There Are Times When Second Place Is a Win

Have you ever played a game with someone whose sole focus was to win? It can be a joyless, unsatisfying and singularly unpleasant experience, especially if we were really looking forward to sharing some fun times and enjoying each other's company.

If our opponent is disinterested in anything other than winning we may even mentally walk away with a shrug and a resigned, 'you go for it, I'm not that bothered' mindset. Winning isn't always about coming first; indeed second place can be a win, sometimes offering a more rounded experience.

Let's reflect on those times when second place is a win:

- When you're less full on you can relax and enjoy the game, become immersed in the process of taking part, playing, participating. Being solely focused on beating everyone else can mean that there's little joy in the time spent together. It can make for a tense, stressful experience. A better time is had by all when everyone feels included, is able to relax and know that they're not going to be judged or criticised for doing their best, especially when it doesn't bring a win. I remember a time, years ago, when several of us decided to stop playing lunchtime rounders. The games had become so competitive, with team captains screaming orders, berating us if we didn't catch the ball!

- Less pressure means you're able to enjoy more comfortable relationships. Playing together, taking time to help each other, give advice and laugh at mistakes means you get to know each other in a more relaxed setting. You may be happy to help each other improve even though you're technically there to win, sharing tips on how they can perhaps even beat you! It's all in the furtherance of those friendships and afterwards you'll all feel the benefits of getting to know each other better.

- It's important to reasonably often find ourselves challenged and stimulated in a myriad of ways. Sometimes that can be quite stressful. And yet, there are also many ways where we can challenge ourselves without becoming stressed and aggressive, where we're not totally focused on the eventual outcome and whether or not we'll come first. But some stress is good for us and keeps us on our toes, encourages us to think outside the box helps us push ourselves further.

- Looking at ways of keeping a game or competitive event interesting can include many skills. Reading body language, noting how your opponent plays their hand and making discreet observations and decisions can make it a more fun experience when you practise these skills. With that in mind you could choose to vary your game, play your hand a little differently, experiment and challenge yourself, rather than simply powering on ahead with the sole aim of wiping out your opposition.

Of course there are times when we really do need to be driven, committed and intent on winning, those times when coming out on top is the only thing we have in mind, but there are plenty of other times when it's great to enjoy the game, have fun and share the experience with the others in the room. Sometimes you win far more than you lose by coming second.

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How to Appreciate the Little Things in Life

Many little things happen around in everyday life. Do you let them pass by or do you take time to appreciate? There is every reason you should value them and not ignore them. Why? Read on.

Here goes a few pointers that remind you of what little things in life are like:

1. Watch the sunset or sunrise and capture them in your smart phone.
2. Remember something your little daughter or granddaughter said that made you laugh.
3. Watch in awe the photo of puppies somebody posted on social media and write a comment or two about how you loved to see them.
4. Buy your friend and yourself cups of Starbucks coffee and drink and enjoy the view around from the balcony.
5. Share pictures of places you visited before you met your hubby with him and laugh, smile and reminisce.
6. Take your pair of roller skates and go ahead skate near about your home with your sibling laughing, enjoying and talking.
7. Accept warmly the present your best friend gives you on your birthday and treasure it because you may not be in the same place as her's for a long time.
8. Appreciate that your son enjoys collecting stamps as a hobby and encourage him all the way.
9. Appreciate the mansion your hubby has bought for you and family and give a hand delightfully to furnish and decorate it altogether.
10. Encourage your children and their families to go on a world cruise with you and your hubby and have the time of your life.
11. Record all the fun events at home and work in your journal and recall them five years from now. You really will feel good and blissful.
12. Give your niece a beautiful flower from your garden and help her tie it to her hair and capture a photo of you with her in front of the garden.
13. Give time to your little children one lazy afternoon and help them make various handicrafts out of colored paper and glue. Take snapshots of them and post them on social media, saying how great your weekend was.
14. Buy a family size pizza and pass it around. Put on music. Have fun.
15. If you have subscribed to any newsletter(s), appreciate when they send you free gifts or freebies that excite you and let them know so by writing a few lines as a "Thank You" note.

Summing up, the above are all examples of little things you can appreciate in daily life and remain happy. You can take snapshots or journal them as I have already mentioned in order to seize the moments. Now is the time to hold them dear because if you don't, you will regret them considerably much later and you will even think then they were big things - all out of pace, out of touch and difficult to remember. So take your time and get along with all the little things in life and value them close to your heart and be contented. Gotcha?

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