Non-Compete Claus I have had the concept of competition on my mind lately and thought I would write about it. Then I thought, no, this is last column before Christmas so I need to write about that. Then I looked up the definition of “compete” and decided the concept definitely fits with the Christmas season.
My basic line of thought about competition is that I am not a naturally competitive person and am really glad to be that way. Now, I understand there are people who are naturally competitive and are glad they are, and I think it is a good thing there are people like that. I can see where competition and rivalry bring along a lot of physical and psychic energy that often yields very positive results such as innovation and excellence.
I have two “beefs” with competition. First, I find competition to be joy-stealing and anxietyproducing for me, personally. I am referring strictly to competing with others. I often compete with myself to do something better or faster than I have done in the past and enjoy the boost I derive from that. But competing against others seems like a waste of energy to me, so I try not to let myself get dragged into such things. Second, competition seems to make lots of people behave badly. For one, competitive people are often really judgmental about noncompetitive people. I have my theories as to why, but those are best kept in my head. Third, unpleasant things like jealousy, trash-talking, and cheating go right along with competition. This may not bother you, but those are things my peaceable spirit likes to steer right around.
What does this have to do with Christmas? We compete to outdo the neighbors on how our house is decorated. We compete with other people on who gives the best or most expensive gifts. We feel competitive over who goes to whose house for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We compete for which side of the family’s traditions are going to be observed and carried on by offspring. We set up little contests and rivalries left and right around the entire holiday season.
Somebody told me a story the other day where Person 1 has a “secret competition” going on with Person 2 (it’s secret because Person 2 is not aware that she is in a competition) that started thirty years ago over who makes better scrambled eggs. Person 2 goes happily on with life while Person 1 stews constantly over the one-sided rivalry. That sounds miserable to me.
When it comes to the entire Christmas Season, and it is a season in my mind that starts right after Thanksgiving and ends on Epiphany, I am a “Peace on earth, goodwill to men” type. Right now I am competing with myself to get some handmade gifts done in time for our “Ranch Christmas,” but that is just about all the rivalry and competitiveness I will allow during this special season.
I hope you and your friends and family have a very peaceful and joyful Christmas season. SpringCreekArtsGuild@gmail. com