Mindfulness Mondays 47: Don’t compete
April 19, 2010 by dr. lam
Wait a second, don’t compete? But isn’t that the principle that we Americans were founded upon, good old fashion capitalism at work? Well, perhaps. However, competition naturally brings into play ego, separation, anxiety, and enmity. Instead, we can reframe how we see things as continual desire to be your very best not out of ego but out of passion for what you do and wanting it to be your best and compassion for the person on the receiving end that you want them to receive the very best from you. Since “it is all invented” according to Zander, let’s invent a new way of seeing how we can improve ourselves, our families, our kids, our community, our jobs, everything. Leaving ego, we enter into a state of passion and compassion that should drive us more than anything else. We can leave competition in the dust.
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Leave competition, vs. leave the competition. Excellent.
Great thoughts to begin the week.
Have a great week everyone.
thanks nord!!!!
I LOVE this blog! I love it when you change our perspectives on things, Dr. Lam!
Awesome! A few weeks ago I recall I was talking with my sister, Holly, about rather being competitive was immature in nature, because competiveness revolves around ego, as you mentioned, Dr. Lam. Anyhow, we figured that perhaps even if it was immature, the motivation it creates might be a good thing, but I really like how you proposed a way to rise above the ego with the same outcome. Nice! I love the “it is all invented” concept! Anyhow, I was thinking about what motivates Olympians, that it may not necessarily be competition as the motivation but the prize, which is the outcome. Just thoughts…
Thanks!
much appreciated heather!
I like this one. My oldest child is very non-competitive. She like swimming, but when she performed in her first swim meet. She decided that she didn’t want to do that ever again. Same thing in regard to piano recitals. She feels like it’s too much like a competition. She would rather just practice and play for love of it and the fun of it, rather than to show off how good she is. The teachers push it, but I never made it a requirement. I guess that she was on to something at a really early age, right Sam?