I have always been under the impression that everyone is competitive.
Growing up in a family that cheats at Spoons and having a husband that would chew off his arm to win has led me to believe that this is normal.
As I walk 25 minutes to work everyday, I encounter many of the same people and I play a little game to keep things interesting. I try to pass as many people as possible. Normally, I pass quite a few people. I think this is due to them not understanding that there is a game going on around them, but it might also be because I'm faster.
Every once in a while, I encounter someone who plays the game with me.
Last week is a prime example...
I first caught up to this woman on a flat part of my walk after walking up a long hill. She seemed like someone who would be easy enough to pass and I sped up that little extra to pass her. She must have sensed someone behind her because she sped up as well. I followed right behind her, but this woman was flying! How annoying. Just let me pass you. This is my game! I'm meant to win!
She stayed ahead of me until we reached a crossing and had to stop to wait for the little green man to give us the go ahead. I would have gone before the green man showed up, but there was a lot of traffic. When he did appear, I sped off and made it across the street before her and started down the hill.
Then, to my horror, she passed me!
If she wanted a race, I would give her one.
But she flew down that hill and I couldn't catch up. I walked as fast as my silver flats could carry me, but it wasn't enough to catch her. Luckily, we reached Ecclesall Road and had to stop. I cut across the first lane of traffic while she went to the crosswalk, but we met again in the middle as traffic was too thick to make a run for it before she caught up to me. I was close to work and only had one last hill to beat her. I was ready to race!
I flew across the road and started practically running up the hill. I wasn't looking back. I had to win! It would be a shame to lose at my own game!
When I made it to the top of the hill, I saw her half way down and smiled with satisfaction. I still hurried that last 100 yards to work just in case, but I had won. Hill sprints had finally paid off. Never mind the fact that I arrived at work red in the face - I had beaten her!
I shared my success story with my fellow student support co-workers wanting their congratulations, but found that everyone thought I was the weird one.
It was then I realized that not everyone is as competitive as I am, but maybe they should be.
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