Practice Didn't Make You Perfect

Really? Tell me I'm interpreting this wrong. Please. I'm running through Target with Capuchin, dashing from one department to another. Aisles are suggestions, the shortest route from a to b is a straight line. I'm navigating the boy's section headed for the registers when something catches my eye. A gray shirt with the words "Practice didn't make you perfect".

I didn't have time to sit there and dwell on how mad the shirt made me or search the other side to see if it had something redeeming like "You were born that way". I sure as hell hope it said something like that, but I seriously doubt it.

Has our society gotten so tacky and hateful that put downs need to be in print now? Not just in print, but displayed. Do we just not care anymore? It's us and them. WE rock, they suck. WE win, they lose. If we lose, they cheated because we're better than them.

What happened to courtesy and sportsmanship? It's not just sports, this can apply to the arts and academics. Anywhere with competition. What happened to being a gracious winner or being humble about your abilities?

I was told once that in Sumo wrestling traditionally there is no celebration when you win because it is disrespectful to put on a display in front of the other wrestler who has worked just as hard as you.

What happens here? We scream, shout, dance around, point at the person who failed and laugh, or tease the other person in a 'joking' way because we have to work together. It feels bad enough to lose a game, get second chair, not make it to the final round, not be picked for the solo or have your short story or artwork rejected. It feels far worse to have that fact screamed and shouted from the rooftops and be put down for failing.

This is a habit carried into adulthood. This attitude is absorbed by your children. When you tease and taunt the family member. *cough OU, OSU cough*

You won: "Your team sucks, We rock!"
You lost: "Your team bought the refs!"

When you bad mouth your coworkers because you are better than them.

You won: "I'm the only competent person there, of course I got the promotion."
You lost: "He's a brown noser. That's the only reason he got promoted."

Why not teach our children that you can't always win or be chosen.

Both winner and loser: "That was a great game, can't wait till next year!"

Winner: "I think he would have been good in this position too. They probably chose me because I have seniority/have this new idea/whatever."
Loser: "I get more sales than him so they probably don't want me to spend my days dealing with department paperwork when I could be making them money. He also gets along with everyone in the department."

Sometimes the day belongs to other people, it doesn't mean you failed. It often means you tried harder than you've ever tried, it just means today wasn't your day. When you win remember what it feels like to lose and sympathize, recognize the hard work they have put into the goal they have not yet reached.

What's wrong with looking at what we have in common with people instead of disparaging the things that are different?