Can we be too competitive?

How do you handle rivalry?

I’ve been playing “Words with Friends” over the weekend. I really like the game, but it wasn’t until this morning that I realized I don’t enjoy it.  I want to, I just don’t. That has to change. What’s the point of playing if it can’t also be fun? But if you read my post about guilt-free joy, you’ll understand.

Rivalry should be fun

I’ve been playing “Words with Friends” over the weekend. I really like the game, but it wasn’t until this morning that I realized I don’t enjoy it.  I want to, I just don’t. That has to change. What’s the point of playing if it can’t also be fun? But if you read my post about guilt-free joy, you’ll understand.

Learning to play

So today I’m choosing to have fun playing WWF. I’ve decided it’s OK if I lose. And if I do, I will still be learning lots of new words, words, of course, I’ll never use. And I at least have the honor of once beating my never-once-defeated husband. By the way, he’s never lost a game, except to me. That makes me feel a little cerebral.

I never connected depression with competition but there is one. When we can’t “play” because we have to win and never lose, we set ourselves up for depression and anxiety. When we lose we feel we’ve failed and our mood drops.

But in fact, failure can often be the catalyst for success. I’m sure you know that Edison tried thousands of times before he invented the light bulb. Thousands!

So, how do handle rivalry?

So I’m changing my view about failure. I want to enjoy being competitive in a wholesome way. I actually know in advance I’m going to lose my WWF game anyway because I’m playing against my toughest competitor, my husband When I lose I’m going to convince myself it’s only a game and no one will know anyway. But should I win, I’m writing it down somewhere where he has to see it every day!

Anyway, how are you at losing? Anything? Even your keys. Does it throw you into a tailspin? If it does, maybe you, too, need to reexamine these areas.

We need to accept failure but not get accustomed to it. Failure should ignite us to do better not give up. If it doesn’t we need to rethink how we “play.”

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God bless and have a great day.

Rebecca

Hi. I'm so glad you're here. My blog focuses on faith and mental health issues such as mood disorders like depression, anxiety, and dysthymia (chronic low moods that don't qualify as depression.) I post DIY and decorating projects when I can. My book, "Depression Has A Big Voice. Make Yours Bigger! (Expanded Edition), is on sale at all online retailers. I have a Psychology degree and post-graduate courses in Clinical Pastoral Education. I am a former hospital chaplain, Bible teacher, and retreat/conference inspirational speaker. Thank you for visiting and may you feel God's presence today.

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