Silvering To Victory

Like a lot of Canadians, Audrey and I got up before 6 am this morning so we could watch the gold medal hockey game against Team USA.

So, like many Canadians, in addition to being sleep deprived, I am saddened, frustated and yeah, disappointed.

Not with our team - heavens no!

Without their injured captain and gold medal hero Sidney Crosby, they still played their guts out, tying the game, penalty killing a 4-minute major, shelling the American goalie (who played supernaturally well!) with nearly twice as many shots as their opponents in the 2nd and 3rd periods, but ultimately losing early in the 3-on-3 overtime period (which, by the way: why?!).

"We did everything but score," a crestfallen player said. What more could we have asked of them?

On social media, many Canadian sports fans credited the USA with playing a good, hard game, and thanked our side for a tremendous effort, but I am sure this outcome will rest on their spirits for years to come.

And sure, some Canucks pointed fingers at uncalled penalties, but my frustration didn't stem from them:

 

Disheartening stuff to be sure, and I am confident that there are people who find the stuff above amsuing, gratifying and all part of the game.

But I think these laughs have a very low return on investment. Magnanimity feels like a lot to ask for in our currently heated environment, at least in some quarters. But I truly believe the overhead costs on hubris and arrogance will be debilitating in the long term. 

Seeing well-wishers from Finland (who we beat to get to the final), Great Britain (who we'd beaten in men's curling that very morning) and even some from the United States prior even to the puck being dropped, gave me a little consolation in the wake of the gloating and sneering that small-minded folks find preferable.

Canadian playwright Christophe Earle is quoted as saying, "Be humble in victory, and gracious in defeat." There is no second part to this aphorism or epigram; no promised reward or surety that goes with it. It doesn't promise good luck or to keeo the doctor away or to make the practitioner healthy, wealthy and wise. Perhaps that is the point of it, actually.

In truth though, what it does it nurture relationships, and build community. It reduces division, something that many people count upon to make the world continue running in an established pattern.

And while that promise might not be as flashy or alluring as gold, it has the shine and purity of silver, which makes it covetable (and accessible!) to that man more people!