Competition can be wonderful in moderation. Having a competitive spirit is a powerful trait in business, creating a strong will to succeed. But, that desire to win can turn ugly when the feeling moves into one's personal life. Highly competitive people are prone to becoming envious or resentful of others who are "winning" anything of value. Your best friend who had a baby, or lost a lot of weight, or the couple who bought a big house in the city, suddenly don't seem so nice anymore. Anger and annoyance may replace earlier feelings of love and compassion. That visceral desire to win can make it hard to feel happy with yourself or with others who are successful. As a yoga instructor, I see students push themselves beyond their current ability to compete with other students. It is distressing because they are missing the point of the practice. Yoga is the practice of self-acceptance. It is a personal and special journey. It starts and ends with feeling grateful for who you are at this point in time. There is no need to compete outside of work. I urge my clients to feel happy and grateful for their unique blessings and find inspiration and joy in other's success. Namaste :)
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