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I'm not even vaguely sure whether it is better to strive for excellence be happy if you barely muddle through life. Both have their pitfalls. Few of us reach a perfect balance.
I do think that schools and libraries should encourage people to do the best they can and occasionally this is the case.
I did very well in school until the day I came across a teacher asking my brother why he wasn't as smart as his sister. Even at 8 years old I knew there was something wrong there and decided to not be so smart. I was then content to simply pass every year and was actually sent to a psychiatrist at the schools expense to try and find out why. Luckily I enjoyed the psychiatrist and went for 2 years before they decided I was a lost cause. Probably not the reason I dropped out at 15 but may have helped.
I was not good in sports, or music, which annoyed me, but I can't recall resenting those who were. I tried out every year for sports, and took piano and violin lessons, but they wouldn't let me play and I was the only child in the entire school who was not allowed to be in a group sing at the music festival because I could throw the whole class off tune. Even the church didn't want me to sing hymns. I was truly terrible.
Didn't stop me from trying though even in high school, and I didn't resent those who could sing and play baseball. Envied them, and admired them, but didn't think they should not be allowed to compete just so I could finally be the best.
And where does it stop? Disqualify one child this year, another the next, there will still only be one winner, one runner up, etc. Giving everyone a prize is fine, but it doesn't change the fact that they didn't win.
Schools are less competitive overall these days and many pass everybody to avoid traumatization. Thus in many cases Johnny can't read and is totally unprepared for a life where he must read or complete his assignments or show up for work every day.
And where would we be without those of a competitive and stubborn nature who strive to become better or are smarter than average and don't get it beaten out of them?
It would be a much poorer world without them.
Helen
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