I read a philosophic statement the other day. Unfortunately, I can't
remember the author … or even where I read it, but it went something like,
"Winning is the object of the game, but not the object of playing the game."
What I think was meant is that games are intended to produce a winner. It also
holds, then, that they also produce a loser … maybe are also intended to produce
a loser.
It's like the old saying, "A difference of opinion produces a horse race."
Two farmers are sitting on the boardwalk in front of the general store, each
bragging about the talents of his particular animal. Each opines that his horse
is faster than his companion's horse.
There's only one way to resolve the conflict … race 'em.
Of course, participation in the contest puts each of the farmers at risk of
coming in second … of being the loser.
It also gives each the opportunity of becoming the winner.
In between, there is the fun of competing … it's all about the fun.
It's why they call it "playing" the game.
You play the game for fun, for the chance to win, for the chance to meet a
challenge, for the chance to best the opponent … in team sports, for the added
enjoyment of joining with teammates.
Before we get too teary-eyed here, let's move on.
Challenge is what leads some people to try to complete very daunting tasks … to
test their bodies and minds against the
Nature.
Which brings us to Kathie Chriest, who took on one of her challenges last
weekend and saw it through.
She paddled a kayak across Lake Erie.
The 29 year old native of Edinboro, Ontario, now living in Erie, PA, took about
eight hours to travel the 30 miles from Long Point, Ontario to the Bayfront
Center for Maritime Studies in Presque Isle Bay near Erie.
Starting just before eight in the morning last Friday, she arrived at her goal
just before three in the afternoon. She was welcomed by about 15 people,
including friends, family and media.
The purpose of her trip, besides the personal challenge, was to raise awareness
of something called the Ophelia Project.
The OP is a national charity project founded in Erie, PA about eight years ago.
It aims at helping high school age girls form healthy relationships with their
peers and creating a safe social culture for all young people.
It provides education and programming about relational aggression (boyfriends
who beat you up) and healthy lifestyles for youth in the U.S. and Canada.
The Ophelia Project now intends to make the Lake Erie crossing an annual event
and lots of other kayakers in the east end of Lake Erie are saying they want to
take part.
Ms. Chriest appears to be a winner.