Winning

We all play games. A lot of us participate in sports, competitively, and otherwise. Most of us want to be at least competent at what we do. But. Winning is the siren's call.  It's hard to reject its sultry song.

By listening to this call, we forget about what is truly important. Do we love what we are doing, or, do we just participate because we excel? It's a question all athletes need to ask themselves. Constantly. 

I swim. I excel at it. But. At this stage in my life, I win by simply showing up. Period. In my age group the competition is quickly dissipating. The thrill is gone. I will continue to compete occasionally, but I get no joy out of swimming in a herd. I will occasionally compete in The Coastal Crawl. I will probably enter Chicago's Big Shoulders swim. But. I will do it for the experience of swimming in waters that I love. Winning? Meh.

My biggest joy comes from swimming in beautiful waters, alone with my thoughts, and the occasional camaraderie of another swimmer or kayaker.  The sunrises, the sunsets. The waters. Calm, or rough. There is a great freedom that comes with this. And there is the knowledge that I am truly swimming for the love of the experience. 

That is all.