Do we always have to win in life?
Can we enjoy life if we lose?
How would you answer those two questions? Life is all about experiencing winning and losing. As a parent, I am trying to instill this in my girls’ minds so they are not going through life journey with trying to achieve perfection at all they do. So many times, I see kids get mad, get upset, and stomp their feet vigorously. I know how that feels, as I was that kid growing up. The energy I would spend on being so upset, could have been spent on energy enjoying life more.
This past weekend, the girls were playing travel games in the vehicle to pass the time on our road trip. L was trying to be sneaky and do a jump that was not allowed in the game of checkers. The tears start flowing, the arms start folding and “the worst game ever” words are shouted out from my upset little girl. I immediately turned around and said – “It’s not about winning the game every time. It is about enjoying the game and creating joy in your life.”
My sweet precious girl was not understanding such words, but I kept repeating those same words over and over to her for about 20 minutes. I want my girls to know, they can lose and it will be okay. Only one person is perfect and was winning at everything he did on this Earth. That is our almighty Jesus. He died for our sins so we did not have to be perfect in all way do. The joy is to just have fun with our daily life and enjoy each moment while trying to savor those moments as well.
M came home with her first non-A of the year last week. It was a 92 which was almost an A. The tears began to well up in her beautiful brown eyes. I saw myself as a child standing right before my eyes. I always had to make all A’s in school or the tears would come pouring right into the shoulders of my parents. Life of stress and worrying kept me from enjoying those school moments. Anxiety and stress took over. I sat down with M and told her that we would be proud as long as she was giving her best. Life is not all about letter grades. Life is about putting forth your best effort and enjoying each moment.
As a wife, parent, friend and all my other titles, I am repeating those words to myself. Let’s embrace our skills and enjoy each moment we are given during this beautiful time of life.
Such a hard concept for kids … especially when they are surrounded by grown ups who are determined to win at everything. Have you been on the sidelines of kid’s soccer games of late .. ugh – we quit!