Thanks for all the wisdom, WOW. I am not alone on this one.
I apologized to the young man. We had a great chat. I did not care to nor did I inflict what I think of competition. Bill Russell, the All-World Celtic Champion, said in "Second Wind" very much what conflag. said. He threw up before every game he played, he wanted to win so bad. But when he retired he said that against the Lakers (Wilt, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor) the players were so great, the level of skill so profound, that it became art. He, the great winner, actually go miffed off when a competitor missed a shot or lowered the high level of acuity.
For me, relationship is more important than winning. If there is any worth in competition at any level, it, for me, is that another brings out the best in me. My teachers say this is the "good enemy" - Jungian's call it the sparring partner of life, or the holy grist.
Love to you all.
So great to have a place to go with it.
After I posted, being bipolar, i looked at a hyperkenetic week as part of my less-than-well-thought comment to the young man. But I spoke to him as a man, apologized, and thanked him for alerting me that my condition needed tending.
Those new to my posts won't know this is a HUGE self-care improvement for me (read any former psychotic post from 2001-2004 at the Writer's Bookshelf et all).
Good thing, Spirit is not finished with me. And I have beautiful friends, sisters, teachers from this cafe who are not afraid to nudge me back on path, or even get in my face (blackearth, my teacher, says she can quite easily give me a swift, astral slap on the top of my noggin), when and if I slip away from an inquiry to a higher self, and slide back into nonsense.
Wow, what support. I need this accountability like air, water.
So Sam and I play. I teased him today that I would destroy his Magic elf deck (his favorite) and file away his elves' pointy ears ... and he, as I knew he would, beat me cold.
In the night, two meditations, came to me. One from the past.
"Of course, Dale, mercy is always preferred. But when you can't quite reach for mercy, settle for humor."
"Tease is actually compassion with a h*rd-on." (Please forgive slight bawdiness)
Love to all,
Beau
