Friday, April 15, 2011

The Need To Win

I know I have not been posting a lot lately here. However, everyday I want to write here, I just don't make it. Days are busy with Matthew, and really feel bad when I have to let him play alone. Every day I think about things I can write here, but now they are just titles and notes in my notebook. I will, I will - just like in the book The Little Engine That Could - 'I think I can, I think I can'.

Let me share something I read recently in the The Way of Chuang Tzu by Thomas Merton, a little book I once picked up at the bookstore. I can also relate.

'When an archer is shooting for nothing
He has all his skill.
If he shoots for a brass buckle
He is already nervous.
If he shoots for a prize of gold
He goes blind
Or sees two targets - 
He is out of his mind!


His skill has not changed. But the prize
Divides him. He cares.
He thinks more of winning
Than of shooting -
And the need to win
Drains him of power.'

9 comments:

  1. Soo true! If you aren't concerned about the outcome, you perform the best.

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  2. I'm here just for a big hug for u:)
    Kisses...

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  3. ..His skill has not changed. But the prize
    Divides him. He cares.
    He thinks more of winning
    Than of shooting -
    And the need to win
    Drains him of power.'

    That's Right Anna..
    When a Person is greedy for something..
    He Lost by itself!!

    Thanks For good sharing.
    After a break I also here..
    Convey my Best regards to Little Matthew..
    With All Best Wishes..

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  4. Oh, I like this! Thanks for posting.

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  5. Finally.... I have become a follower so I don't keep missing these wonderful posts.
    I too once had small children so I understand the fact Mums are pulled in many directions.

    cheers, parsnip

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  6. OH MY GOODNESS! Some people, such as the author of this amazing insight, were born with wisdom and one wonders how they came to it...absolutely God given...and thank you so much for taking time out to share it with us. I feel the need to copy and post it on my facebook wall...do you suppose he would mind?
    hugs
    Sandi

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  7. Hey Anna,

    You did well to share this excerpt: yes, sometimes the need to win can be transformed into the want to win. The shooter thought he needed to win, but in fact he suffered from the want to win because he wants to get the gold (or whichever prize). But the question is: does he really need it? If yes, he'd get it despite the lack of skills; if no, he wouldn't despite the high skills...

    Thank you for helping me generating a new thought :D.

    I missed you too! Big hug to Baby Matthew and to you (of course)!

    Cheers

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And now lets hear your blobbing, lol!