What is a winner?
Now that the blog contest is over and I came 2nd, it’s time to reflect on what I’ve learned about myself. I didn’t enter this competition to win; I entered it for fun and also in an effort to spread the message of breast cancer awareness to a wider audience.
So what did I learn? I have learned that I am more competitive than I realised, and perhaps I am too attached to the outcome. I need to learn a little more detachment. But I also learned what wonderful support I have out there not just from old friends, but from new friends I have made online. I felt such a great outpouring of support, that as my friend Cathy said in an email to me today, “you are already a winner”.
What is a winner anyway? The dictionary defines it as someone who succeeds at a venture or competition. But I think that is too narrow a definition of winning, don’t you? I believe that if you walk away from any experience having learned something new about yourself or gained some new knowledge, are proud of what you have accomplished, then you are a winner.
As cancer survivors, we often hear that someone is “winning the fight against cancer”, or its opposite” losing” that fight. But we are all winners. I don’t mean in the sense that we haven’t “lost” our battle with cancer – once again that is too narrow a definition – but because we give our all to the fight, we fight bravely, we inspire each other, we support each other. We truly are winners in how we deal with our lives with cancer.
So does this mean that I am saying we should just accept losing at times and not try to be the best that we can be? Not at all. Learning to strive, to win, to achieve your dreams can only be achieved by trying to win. I feel this even more keenly since cancer. I am more motivated to give everything I do in life my total commitment and effort. The tragedy of life is not dying; but in dying each day slowly, bit by bit, because we have not lived the life we wanted to live.
What do you think? How do you define winning? What have you learned about how to win at the game of life? Please share your thoughts here. And once again, thank you so much to you all for your support and for helping me feel like a winner today.
Hi Marie
Congrats and well done in coming 2nd. I have read your blog and now I know Im definitely your newest fan. You have often mentioned to me about blogging but today I am paying attention. I am always saying Im too busy so Im going to start with reading your blog.
Marie thanks for your very nice comment in your email. Im so happy doing the work I do – I just love helping other people and I am so glad our paths crossed. I often think of your words of wisdom too.
Thanks for offering to help that girl. She is my daughters best friend sister. She was diagnosed with Lymphoma a week ago – I dont know her well but I just cant get her out of my mind. Im definitely going to tell her to read your blogs plus your offer to help her. Im just waiting on my daughter to give me her email address.
I know I have said this before but Im so excited for you Marie xxxx
Love and Light
Patricia
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Since my definition of success includes making the world a better place, you’ve definitely carved out a big hunk of success!
I’ve found your blog to be encouraging, informative, educational, all in a very nurturing way.
Strong work!!
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Hi Debbi, I appreciate so much that you took the time to comment on my blog – your encouragment and kindess lifts my spirits. Thank you x
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Congratulations on taking part and performing well. I think taking part with sincere effort is to be lauded. Over the years I have always encouraged my children to take part in lots of things. I have found they learned more from the times they didn’t win, rather than from the times they did. Striving to win is good for upping performance, but I honestly believe, kids, adults need to both win and lose. Both are important for rounded individuals. I think Kipling had a good sense of balance in the poem ‘If’.
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You are so right Lily and you are teaching your children a wonderful lesson for life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
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Yes – just to endorse what everyone else has said – you were a winner from the start – great blog!
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Let me add my voice here too – you are a winner in my books too!
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ah too bad you didn’t win – but you should be very proud of yourself – 2nd out of 100 entries!
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Congratulations on how well you did do! Well deserved finalist!
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I just had to let you know what an inspiration you and your blog are to me. I am a cancer survivor too and I finished my treatment 6 months ago. A lot of what you write about has helped me feel less alone. Thank you for all you do and keep up the good work. COngratulations on coming up to your 5 year anniverserary too!
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Your blog is totally terrific – I read it every day and I look fwd to reading what you write,. Well done on becoming a finalist in the competition! Well deserved!
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I voted for you!
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At the risk of repeating everyone else you ARE a winner – you inspire so many people with your blog and as a person.
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ok I am biased everone – I am a friend here and I happen to know what an amazing person Marie really is – she is totally commited and dedicated to helping others on the cancer journey. She is a great friend and a very special person, so yes, she really truly is a winner in every sense of the word and those of us who are her friends are lucky to know her 🙂
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Are you getting the message here??? You are loved and you are a winner in all our books- you don’t need no contest to tell you that!!
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You should be so proud of yourself. I have been following your blog since the earliest days and watching those stats climb up and up – you are reaching so many people with your message of hope and love.
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Thank you all for your kind comments 🙂 I appreciate your support so much!
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