How to Lose Gracefully

Nobody likes to lose. When you were a kid, you probably threw a tantrum if you lost a toy. As a teenager, we fight to get a date for the prom. As adults, we are fighting for a promotion at work and if we are not granted one, it's embarassing and we feel very dejected. In life, we are constantly trying to up one another and if we lose. We always want to win. People are addicted to winning and think that winning is everything. Losing is for “losers”. It is difficult for us to accept defeat and gracefully acknowledge the fact that we have lost. We forget that life is a game and losing is a part of the growing up process too. Somewhere along the line, human race has forgotten the art of losing gracefully and how to congratulate the winner wholeheartedly!
Well, if you lose, you have two options – be a sore loser or a graceful loser. A sore loser gets angry quickly, and blames the winner in some way. Whereas a graceful loser, feels bad, but puts up a brave front, accepts defeat, congratulates the winner with a smile and makes sure that next time he will put up a brilliant performance. A graceful loser knows that what is important is to put your heart and soul in the performance or work. Winning and losing is just a consequence!
Every one of us have failed and lost at some point in time. No one can win continuously. Take the example of Stephanie Graff who was a world champion for a long time in the world of tennis. But of course, there were times that she would lose. She was a gracious loser. She would always smile and whole heartedly congratulate the opponent and she will make sure that she has learnt from her mistakes. The greatest risk of being a sore loser is that you will lose hope for the future. A sore loser becomes so dejected and starts undermining his own capabilities. That is where the problem occurs. If your attitude is positive and after the loss you start working doubly hard, you are sure to win next time. But if you feel angry and frustrated, you are bound to make mistakes yet again and finally lose yet again.
It is very important to learn how to lose in life if you want to climb the ladder of success. Very few climb this ladder at the first go, you need to lose first. You will win next time surely. You need to let go of the feelings that cause the sensation of loss, anger, disappointment, frustration. By letting go of these feelings, you will be able to lose gracefully and when you win, you will be humble and gracious too!