Limits at Stake

Humanity demonstrates a natural impulse to expand their limits. In the arenas of life, something always seems to be at stake.

Since ancient times, men put themselves to the test, either confronting each other or Nature – it is a constant struggle. Whenever people feel threatened, they attack and defend their territory, food, resources, physical integrity. The instinct of life maintenance manifests itself. In order to survive, it was necessary to overcome limits both of their supposed enemies and their own.

Even when only motivated by the need for survival, the search for something else has always generated evolution. Whether in the social, scientific, spiritual fields or even the physical body of human beings.

Over the generations, man has realized the possibility of measuring and overcoming his physical limits in a milder, but still evolutionary way. The same need for expansion continued and various sports competitions and games appeared in the most varied forms.

And in competitions, the overcoming and search for something beyond are easily identifiable. As in the arenas of life, in them are the opponents and records to be beaten. And laurels to the victors!

Winners are exalted and they themselves become a goal, a limit, someone to be surpassed. The recognized winner becomes the stimulus to others. An example to be followed. The level desired by all.

In the apparent defeats of a scoreboard, something to be expanded may always be hidden. What was hidden comes to the fore. And, when emerging, great opportunities appear: correct yourself, improve yourself.

And, all of a sudden, the current viewpoint can be reversed: competition seems to be a constant cooperation between everyone. When competing, the level of the competitors is raised. If everyone rises, which side would be the winner? From this angle, everyone seems to win.

So, is it only important to compete or also to strive for victory? The victory is a great stimulus. It’s the objective. Everyone can work to achieve it.

What may not be necessary is to feel defeated by not having been placed first. In order to evolve, at this moment, an assessment can be made: “Did I give everything I had, from preparation to when I was in the arena?”

Those who give everything they have can consider themselves a winner when they have taken advantage of all their knowledge and virtues. Not enough for first place? Good, there’s an example to follow: that of first place. If you want, you can also recognize the victor’s virtue, effort, intelligence, courage.

To reach the great objective, the one in first place was also pushed to reach the limit by their supposed opponent. Or even to go beyond, finding now a new, bigger horizon. The would-be opponent also has virtues, and many. If you want, the winner can even thank them, they deserve recognition.

Once there, the winner has acquired a responsibility that may not be to remain eternally at the top of the podium. They can choose to teach others, to leave a legacy, a path to follow. No longer living on past glories and even, one day, discovering the pleasure of providing others who also experience moments like the ones they lived.