Article March 9, 1981 Issue

The value of athletic competition

MARK WILLIAM HENDRICKSON

When you think about the word "competition," do you picture two individuals or teams engaged in a furious struggle? Many people seem to think of it as such these days—and sometimes even with a touch of viciousness as good sportsmanship surrenders to a powerful drive to win.

The word "compete" is derived from the Latin com, together, and petere, to seek. Aren't we and our opponents in a sense "seeking together" to express our abilities as fully as possible? Seen in this light, competition is one way to express our native God-given skills.

The heart often provides a better yardstick of success in competition than a final score. Numbers don't always tell the true story. Which is the true victory: winning 5-4 in a sloppily played game against a weak team, or losing 5-4 in a well-played game against one of the best teams around? The deepest satisfaction should come from a greater demonstration of competence—more of the alertness that comes from Mind, the joyful cooperation derived from Love, the consistency of Principle.

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