November in Australia, particularly this year, is a time for races. We had the Melbourne Cup with the amazing win from back in the field of 'Efficient'.
Quote of the month would have to go to assistant trainer John Sadler, on how Efficient celebrated after his Melbourne Cup win.
'Last night we went down to give him a pat, he just snarled at us and said 'piss off and let me eat. He has got an attitude, he thinks he's good.'
I suppose he could be excused for having 'attitude' after coming first in the five million dollar race.
Prime Minister, John Howard, could well take heart from the Melbourne Cup, seeing as he is currently in the back of the field also. While Rudd and Howard battle it out for Australia's top job in the electorate, on the airwaves, and on the Internet, ordinary Australians go about their daily work. Will they consider carefully when they vote, will they pick the person who has the best image at the time, or will they choose the one who appears to promise the most for them personally - the WIFM concept - What's In It For Me?
What has all this to do with energy?
My wise mother used to say, 'Comparisons are odious'. (http://www.theenergybook.com/energy_tips_from_mother.htm)
But does this also mean that 'Competition is odious'? Or does competition create energy?
In this political competition, we can see that each party is having to sharpen their pencils and come up with better and stronger policies to get ahead in the race. Whether or not the policies are implemented remains to be seen, but the democratic system is at work when opposition creates better government.
I was once involved in politics, and I found it stimulating at the time, until I perceived the full truth of the dirty tricks that go on behind the scenes. But I 'won't go there' as the saying goes.
Sport and games are all about competition and many find these very energizing.
The anatomy of a game is:
The anatomy of a game is:
- Goals
- Barriers
- Purposes (LRH)
Without any of these there is no game, and that means without obstacles there isn't a game either. Challenges, problems - whatever you want to call them - are the stuff from which growth and greatness are made. It is rewarding to overcome an obstacle and get to the next level, personally, in business, work or life.
Of course the other type of competition is against oneself. We can always try to do our best at everything - and often we are our own worst critics. The yardstick by which we measure ourselves often derives from others in our past, or the imagined expectations of others.
What is the answer? How can we use competition - the 'race' of life to be energized.
A few simple things:
As Don Miguel Ruiz says in 'The Four Agreements': Always Do Your Best - and this is going to change from moment to moment.
- Be true to yourself and compete only when you choose to. Don't allow others to coerce or force you into a competition that you don't wish to be part of.
- Recognise that it is a game, and enjoy playing it
- If you cease to have fun - leave the game. Life is to be enjoyed, not endured.
By the time I write the next post, we may know who has won the race to be Australia's next Prime Minister - and I pray it will be for the good of the country.
I wish you joy in your personal race, and pleasure in the game of life every day.
I wish you joy in your personal race, and pleasure in the game of life every day.
Joan Small empowers people to make positive changes in their lives. If you want to discover more Natural Energy Boosters and lead an energized life, obtain your copy of ‘The Energy Book for Life’, the Guide to Energetic Living, Visit http://www.natural-energy-boosters.com/
Joan is also the author of the book series, ‘Allow Yourself… You Deserve It’, How to Free Yourself from Stress and Control and Live with Fun and Love. http://www.joansmall.com/
