Photo Credit: Madeline Apperson
Often times I wonder if there is a true art to losing.
Being an athlete we are trained to win; we eat, breath and sleep our respected sport. In the end, the ultimate goal being the number one team.
When I was younger, a loss seemed like the worst thing that could possibly happen. I took it personally: tears, meltdowns, the whole ten yards. To which turned into the blame game, where my loses were not my fault, rather someone else's.
Now, a bit older, and I'd like to think a bit wiser, I have realized that perhaps there is an art to losing.
Losing isn't just something found on the athletic field; losing is something that surrounds our everyday life.
Which brings me to my point. Is there an art to losing?
What is the proper way to handle life's loses?
Are there some unwritten rules for losing?
If so, what are they?
As part of my graduation requirements, I am required to complete two terms of co-ops. These co-ops must relate to my respected major, and enable "x" amount of hours.
I have found that with my major it is not easy to find paid internships.
Being the typical broke college kid, my summer is typically devoted to working extensive hours, to save up my money, that ultimately will evaporate into absolutely nothing.
However, this summer is a bit different. Welcome to the world of Co-oping.
With this new world required of me comes the world of losing.
Finding a co-op is a stressful thing.
What's more stressful is being that typical broke college student, finding a co-op and finding one that is paid.
Venturing out into this new world, I have experienced numerous interviews and multiple "losses."
Instead of those meltdowns, I have started to put my losses into perspective; the art of losing.
If it doesn't work out, then what's the point of having a meltdown, blaming myself or blaming others?
My mom said something that truly resonated with me, "if you want or need something, visualize it in your mind and the universe will provide the way for you to have it."
Maybe this is the art to losing. Finding pure awareness, much like our third eye.
Losing may be stressful and seem like the worst thing possible, but what I have learned is that maybe it is so stressful because we allow it to be.
Perhaps the art of losing is not allowing these losses to cause us stress, but give us an opportunity to take them and find the good within them.
Alexander Graham Bell once said, "When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."
Though still waiting on a co-op, I can only believe it's for a reason.
Until then...
