I've been thinking about winning and losing a lot lately, especially since this weekend was Head of the River, the final regatta of the year for many boys' schools in Sydney.
Of course, everyone wants to win.
We want to win someone's heart, or maybe win the lottery, we want to win the regatta or the basketball game, we want to win the 'good looks jackpot' or win the business deal or the contract, or just win in life.
But often we don't.
So does that mean we lose?
As I was thinking about winning and losing, I listened to one of Brooke Castillo's podcasts. So good! Brooke said:
In the space of one week, I had an excellent teacher on this topic in the shape of a 17 year old son. I watched him pick himself up from a major (self-created) "lose" to addressing his school as Captain of Boats and inspiring a sea of 1,200 young men.
In his speech, he turned around our ideas about losing. He re-framed effort as a noble thing. He explained why hard (rowing without the win, rowing without glory, being one of eight in a crew, indistinguishable and un-praised) is good.
I know that sounds like a mom-brag but really, his life has almost nothing to do with me. I'm guessing it's the same with your kids (if you have them): our two sons have always just been who they are...often in spite of me, often despite anything I say. (Drives me crazy sometimes, truly! Ha! Anyway.)
We are who we are.
Me. You.
And we're different, but one thing is the same: we all win and lose sometimes. So can we think of this as winning and learning? Not losing?
When we're young enough not to judge ourselves, we lose with abandon. We fall, get back up, get into trouble, do things wrong. And we just don't care.
Like this unconcerned baby at the regatta. She's like, "You're telling me life is a race?? Why??"
And she's right. It's not a race; it's a school. Life is a big amazing school with all these opportunities for growth, where we win sometimes, and learn sometimes...
And it's all okay. All of it.
Have a beautiful weekend, everybody. Embrace your wins and your learns.
Sending love from Sydney,
Catherine xx
PS. More fun for you:
- Have you ever watched a regatta? If not, you can watch 45 seconds here!
- Want to do something for women who need us in Sydney? I love this easy solution.
- Need a little pick-me-up today? Try this quick hack. So good!
- If a friend forwarded this email to you, you can sign up for your own here. Once every weekend, some happiness from my world to yours. xox
- And as always, if this resonates with you, please share the good vibes with people you love. Thank you. I appreciate you!