Whingers and winners
Sometimes we win. If we don’t, the whinging starts.
When our actions are called into question, there are only two identifiable responses available to us. A winner is not dependent on the score or the outcome of the game, the colour of the medal or the time achieved. The winner is positive, the whinger is negative.
The whinger is easily identified. The opening line is something like, ‘I don’t believe this is possible!’ or ‘Can you believe this happened to me?’ The underlying question seeks a justification of actions or a sympathetic response from the audience.
Why do some blame the world, you, the opposition, the weather, their health, the alignment of the stars or the government for their actions or lack thereof?
The whinger wants — expects — you to agree, listen or entertain for a fleeting second their situation or its explanation. Is it my fault you, the whinger, have done or not done something whose consequences you now wish to offload on me? The whinger chose what to do, say or play. The outcome was not what they had hoped. Now the entire population of the world must suffer. Snap out of it sister, you are not so precious that such disasters should be broadcast on the BBC World News or even in the local gay press.
Charlie Brown, stating the obvious to Linus, said, “You learn more from losing than you do from winning! And that makes me the smartest person in the world!”
Save us from the whinger in their charter to offload, with the style of a Darlinghurst drama queen, their poor judgement, bad decisions, aggressive behaviour, breaches of rules, and anti-social, aggressive or illegal actions.
A true winner accepts the situation — win, lose or draw. This doesn’t mean winners like this feeling. Some become philosophical. Team strategies, player performance, playing surface, unforced errors throughout the event are examined. Coaches are sacked, equipment or training sessions reviewed. The debrief aims to better participants, not burden others.
There are very few people who willingly and purposefully set out to destroy, discriminate or have no redeeming justification for their actions.
The call is out to all — win, succeed and enjoy life more. Whinge and expect to be put out to pasture — by your team, club, community and eventually your friends and family. Reality may take 20 years to set in, but when it does, the severing of ties is often final and irreversible.
How can you guard against becoming a whinger? Get involved! This way you positively influence outcomes. Contact Team Sydney vlubs via the website: www.teamsydney.org.au
