But I don't think these are the only types of things that can bring out our competitive natures. I think I am very competitive against myself. I want to do better than I have done before. I want to exceed my own standards; my own levels of performance. And I think this is healthy.
Recently while my husband and I were on a trip to Utah and Idaho, in the middle of winter, I could not get my husband to put on the only light jacket he had brought along, at my insistence of course. Granted he is a big guy that never seems to feel the cold. But these were extreme temperatures we were experiencing; below zero kind of cold!
Finally I asked him why. Certainly you are cold? Certainly you must be feeling the effects of this awful place?
His response? "I don't want to let the cold win."
My hyper-competitive husband is so stubborn he was challenging the cold to get to him, to break him somehow. It was like some kind of triple-dog-dare against the elements.
You know what? As crazy as I think that is, I also admire his spirit. I think a person can go far in this life with a "Must Win" attitude.
So I ask you, and I ask myself: What are we letting win? Are our habits winning? Our weaknesses? Our addictions, perhaps?
Going into this new year, I plan to foster this competitive spirit. I am determined to overcome things that may have whipped me in the past. I am not going to "let the cold win"!
3 comments:
Hahaha that's awesome! This actually goes quite well with what's been on my mind lately. Thank you.
I'm admittedly competitive....at least I can acknowledge it right? I agree though, it can definitely be used in positive ways!
I love the photo that you have with the post too!
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