Winning or Losing

Last Friday before we had our faculty meeting, we had a simple game called "Samson and Delilah". We had a facilitator who explained the instructions and divided us into two. We formed apart and with the instructions of the facilitator we played to win. My group strategized and really plan out to win the game and luckily, we won the game by 5 - 0. Our group was very happy and proud, we laughed at our opponents for they don't even win any point. But other group was astonishingly laughing towards us too, with the same enthusiasm and gladness. Then the entire conference room was filled with a loud sound of laughing.

The facilitator congratulated our group, but really surprised us by saying that the winning team will be the one who will have a consequence and that was presenting a dance presentation in front unprepared. Without questioning, we danced in front but as we perform, all of the faculty were laughing and we ended up seeing that everyone enjoyed being with each other playing.

With this simple activity, I inquire to myself, why do we enjoy being in a game though practically can make us win or lose? the answer is very simple. What we thought of during the activity is neither winning nor losing,  we thought of the "game" itself. So whatever happens in the game is just part of a game and it does not define us from winning or losing.

Basically, in the game, some people have a thinking that i should win so i can prove something or  maybe get a prize, trophy or praise. This is the attitude of a polluted mind. This is unhealthy and destructive. A mind who thinks of winning is a mind who doesn't want to lose, fail or rejected. They are the people who have a lot of fears and push buttons intact in them. They are the people who would like to be above others.

On the other hand, It is clear to us that winning and losing become irrelevant because we had a feeling of belongingness or acceptance to the one we are playing with. When our opponent wins, then we are happy for they performed well, the same thing as when we win. Deep love is another reason, we respect each other as a person we care, and so seeing them win or lose does not really mean anything. Another thing is that we focus on the being than the happening, in other words, being a good player is far more important than being great in the game. The title or branding or praise is not important, the most important thing is that you enjoy being with each other as coworkers and friends.

_John Derson S. Herbolario
_Nosred

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