Jill's Journal: Who doesn't want to win?

Everybody wants to be first at least some point in their lifetime.

I mean, we’re taught early on that it’s fun to win.

Remember those games of “Candyland” in grade school?

I well remember my mom and nephew Travus as a youngster playing games and games of “Sorry.”

I also remember setting up the board and Travus announcing, “OK, Grandma, we’re going to play ‘down and dirty.’”

What he meant was is that he didn’t want to win unless he really won.

I admired that.

As adults, from the time a kid can walk, we’re encouraging them to try their hardest in whatever race or endeavor they may be undertaking. We want them to win, to be on the top step.

I see it all of the time on the sidelines of whatever game I’m covering. Fans in the stands want their kids to win.

The kids on the bleachers take part in cheers, all to encourage their team to be the first to the finish.

And the players themselves, well they want to win more than anything.

Why? 

Because winning is fun.

My topic this week came to mind while driving to the Minnehaha County Commission meeting this morning. Just as I have for several years now, I’ve headed to the third floor of the County Administration Building, sat alongside publishers of two other Minnehaha County newspapers anxiously awaiting the Commission’s vote on whether to name all of us as one of their three required legal newspapers of record. By law, the state of South Dakota requires three newspapers. Our commissioners believe in getting the word out, and have elected to designate four newspapers, including the Brandon Valley Journal, the Garretson Gazette, the Minnehaha Messenger and the Argus Leader.

I was thankful this morning when Commissioner Jean Bender – despite added expense – made the motion to continue to print their legal notices with the same four newspapers.

Yes, we won - again.

But it wasn’t the beginning-of-the-new-year process that led me to write about winning. It was during my drive there where I found myself “winning.” 

But, was I really?

The driver in the lane next to me continued to speed up. I knew they wanted in my lane, but for whatever reason, I found myself speeding up right along with them. After increasing our speeds a couple of times, the driver next to me slowed down, coasted over to the lane I was in and then the turning lane.

I had won.

But, had I really?

For a split second, it made me feel good. Then, I felt bad. Although it wasn’t “extensive” road rage, it was still that. And in that case, nobody wins.