Life's Not Fair!

Today, I attended my eldest daughter's field day.

Things have changed quite a bit from the days when I used to participate in such events.  Some for the good, but quite a bit for the bad, I am afraid.

First, the good part: the afternoon activities consisted of seven "centers" of activity.  Popsicles, a really fun game, a water slide, water and free play, Rain, Rain, Flood (a variation of Duck, Duck, Goose), basketball and playground time, and finally a slip and slide.  These activities were really cool both literally and figuratively.  Never had such activities when I was in school, and they sure beat sitting in the blazing sun at the football stadium watching everyone else race while (im)patiently waiting your turn.  Furthermore, there was no danger of anyone overheating.  The water activities literally kept everyone cool, and sometimes even cold.  Definitely better than when I was a kid.

Oh, but the morning...I could have done without the morning.

Don't get me wrong, the kids had a blast playing the games they played.  They got a little bored in between, but for the most part they enjoyed the activities.  What bothered me most was what the focus was.

#1: There were no races where there were individual winners and losers.  Geez, I couldn't conceive of field day without such things when I was a kid.  We had sack races, three legged races, 50 yard dashes, 100 yard dashes, potato races, and relay races.  When we won, we actually got ribbons.  We would work to put together teams and we'd hopefully link up with others who had some semblance of speed.  Such races have been all but banished for entire group games because they don't want anyone to be disappointed in losing. 

I mean, far be it that a youngster have his or her fragile little ego crushed as they find out that life isn't fair.  Far be it that a youngster actually find out that there are winners and losers in life.  Far be it that they are so sheltered so that they go through a little bit of their life with the delusion that everyone wins and no one ever loses.

Jimney Crickets!  Hello!  Does anyone realize the wisdom of dealing with winning and losing on a small scale like field day so that kids can be taught how to be good sports in winning and losing?  Anyone realize the wisdom of teaching kids how to cope with losing at an event that really doesn't mean all that much anyway?  Anyone realize the wisdom in bringing kids along slowly in such endeavors so that when they actually fail at something (believe me, it WILL happen) they will be able to say to themselves, "O.K., I missed this time, but I refuse to give up."?

Even Jesus didn't tell His followers life would be fair.  He taught them to deal with the reality of a world that was unfair.  He didn't tell them all things and all people would be equal now.  When the Kingdom of God was fully established...well, that would be another matter.  But until that time, Jesus equipped His disciples to never lose dignity, never lose hope, and to keep planting one foot in front of the other no matter what they encountered in life.

#2: Even though individuals were not recognized, classes were.  Classes won first, second, third, most spirited, and best sportsmanship.  And the classes weren't rewarded with anything--the teachers were.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I believe teachers earn every darn dime they receive.  They are not paid enough for what they do, and they get tons of crap shoveled upon them from some parents below and administrators above.  But, should kids run and jump and race and earn points so their teacher gets a reward?  Are we teaching these kids to work their tail ends off so that someone else can enjoy the fruits of their labor?

Now, I know.  I know.  This is just field day, but it is a learning experience for these kids.  If the class is being rewarded with points, reward the class as well as the teacher.

If you ask me, what is really unfair about the way this field day (and many, many others who instill the same stuff) was handled was the messages it teaches the kids about fairness.  They will be in for some very rude awakenings at a later date when they discover what many of us already know:

Life's not fair.

But, if you learn how, you still make the most of it.