WIN!

WIN!
By Andy Weddington
Thursday, 22 February 2018

Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war.  Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States

As defined in Merriam-Webster ...

win: to achieve victory in a fight, contest, game, etc.; to get (something) by effort.

The aim of the athletes competing in the Winter Olympics is to win.

Of course, to win a medal. 

But, too, to win personal goals (that, for some, are more realistic than a top three finish).

Many hours I've watched. 

And sport notwithstanding, it is not lost on me the dedication invested in training to compete at that level.

To state the obvious, to win is the driver.

This morning I saw a clip of a female Canadian hockey player who removed her Silver medal immediately after it was draped upon her. 

Queried after the awards ceremony about her hasty action she commented as to how hard they had worked - implying so much as her team's entitlement to the Gold. 

Did she consider perhaps the winning team, the Americans, had worked equally hard (and maybe a bit harder)?

Her act disappointing and contrary to the spirit of Olympic competition.

Was there nothing else, but a Gold medal, for her to consider a win?

And so this morning, after last evening hearing a heartbroken father express how "pissed" he was to President Trump yesterday about the senseless murder of his daughter, I've been thinking about that school in Florida and the shooter.

He killed 17.

Preventative measures from raising the age for purchase of rifles to arming personnel in schools rage in debate.

Mental health?

But, to him, did he win?

In that context, consider the time, effort, and planning that went into that shooting.

You and I would not have done it. Not even thought about it. But that is moot. 

Someone did - not only think about it but proceeded, methodically, to carry out their plan.

What is a winner?

A winner achieves victory in a fight, contest, game, etc. A winner gets something by their efforts.

And, to win, some lose.

A not-to-be-denied soul finds a way.

To win. 

To kill. 

If not by rifle then how about by some other clever way (e.g., by drone)?

Now, we (society at-large) want to win. 

That is, no more mass attacks. 

So is not the winner's way (e.g., Olympic athletes) to be aggressive on offense - prepare smarter and longer and harder - toward winning vice being micro-focused on defense (passive measures) to prevent losing?

Tough, complex conversation. Damn tough and complex. 

But winning is tough. And complex. 

Some die trying. 

Some cry in defeat. 

In Florida ...

Win did the shooter.

Lose we that battle.

Now, holstering pointer fingers, to find the way to win the war (not just the next similar battle).

Action not reaction necessary. 

Then commitment, perseverance, and a not-to-be-denied sense in all our souls. 

Though first, if to win, a fresh look at exactly what it is we compete.