Bang! The sixth graders lurch forward and spring towards the finish line, a quarter mile down the track. I am observing them from the rear of the pack where I am standing next to the coach of our middle school’s track and field team. He is agitated and irritated; the last runner in the race is straggling way in the rear, the boy is on the coach’s team and the coach is not happy. The boy is also the coach’s son.
It wasn’t a nice moment. The dad/coach ran alongside the kid spilling invectives about the child’s performance. The child struggled gamely on with dad right there to increase the misery. But the kid kept running. I was in awe of his bravery and determination.
Meanwhile, another little boy won the race to the cheers of his coach and teammates. Parents spilled out of the bleachers to congratulate their little winners. The little loser still hadn’t reached the finish line. But, and this is amazing to me, that little boy didn't stop running, he didn't stop struggling and trying until after he’d crossed the finish line. He kept running on behind the bleachers, out of sight, avoiding his coach and teammates. To me,that little loser was the true champion of the day. If I had to choose the winner or the loser to be with on a stranded island, I'd definitely choose the loser, the champion.
It’s easy to be a winner. Winners have natural talents. Winners work hard and are able to. Winners get cheers and ribbons. Winners get attention and resources. Winners have a future. Winning is the key to the kingdom. I’m not saying this is a bad thing. Winners deserve our respect and recognition. But champions are the viscera that hold our social body together, and they also deserve respect and recognition.
May love and dignity be upon us all.
Namaste
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