When I ran 5k’s and didn’t place, it sucked.
I especially didn’t like it if it was crowded, and I’m running on a boring course like city streets.
Now that I’m older, I’m winning at 5k’s in my age group. And it’s fun!
It doesn’t matter the prize, I just like to win. It can be a pie. It can be a Christmas ornament. Or it can be $50! There’s something inside of me (and I believe inside all of us) that likes to win. I don’t know if it’s vanity or shallowness or self-validation. All I know is man is created to always strive to do better, to be better, to test his limits and his skills. And when we accomplish a goal or do better than others, endorphins kick in and we feel alive! We feel ecstatic. We feel for lack of a better word–validated. As if our existence means something. If only for a fleeting moment in time…
The same is true for CrossFit.
I CrossFit because I like to win. I like to beat the boys. I like to beat everyone. I like to be on top. It doesn’t always happen (in fact, it’s less frequent than I’d like), but when it does, my day is stellar. My confidence is up. My attitude is winning. My perspective sees the big picture instead of the miniscule daily irritations in life.
All because I won at something.
Over the weekend, I was talking to my husband about this same thing. He used to race motorcycles. And win all the time. He used to be one of the top racers in his class. He misses that. He misses the competition. But mainly he misses winning. He is seeking that “thing” again in his life. Because we all need it…
My advice to you: find your “thing” and win at it! Pickleball. Tennis. Swimming. Running races. CrossFit. Board games. Pool. Or team sports: softball, basketball, flag football, etc. Writing contests. Pie-eating or baking contests. Quilting. There is no end to what this world offers.
Find your passion. Do your passion. Win at your passion.
Trust me, if you do, your life will be much more fulfilling, meaningful, vivacious, and full of hope. Your confidence will skyrocket. You’ll be more content and ready to take the inevitable beatings the world pummels you with.
Every victory counts. No matter how small.
Because it’s the small victories in life that climb the highest obstacles in your path.
My Journey to the CrossFit Games 