Competition.

Let it be known: I don't play to win.

Weird huh? 'Cause why else would you do anything in the sporting world but to win it? Well, the fact of the matter is that I play sports of all types because: I like sports. I feel good when I play them and I like the exercise.

I feel, and it's probably not just me, that there are too many people in the world who care too much about whether they win or lose. I don't deny that it's necessary. Who wants to watch a team play that has no drive to win? That would be boring and pointless, oh yeah, and depressing. But it's more than that. I want to see people play a sport because it's what they love doing. If that's the case, then winning will come to these people. That seems to be the way it works.

I play for the moment. The big basket, the diving catch, the atmosphere of it all-I just love it. To me, winning is the icing on the cake of all that. I go to game nights to have fun, not to show everybody that I'm skillful. Give me some good healthy competition and I'm content with that. I don't need to win to feel good about myself.

Once upon a time I heard a guy say that he felt sick because he lost a game. I should mention that in the statistical, academic, and social realm, this game meant absolutely nothing. Absolutely nothing. Oh yeah, and we had already forfeited because we didn't have enough people to field a full team. So why does it even matter? I was in that game, and I admit, I was on the losing side, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the game. I was having fun. I made a tragic error halfway through the game and I just laughed at myself. I just can't make myself feel sick over nothing.

So I'm sorry for your health my friend. I sincerely hope you don't feel the same way when you lose a game of computer solitaire.

I just don't understand it. Go have fun and enjoy yourself. If you lose, then learn from your mistakes and go get 'em next time. But if winning defines you and your game then why are you even in it? Everybody loses. Michael Jordan lost a few big games too you know.

Who likes to lose? Not me. I do entertain the argument that without a winner there's little motive to play. I don't agree, but it does feel very good to win. I'm just saying there's more to the sports life than winning everything. I just can't make myself care that much.

I love the game for the game itself.

*butt slap*