You know what is one of the most refreshing things in life? Someone who is honest.
Last night we had a youth activity and I was talking with a girl who is on the high school track team. She is trying events she has never tried before and is competing in four events; the long jump, high jump, 100 yard dash and 100 yard hurdles. I asked her how the track season was going and she enthusiastically said that she was last in every event! I tried to console her by telling her that I didn't care how she compared with other people. I said, "I bet you have improved your individual times," at which point she said that she hasn't, surprisingly. Oh geez--can I not say anything right? The first time she ran the 100 yard dash she did better than the second time because the day of the second track meet was very windy. She cannot say she has improved on the high jump because she can never get over the basic, low-level, first bar.
"Well," I said, "the important thing is that you are having fun!" And she said she was.
Some people, including adults, have to be the best at everything, or say they are the best, or they have a hard time admitting they are having trouble with something. I loved her honesty in explaining the track-team situation just as it was. I admire her for sticking with it, for trying things she has never tried before, for smiling and trying and being last.
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