Victory in Defeat

    Accepting defeat graciously is often times easier said than done for most us. It's not easy to face failure especially if you exerted time and effort, sacrificed the things you like to do and missed important moments all for the glory of achieving one goal, to win.

      I have seen agony on the faces of those who gave their best shot only to find out there were others whose finest moves were way much better than theirs. This is very common in sports match. I remember my children who had the biggest smiles when they got their first medals in a swimming competition for novice category years ago. Their faces beamed with pride and glory. But when it was time for them to experience losing in a game, the once joyful faces became gloomy. It was then i realized that i have to tell them winning is not everything. Not all winners are triumphant and not all losers are crushed. Indeed, as what our teachers in grade school always tell us, "how you play the game matters most." Teaching children this important lesson is not as complicated as reminding the adults of becoming better persons after losing battles in life. The result of this year's election proved that there will always be people who refuse to accept failure. They accused their opponents of cheating. The funny thing is that there are those who won and still complained that they have been cheated basing on the slim margin of votes between them and their political rivals. My admiration and deep respect goes to those who acceded without wallowing in self-pity, becoming sour grapes and putting the blame on others.

     There is no need to be embarrassed when one losses in a competition. The things to be ashamed of are giving in to mediocrity, defying sportsmanship and criticizing the winners.Embracing defeat with humility in our hearts is actually victory in disguise. It is sweeter than winning with a boastful heart. I would like to end this note to ponder on for my first newspaper column with excerpts from the poem "Winning Moments" by an anonymous poet which was shared by one of the teachers of my daughter.

"A real winner appreciates victory in defeat.
Hugs an opponent for a good game
Fights and forgets fame.

A winner competes with a loving heart
With a healthy body and a healthy mind.
He who wins is the one who thanks God
With all humility and selfless heart."

First posted on Facebook Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 11:54am and From the Heart Column in Cebu The Voice.