The Drive of Humans

Human nature is so fascinating. Why do we love to compete with one another? What makes us so driven to win and beat our peers? Throughout the last few weeks, I have noticed and thought about the amount of competition, both healthy and hurtfull, going on around me. I find the ugly side of human nature comes out much more than it should when competition occurs. Not only do I see this in sports, arts, etc. but in simple everyday life; everyone feels they need to be better than everyone else. I personally don't like competing very much. I don't like proving I'm better than everyone else because everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses.

I know my view on competing is extremely obsqure; I say that because I am VERY competetive, and yet, I really don't like competing. And to put these thoughts into words is very difficult. I just feel like there is so much unecessary competition accompanied by necessary competition. Clearly, the real world of jobs if full of requisite competition. But looking at the little things such as grades in school; students focus too much on comparing with one another, they forget to look at realizing and knowing their strengths and working to improve weaknesses. I am being quite hypocritical here in the sense that I compare myself to others so much, I forget to realize there are good things about me. However, I see it in others, and realize that it is both helpful and hurtful. It is helpful because having others who are better than you at something pushes you and helps you grow in that area. But when people beat themselves up by comparing themselves to others is extremely degenerating to one's energy and happiness.

Personally, I like performing and creating for others pleasure than competing. I feel that I am not accomplishing anything when I am just putting other people down whereas I am only entertaining and pleasing others when I am performing or creating something. For example, in my auditioning for the spring musical, I find the cutthroat nature of competetors stands out. People are touchy, sensitive, rude, and obnoxious. I think auditions should smply be a learning experience, not a bloodbath competition. But in the end, the musical is made to entertain, so why make the process so hurtful? People should worry less about others and more about self-improvements to be made from criticism or rejection. Not to say someone shouldn't be upset, but to take it out on others seems unfair and unecessary.