In the thesaurus under “competition” it says, “Give a run for one’s money, try or test one another.” Both feel right; both feel like worthy endeavors. The challenge is to be one’s best. Those meanings call up images of the Olympics, any sport where athletes test each other and themselves, and spectators cheer, and even the competitors are well–spoken after the events as they acknowledge the winner who bested them—he/she was skiing very well, skating very well, playing tennis, racing, running, bobsledding… Then those who didn’t win usually speak about how and why they didn’t perform as well as they had hoped, maybe with a few specifics, and they then say, “It’s back to work to improve and grow for the next time.” It’s all about excellence, value, respect for effort and skill. These competitors share a basic respect for hard work, honor, and the pride of always reaching to better them-selves. It can be a thrill to watch our “best” display grace, fortitude, and resolve, even when they are not number one on that day.

In contrast, as the big money enters many competitions, corrupting as it grows, we feel so cheated, disappointed, and jaded. When we discover that some of those we admire are cheating, using steroids and “enhancers,” our disappointment is profound. Our gladiators lose their luster and become people who have lost the purpose of “competition with honor.” Whenever money becomes the only prize, things lose their luster. You may end up with more things, but they shine less brightly.

Happily, there are still many for whom the contest remains about skill, excellence, and mutual respect, and not about chemical advantage. We hold these competitors dear. Their presence in our world adds value to us all.

This is in contrast to the vulgarity that has been on display on Wall Street, the banks, and in much of the corporate world. It appears corporations are now exempted from the responsibility of individuals to live clean and play fair. CEOs and hedge fund managers making grotesque amounts of money while adding no value to the economy, society, and often their own companies.

It’s a crazy mixed-up world when God is replaced by the worship of money. Money–worship contaminates and destroys. It makes the soul shrink and dim the light we all carry within us. It casts a shadow on brotherhood and sisterhood and humanity. Something is dark and troubling in our collective psyche. We need to wake up! We need to ask ourselves how we can add value to our world, and then require it of those we elect to govern and those we do business with. We need to hold our selves and others to a higher standard like the Olympics-to play fair.

It is worth noting that the last explanatory entry in the thesaurus under “compete” is “cutthroat.” That’s a choice, too. Life will always present challenges and problems. How we go about meeting those challenges will determine their outcome and ours.

Oliver & Barbara