The Most Important Lesson I Have Ever Learned

The most important thing I have ever learned was how to lose. All of my childhood I had played on winning sports teams: I was always on the championship team, whether it be for recreational soccer, basketball, select softball. During my sophomore year of high school I was a part of the Washington State Softball Championship team. The joy I felt is indescribable. The next year we lost in the championship game. And the next year we lost again in the championship game. I had to realize it was a great feat getting to those games, especially since most everyone doubted we would even make it to state. I learned to lose graciously, and to get back in the game sooner. Learning to lose graciously also has taught me to take criticism and to be shut down. In the real world, beyond participation trophies and a pat on the back for effort, people get shut down. It is the ability to rebound from criticism that makes us great.