Tuesday, May 24, 2016

WINNING and LOSING

Or—
Now, be Nice

In this election cycle, the word “win” and “lose” are ubiquitous. One of the candidates, in particular, is fond of framing the world in those terms.

This got me thinking about what feels like winning or losing to me.

In worldly terms it’s only a bit complicated. The only distinction that seems to require discernment has to do with relationships vs. material gains, and which brings the greater sense of achievement. Steve Jobs, nearing the end of his life, said this:

I have come to the pinnacle of success in business.
In the eyes of others, my life has been the symbol of success.
However, apart from work, I have little joy. Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed.from work, I have little joy. Finally my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed.
Please treasure your family love, love for your spouse, love for your friends...
Treat everyone well and stay friendly with your neighbours.
Please treasure your family love, love for your spouse, love for your friends…
Treat everyone well, and stay friendly with your neighbors.

At the end of his life, Aldous Huxley imparted this simple wisdom:
We should be nicer to one another.”

That does not take away the wish to win worldly prizes. But it puts it in some perspective.

It’s also empowering to sense that I can be a winner by my own choices, and what I can control.

Like I say to my cats when they swat at each other, “be nice.”
~NICE IS NO VICE~


7 comments:

Evelyn said...

Well said, dear Mirka. And you are one of the best at being nice to others. ((Hugs))

Anonymous said...

Aw, I just love those pics.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

How interesting that Steve Jobs said outside of work he had little joy. All the money and success in the world, yet there it is. Too often we focus on the wrong things, thinking that's where joy lies. It's always good to step back and reflect on if we are really headed where we want to be.

Kelly Hashway said...

Very well said, Mirka. Love the kitties. :)

Yanting Gueh said...

Love this post, Mirka. :) Work hard. Be kind. That's all. (Maybe I should switch them around: Be kind. Work hard. That's all.)

Anonymous said...

Well said. In the end I think any regrets we have will relate to our interactions with other people, not with how much or little we accomplished.

janlcoates said...

Life really is all about being connected, having people around who really get you, family, friends or colleagues. That Jobs quote is so sad:(