As the 2024 Summer Olympics kick off in Paris this week, you will witness an incredible display of athleticism, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and sometimes ugly ego. Most athletes stand, clap for, or offer handshakes to every one of their competitors. Others grit their teeth and head straight for the locker rooms, especially after a defeat.
Even with good sportsmanship, sometimes it’s just a show for the cameras. Sadness is normal, but there might be seething anger and bitterness under the surface that we don’t always get to see.
One of the most enjoyable outpourings of a truly humble heart is being able to cheer others on in their progress or success and actually mean it. You read that right – it’s not only possible but fun to celebrate when someone else wins and you don’t!
Growing up playing trumpet since fourth grade, I used to get really anxious prior to concerts, and really depressed if I didn’t perform well. My dad was my primary trumpet instructor and my high school band director, so we spent a lot of musical time together. I still remember to this day a simple phrase he used to tell me when I didn’t play well, and it’s the same thing he told me when I was just a tyke playing little league baseball: “Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains.”
His point was this: winning and losing isn’t always in our control, just like the rain is not in our control. When the game is rained out, or the concert doesn’t go as planned – you can easily tell who the real winners and losers are by how they respond. The winners are always the most humble, doing their best to lift their teammates and competitors up no matter the outcome.
Rather than worrying about their perceived failure or how they look to others, they stand up and celebrate. They are grateful and gracious. They acknowledge what happened, ask for help if they need it, and move on.
Celebrating others in their success can be hard and does not always come naturally. It takes practice, especially if you’re feeling down about your situation. But you just might find your practice of this humility brightens your mood, and improves your mental health!
If you or someone you know need support, please know The Willow Center is here for you.
Written by Chase Cotten, Community Director
