winner
• Great but not nominated
• Not yet ready for prime time
• Work in progress
• Jack or Jill of all trades
• Character actor
• Bit player
• Supporting cast
• Walk-on
• Waiting to be discovered
• Member of the crowd
• Specialist
• Director
• Producer
• Family member or friend of any of the players listed above

Ideally, if one of the scripts above doesn't fit, we'll create a unique role for ourselves.