“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”
-‘Red’ Sanders -UCLA Bruins Coach
Americans want to win. We are a competitive bunch. From beating the work traffic each morning to winning the lottery, so much in our lives revolves around winning.
Competition is everywhere. The sports arena is built around winning and losing. As Vince Lombardi said, “If it doesn’t matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?” Athletes certainly don’t train and practice to lose. The World Series was played this week. Rain delays threatened to change the format of the games. Many fans were angry and crying “no fair.” They wanted a true winner and loser. Brett tells me that knowing his team can be the winner "..keeps me coming back week after week to the football field. Why would I keep returning if I knew I was going to lose?"
Lotteries are found in 41 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Many people dream of winning the lottery to realize all their other dreams. These people measure success by the numbers that appear on their ‘scratch and win’ cards or by the numbers chosen in the drawing.
The secret to winning and being successful is a favorite topic of many authors. Books abound with titles like The Success Formula, The Secrets of Success, Dress for Success, Step up to Success in Business and in Life –and the list goes on. My friend Sean reads success and motivational books. “I always find something helpful,” he says. Sean’s dream of winning means climbing the ladder at his job. He feels that he can prosper by researching someone else’s success story.
Tuesday, November 4th is the ultimate example of winning in America. Our presidential elections will be held. Every four years Americans are given the opportunity to have a hand in choosing the winner. Only one person can come out on top. We have two men who have worked hard just for the chance to be in the running. They have dreamed of this for years. Their American dream is to be successful and win the race. When all the votes are counted we will call one winner and one loser.
When asked about success and winning John Madden said, “The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else.” Maybe it is time we re-evaluate how we view our own American dream.
1 comment:
I agree with your statement, “There are those who think that the practice of democracy here is sealed for life. However, they forget the simple fact that democracy is a way of life.” I think there are a lot of people that believe this. I also believe that people don’t understand how easily the system could change if they don’t pay attention. By paying attention, I mean staying informed as to what is happening in our government.
I also agree with James. The students at the school I teach at seem so entitled. They just expect thing to be given to them and don’t feel they need to work for their grade, that simply showing up for class they have earned an A. My media students seem to think that the fancy equipment will just show up each year and that participating in a fundraiser is too much work.
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