But unfortunately, seeing as it is 10:56 on a Sunday night (roughly 2 hours, 4 minutes and 12 seconds before this assignment is due) - and teachers being placed on earth to make our lives very difficult indeed (as I have 3 tests in a row tomorrow, as well as 2 major assignments due) - I have been a BIT preoccupied. And I am not in any way insinuating that English is an unimportant subject. No.
In fact, English is my second favourite subject.
If I were aiming to create a literary work of art right now, I would probably say something funny (insert hilarious quip here) to grab your attention, and launch into a seemingly useless topic surrounding it.
But I am not creating a literary work of art and I am definitely not capable of thinking up a hilarious quip at this hour. So you're going to have to settle for this: (I am aware this is a rather long introduction, but I will not allow word constraints to hinder any scarcely found creative juices)
Why do people insist on being the best?
Why is it so important to be able to say "I win"?
Why does everything have to be a competition?
And don't deny it. If you don't like winning; you're not human.
As the saying goes: "from the mouthes of babes..." Kids are often painfully honest. Not always in being truthful in the typical way, but in being true to human nature. Do you remember being a kid, running around a playground or sitting on a swing with your mate and you say, "my big brother is 19."
Your friend is impressed. "Well," he says, "my big sister is 32, and she just finished grade 10 in university."
"Oh, sorry, I forgot," the other says. "My big brother is actually 50."
Is it that feeling of accomplishment you get?
Seeing the other person as possibly beneath you, being superior?
Whatever it is; it sucks.
Trying to be the best at everything every minute of every day is tiring. I for one am sick of it.
Sure, I welcome praise and admiration with open arms. But I won't go looking for it. Next time you ask someone how they did in a test, or how old their big brother is, say "Wow. That's really cool." Or if you're really feeling the love: "That's groovy," or, "you're out of this world!"
Because sure, the other person had a good test score. But you're a rad person.
I think we both know who wins here.
