The Way of the Sport

What can and can’t one do in the name of survival in order to ensure that they are successful in their goal while maintaining their ethical composure that they inevitably have? Survival of the fittest they say, but what good can a stronger being do to another that has set up traps along the brush that, without the slightest cognizant thought, will plummet the goliath to his doom? On the other hand, if a trap fails

the more feeble bodied, who is he to escape the savagery of the brute?

Since the dawn of man, competition has descent through the inner cogs of our minds compilation of thought. To think is to live they say, but as not only history, but modern life has taught us, living is only successfully achieved through thinking relevantly. In the times of hunter-gatherers, the ones who’s head in the clouds were, for the most part, the compunctious fools who hadn’t made it far. The level minded,

attributed man survived. When the worker had grown sick of some disease, the medicine man, being afraid of the man who has constantly stolen his food, lets him suffer for his personal faults.

This sample of Social Darwinism has proved that neither brains nor bronze overpower one another, but that together, a better, more evolved man may be produced in future generations. The nature of Humanity, concrete, it is not, for as time has proven, the sense of reality is anything but static. With that said though, it is also agreeable that humanity in general is not as unique as one might think. We all, in vague retrospect, want the same things. Peace, love, happiness, give grief to those we feel have

wronged us, help those we feel need it, provide our loved ones with safety and security, and much more. So as much as things change, some always remain the same.

The instinct of competition is one of those eternally embedded drives that we seem to possess. It is a fundamental ingredient to ourselves, though the methods might shift in our altering course of existence, we will always find our way into competing, whether for a physical prize, luxury, right, recognition, righteous passage, or for the most basic theme of survival. Some may think that we as humans have “progressed” as a society that competition is the way of the past, barbaric, coarse, and uncivilized. To progress is to become closer with a final result, and whatever one's beliefs might be, alone,

we will hardly change in our enigmatic ways. Peace and wealth for everyone is but a fools dream, at least in this world, and to make it by in life, we must compete for even our most basic wants and needs.

Now this isn’t an economic lecture, but do take in mind that even communism, theoretically, is

completely devoid of such competition, but as humanity has presented us, theory only goes so far. No matter the nation, no matter the society, no matter the family, no matter the person, we will have a sense of competition burrowing itself within the lobes of our brains, itching for us to do what we need to have what we want to achieve. In the theory of perfect capitalism, which is just as much a failure as communism in real practice, humanity would also be wronged for the fellow seeds of morality and ethics shall push alongside the competitor to fulfill a personal act of laudable proportions.

As we can now establish that competition is fundamental, yet not dominating in the character of man, it is distinguishable that it is healthy to compete, but that we must also have a conscious in doing so. Also, to compete is not only to be the smartest or strongest, but to possess both traits in the widest parameter as one can get. Of course, depending on the task at hand, the weight scale might have to tip to one way or the other to achieve the specified goal, thus introducing the potential of cooperation. 2 heads are better than one, aren’t they?

Cooperation, another fundamental instinct of man, creeps its way to conjoin its fellow competitor and moral seed of the brain to find a rational plan of action to set forth. It is with this cooperation that, not in all cases, we can exemplify our mental goals in a more fitting fashion. We find the way to incorporate several minds and bodies into one so that not only is the task more efficiently executed, but that a social connection of loyalty may emerge. And with this loyalty comes an opposing instinct of generosity towards those you feel deserve your helping hand. Where one may lack, another provides, and maybe even conjoin one another’s knowledge and strengths to better the other in a synchronistic fashion.

It’s quite funny how a trait such as competition, a trait that carries more of a negative

connotation with it, also brings along a multitude of other traits, some carrying more of a positive connotation on their backs. It is simply human. It is the way of the Sport.

Sports embody all these virtuous traits, be it negative or positive to one’s personal definition, in a way that gives varying methods and tact as to give the Athlete, any human being for that matter, a choice as to what he or she finds most fitting for themselves. The Athlete does not necessarily mean the stereotypical jock pop culture has pointed out as, though they are usually the best of whatever their specified occupation may be, but as anyone who puts at least a little effort into competing for some sort of achievement, whether it be a personal goal, a cooperative vision, or for a sense of acceptance in a manner that strains both physique and intellect as much as it need be. Thus, any one, no matter the physical or

mental conditions they might find themselves in, has the potential of becoming an Athlete.

Straining intellect in a Sport? Even the Sport of Track, where one just runs in an oval to put it bluntly, consists of not only physically strong legs, but to conquer mind games of weakness and quitting. Also, many fundamentals that must be physically used in running have to become second hand in the Athletes mind so that they freely stride in a specific way that gives more advantage to achieving the goal of passing the finish line in first place.

To bring cooperation in play, American football can be seen as my coach has stated before, “Organized violence.” Truth be said in those words, but it also brought a sense of close friendship, and somewhat of a brotherhood between my team mates and I. All for one, and one for all.

The point of all of this is, is that the Sport is hardly just a form of entertainment, but a way of life. It defines some humans such as Usain Bolt. It saves others such as Michael Oher. The Sport can provide sense of belonging. It provides good morals and work ethic for the most part. With all this in mind, I suggest that even if you are not participating in any Sport for whatever reason it may be, may you inspire others to do so, predominantly in high school or middle school where it isn’t too difficult to be part

of the programs. Plus, there are alternate programs such as Debate, Math competitions, and other intellectually dominant Sports.

We are human, therefore we are Athletes. We live, therefore we’re embodied in the Sport.