When I was a cub scout (a long time ago) my dad and I (mostly my dad) built a pinewood derby car and entered it into the pinewood derby…
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It wasn’t much to look at, but it was fast.
In fact, it was the fastest car in the competition…and I won first place!
Excited about my win, and fueled by a thirst for more victory, I entered another car in the pinewood derby the following year. This time the car was much slicker looking and more aerodynamic. I thought for sure I would win again.
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Unfortunately, I didn’t fare as well with my fancy new car. It was eliminated quite early in the competition.
Wah, wah, wah.
At least it looked good!
This lust for victory is not unusual amongst champions. Just look at the New England Patriots!
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with being competitive and always trying to be our best. However, it can backfire on us if our motives are not in a healthy place.
When we get our self-worth from our accomplishments, then it seems like we have to keep accomplishing things to be satisfied. What’s more, those things seem to need to be more and more impressive every time.
When we get our self-worth from the fact that we are loved simply for who we are, then we can be free to accomplish things out of an overflow of the joy within us rather than the insecurity.
This is what it means to be the difference. We give ourselves credit for being rather than doing.
It’s a much more generous and creative place to come from.
At least that’s been my experience.
What do you think?