Society often embraces the perception that, “Second place is the first loser.” The glitz and glamour of the Olympics are merely days away in which the athletes of their respective nations and sports will be showcased for the world to watch. The culmination of their self-denial and sweat, their rigorous regimes, and their countless hours of hard work will show its worth in one moment. One moment in history will either script their legacy or solidify their loss. One moment will determine their destiny, and as a result many will unfortunately define themselves by it.
In a perfect world, the winning athlete would not only be the most talented but the one who works the hardest. Reality though has an uncanny way of humbling one’s history. One misstep, one fall, one miscue and he or she can go from first to worst—in the blink of an eye. The Bible notes this unfortunate truth in Ecclesiastes, “The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle…but time and chance happen to them all.” So too in life, the individual most qualified doesn’t always get the job offer, the scholarship isn’t always awarded to the most deserving, and the hardest workers aren’t always the most compensated accordingly.
The true value of the ultimate treasure—regardless if it’s a gold medal or a prized scholarship—is not in the end result. Rather, the true treasure is in the toil, turmoil, and lessons learned along the way; it’s this substance that shapes one’s character. Enjoy the moment.