Winners and Losers

So...London had the last laugh and won the Olympics bid for 2012.

While elation, celebration and jubilation filled the air in the British camp, the atmosphere couldn't be more starkly contrasted over at the French side- one of gloomy silence and painful defeat.

Much as I had hoped London would win , for its vibrancy, diversity and splendour, sympathies goes to the Parisians. The sense and dismay of loss is not an unfamiliar one.

Winning and losing.
One of the most common, recurrent themes in life.
In sporting events, screen awards, reality shows like American Idol
On a more personal level: in academic developments, relationships and job progressions.

No one likes to lose. To be defeated.
After all the investments and efforts that have been devoted to the cause.
After all the speculation that one will 'win'. By default. Just because one is the forerunner.
After all hopes and votes of confidence are pinned on one. Especially after being the hot favourite.
The stress of living up to it all.
The pressure that has to be handled.
The expectations to be fulfilled.

Yet, everyone who is not personally involved or emotionally invested in the game, silently favours the idea of a dark horse. The idea of a pleasant surprise- is a welcoming idea.So long as one is a bystander, it's an exciting show. The jolt of thrill in an otherwise boring awards presentation. The twist in the plot. The drama. The shocked disbelief on the winner's face and brave smile that the losers' have to force upon him/herself

It's tough to accept defeat/rejection, even when the limelight evades and the initial frenzy subsides

The feelings of having let down supporters
The shattered confidence
The gloom and doom
The many questions that probably won't be answered- of what one did wrongly? The if onlys.
It's hard to swallow the pride.
Much easier to just slump into dejectedness. Give up. Not compete again. Wallow in self-pity

Nobody likes to concede defeat. But yet, in any situation, there can be many losers but only one 'winner'. The odds are so much higher that one would be a 'loser'- not just once, but many times in life. Afterall, the probability that it would occur is higher. So shouldn't more effort be put into arming oneself with the skills and attitude to manage failures, to emerge stronger?

It's cliche but truly, personal experiences and that of many friends around have proved true-
That time would wash away what feels like the humiliation and embarrassment associated with defeat.
That the time taken to reflect, pray and improve are much more rewarding
The humbleness in defeat will do one much good in keeping one level-headed and gracious.

Life don't unravel itself in one straight track- winners may not necessarily attain the best nor do losers get stuck with the worst loots.

And...when victory finally comes- nope, it won't come soon, it won't come easy, but when it finally does...it would be so much sweeter having been accustomed to the bitter taste of defeat.

P.S: This is for you, E, 'textbooky' as it may sound. For myself too, as a reminder. Dun be disheartened and will be praying for you.