May 27, 2015, TGIW: Unhumping Hump Day…Win or Lose?
By Darrell Gurney | Blog
“When you are 16 there is no fear whatsoever. As you get older you play in more important games and that is when you start thinking about what will happen if you win or lose.” –Wayne Rooney
We’re often held back in our “playing” — whether in career, life, or love — by the fear of losing.
However, if we honestly examine any time we’ve played, did we really lose? If the answer is yes, maybe we can look deeper.
Did we become more aware of what it will take to eventually win at that game?
Did we grow in knowledge, experience, muscle-building and (necessary for that) the requisite scar tissue?
Did our playing simply for the sake of playing beat the stalemate or paralysis of waiting to figure it all out?
What if to “win” means knowing there’s absolutely no way we can ever lose (when all is taken into account)?
What if to “lose” means simply not playing?
IF, just IF that were the case, what hand, move or shot would you play, make or take today?
Got no-way-to-loseness?
“It is not up to me whether I win or lose. Ultimately, this might not be my day. And it is that philosophy towards sports, something that I really truly live by. I am emotional. I want to win. I am hungry. I am a competitor. I have that fire. But deep down, I truly enjoy the art of competing so much more than the result.” –Apolo Ohno