What if, instead of seeing others as competitors, we viewed them as partners in a shared journey toward success? In a world where competition often feels like a zero-sum game, it’s easy to believe that someone else’s victory somehow overshadows our own potential. But what if I told you that this mindset could be the very thing holding us back? Be redeeming how we perceive competition and success, we can unlock a new way of thinking-one that celebrates collective achievement and allows us all to shine brighter together.
Competition can be empowering and motivational, but it’s a fine line to walk to maintain that positive balance. A pervasive belief seems to have surfaced too often that if we celebrate someone else’s success, it might somehow diminish our own light. What if I told you that this belief is not only flawed but could also be holding us back from experiencing true fulfillment and success?
Where we often go wrong is in allowing comparison to turn into competition, where someone else’s success feels like our failure. It’s easy to fall into this trap, thinking that if someone else is shining brightly, it somehow casts a shadow over us. But what if we shift our perspective? What if we see someone else’s success not as a threat to our own journey but as a beacon of possibility?
Take the parable of the bricklayer, for instance. My son’s architecture curriculum included many architecture history classes; he shared with me this parable. I have since learned that it’s a famous parable about the power of purpose; however, I had never heard it. Perhaps you have not either, so I want to share it with you. – A 19th-century architect, Christopher Wren, was observing three bricklayers one day and decided to ask each the same question, “What are you doing?”
The first bricklayer answered, “Ugh!, I’m laying bricks to make money to support my family,” in an exasperated tone because it was hot and tiring work.
The second guy said, “I’m building a wall,” with a little more energy.
The third shared, “I’m building the house of God,” in an enthusiastic tone. He felt like he was building a cathedral.
The difference lies in perspective. Similarly, if we could see others’ successes as opportunities rather than obstacles, we could transform how we experience our own lives.
Imagine a world where we celebrated each other’s accomplishments genuinely, without reservation. What if we understood that someone else’s light shining brightly does not diminish our own but rather illuminates new paths and opportunities for all of us? I firmly believe that our light actually shines brighter next to someone else’s.
Consider the Olympics, where athletes from around the world come together, not just to compete, but to inspire each other. Their collective achievements elevate the spirit of the games, creating moments of shared triumph that resonate far beyond the medals awarded. In that same spirit, what if we embraced collaboration over competition in our everyday lives?
I intentionally each year of my teaching career created a community of learners where I was definitely not the “sage on the stage.” I was simply one of the learners in a classroom full of people sharing their knowledge and talents. I truly believe I learned as much if not more as a teacher than I was able to help my students learn as I was fortunate to teach in an ESL (English as a Second Language) school where I was exposed to many cultures. So imagine a classroom of 25 learners, each one helping the other grasp a new concept. The success of one student doesn’t take away from the others; it creates an environment where everyone can thrive.
As we wrap up today’s reflection, I encourage you to think about your own experiences with competition and success. Have you ever felt hesitant to celebrate someone else’s achievements? Have you ever held back from supporting others because of fear or insecurity?
Let’s challenge ourselves to embrace a new paradigm—one where we celebrate each other’s successes wholeheartedly, knowing that by doing so, we create a brighter, more inclusive future for all. Together, let’s shine brighter, not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us.