So much of life seems to be a race.

I am not a great competitor (except at board games, where it doesn't matter.) I hate the whole concept of Awards (I've won a few, so it isn't sour grapes) Why does one have to be better than another? At least in that we are recognizing a real achievement. So much of "one-up-manship" is moot in the most obvious way. Your country, state, city, school, sports team, whatever is the best--why? Because you affiliate yourself with it? Your favorite actors, films, books, whatever are best because-- you like them? What about people who, for whatever reason, cannot stand your tastes? I love Hemingway, my daughter hates him. And yet, there is no one whose taste I would question less. I know people who won't watch black and white films, or foreign films, or films made before 1970, or whatever artificial means they chose to restrict their lives. They have a right to ignore those things, but not to call them bad, just something they don't have a palate for, as yet. My wife loves duck, I think it is okay, but I don't get excited about it. And yet I believe her to have the best taste of any woman on this planet. Even if she can't abide the Three Stooges. We run so fast that we worry about wasting time on anything but the best. I always remember this, the more time saving devices we seem to invent, the less time people seem to have. Sometimes you need to stop and try something you haven't tried, or tried before and weren't caught up. If you only take the cream of the crop, who are you going to elect to check out everything for you to decide? The path no yet taken may offer you things that will enrich your life, but it is a path that doesn't run fast or smooth. You have to take you time and look around. But, guess what? A little of that, now and then, is good for you.