Competition.
Itâs like breathing, eating, or talking. Itâs part of our natural makeup. We were born with the instinct to compete.
We always face the choice of competing in a friendly, positive way with siblings, relatives, friends, co-workers, or neighbors. This enhances relationships, which are the most important things in our lives. Or, we can choose to compete too hard and generate hostility, conflict, and misunderstanding. Life is all about balancing these instincts.
Being a sportswriter for many years, I have observed competition and seen the worst and best of it. I have tried to deal with the father who sees Little League Baseball as a personal playground for his son or daughter. And I have seen a high school football team rally from defeat, adversity, and confusion to a state championship in one season. I have seen how competition gives young people life skills and provides enjoyment and satisfaction to seniors.
I have seen how competition can teach us how to cooperate and collaborate for a common cause, and how it sometimes tears us apart if we misuse it. Competition teaches us how to get along with each other, about teammates and teamwork, and the most physically challenging competition teaches us about fitness, the limits of our bodies, good health, and long, happy lives.
The secret to all this is a question. Ask yourself, Do I like competing with others, at a card table or softball diamond, to stay fit and see how skilled I can become? Or do I want to participate in an activity that interests me? Either way, your body, mind, and heart will benefit.
At Sun City, have you ever thought about how many of the âactivitiesâ you came here for are competitive in nature? If youâre in such an activity, you know how much it benefits you, your body, and your attitude toward life. If youâre not, I encourage you to get involved. If you donât like or canât participate in challenging sports, try card games or mahjongg (Chinese game of tiles on a board) or chess or the cue club (where hand-eye coordination without back pain is fun). If youâre a bit macho, try softball, tennis, or bowling. Or, on a less challenging scale, pickleball.
There are 44 charter groups and 35 special interest groups listed in the Lifestyles Magazine. Nearly half of them offer competition as the fundamental part of their activities. Others, like the Prairie Singers, Theater Company, Sun City Squares, Singles, Garden Club, Model Railroad Club, Sew âN Sews, Woodchucks, Historians, Investors, disease support groups, religious groups, offer participation in a specialized activity and a lot of socializing, at which all Sun Citians are experts, of course.
If itâs a multi-faceted challenge you like, try golf (you against the course, or your patience, or a little white ball) or bowling (you against the pins with a much bigger ball) or tennis (you against the racquet, a little yellow ball, and the net). If you like the water, the Stingrays offer masterâs meets for âcompetitiveâ swimmers and laps for those who just want exercise.
Ever think about how often doctors tell us to exercise, stretch, walk, or just plain move around after surgery or treatments? Ever notice how therapy is simply your body and mind âteaming upâ for good health?
Softball is the most physically demanding and chess is probably the most mentally challenging activities around here. Sun City has everything in between.
I guess this is my version of the Del Webb theme: âRetire from work, not life.â For most of us active adults, that rocking chair on the patio is only for occasional use.
