Who Wants Second Place?

Everyone loves a winner, right?  We are always supposed to be the best of the best, the winners of the race, the cream of the crop.  So what about those who don't quite make it all the way to the top of that mountain?  What do we do about those guys?

Who wants Second Place?


Well, I would.  When I was going through high school, I was one of the social outcasts.  Shy and introverted, I definitely did not fit in with the "popular" group, so I turned my attention to my schooling.  I inherited my love of books from my mother and luckily enough, found it quite easy to excel in my studies.  Even so, I was quite surprised when shortly before my graduation it was announced that I was going to be Salutatorian of our graduating class.  In case you are wondering, that means I came in second place in that academic race for top honors that year.  Funny thing is, I never knew I was running!  Second place came with responsibilities like performing the welcoming speech to our graduation (a feat I am STILL amazed I did considering how I dealt with such overwhelming shyness every day), but it also came with its own rewards (you should have seen the look on the Homecoming Queen's face when she found out that I outranked her academically) so I was happy to take Second Place at that time in my life!


Who wants Second Place?


I'm thinking the Silver Medalist at the Olympics would.  No matter what the field of competition, all those athletes have spent years fine tuning their skills, just hoping for that chance to prove themselves on the Olympic field of battle.  They don't go to those games intending to only win second place, but should they end up on that lower podium, I'm sure they are not going to give that medal back.  Second Place at the Olympics is still FIRST among the millions of other athletes that never even made it to the opening ceremonies.  And I'm pretty sure a Silver Medalist at the Olympics can live with that!


Who wants Second Place?


I'm pretty sure any writer would.  Not everyone can win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature.  But that  doesn't mean that there is only one book per year worthy of being read.  We writers put our heart and soul into the written word.  If we take our talent seriously, we are forever trying to improve our skill level and "train" every day for our own "race" to publication.  Do we WANT to win First Place and any of the literary awards offered each year?  Of course!  But would I as a writer, and hopeful future author, "settle" for a mere Honorary Mention for a Newberry Medal or Horn Book Award or any other shout out showcasing my work?  You bet your sweet bippy I would!


In my mind, there is absolutely nothing wrong with NOT winning something as long as you are at least in the race.  For writers, that means to keep writing every day, to be open for ways to improve your talents as a writer, and have the patience to stay focused on the finish line when others fall by the wayside.  Then you can look in the mirror and proudly say, "I can settle for Second Place!"






Happy Holidays to all my FB friends!