Competition is healthy and necessary

One of my favorite moments in General Conference came from Bishop Gary E. Stevenson’s talk titled “Your Four Minutes.” Bishop Stevenson shared this quote that I can’t stop thinking about.

As a skier and a snowboarder myself, I was deeply impressed with the “four-minute” silver medal-winning performance of Australian LDS athlete and snowboarder Torah Bright in the half-pipe competition. She dazzled the world as she finished a virtually flawless run culminating in a backside rodeo 720. However, even more impressive and surprising to the world was the way she reached out and demonstrated Christ-like love to her competitors. She noticed that American snowboarder Kelly Clark, who had a bad first run in her final round, appeared to be nervous about her second run. “She gave me a hug,” Clark recalls. “She just held me until I actually calmed down enough and I slowed my breathing. It was good to have a hug from a friend.” Kelly Clark would later join Torah on the winners’ podium as a bronze medalist.

When asked about this unusual act of kindness toward her opponent, which could have put her own silver medal at risk, Torah simply said, “I am a competitor—I want to do my best—but I want my fellow competitors to do their best, too.”

I love that definition of "competitor!" 

She is right! Either we all do our best, or no one can reach their best. I was once accused of being competitive because I called out an opponent for cheating. But this is not what competitive means. 

One definition of competitive is “having a strong desire to succeed” according to dictionary.com. A truly competitive person, who desires to do his best, will also want others to do their best. Only healthy competition will inspire the atmosphere required to allow everyone to do their best. If my fellow competitors do not do their best, it is simply impossible for me to reach my best. So, yes, I desire success and am willing to push others to genuine success. 

By this definition, I am competitive.