Several years ago, a fascinating article appeared in a Beebe, Ark., church bulletin. The pastor wrote glowingly of a time when the enlisted men at the naval base in Norfolk, Va., were challenged to form a softball team and play the officers. The enlisted men did and won the game. The next day, the executive officer posted this message on the bulletin board: "Congratulations to our fine officer's softball team, which came in second this year, having lost only one game. It is unfortunate that the enlisted men made such a poor showing, finishing next to last, having won only one game the entire season. We hope they will have better luck next year."

Personally, I think it's a funny story. It's ironic that the officers could not admit that they had been beaten soundly by the enlisted men, whom they had challenged to put together a team and see what they could do. While there's humor in the way it was reported, the fact that the officers could not acknowledge the loss brings up a significant point: Until we admit a loss, there's nothing we can do to improve our situation. However, chances are good that neither side took the situation seriously and both had a good laugh and vowed they'd win next time!

That's the approach I prefer to take. I believe we can put our best foot forward as long as there is no malice involved and it's all done in good fun.

Messages: When you are in competition, you should do your best to win. However, if your team loses, you should smile and congratulate the victors. Then, if you can snatch a little victory from the defeat by recording it in a favorable, but completely truthful way, you've added some zest to your life, which will make it easier for me to see you at the top!

2 Seas

One of the favorite examples used by writers, speakers, preachers and politicians is the story of the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee.

The Sea of Galilee is living and well. Trees grow along its banks; fishermen ply their trade, and their efforts feed the people; children run and play on the shores; and people nearby, in general, thrive and are happy. Not many miles distant is another sea, called the Dead Sea. There is no life there. The water is the saltiest of any sea in the world. You will find no children freely at play in its waters, and no fishermen set up trade on its shores, for there are no fish or other living creatures in those unlivable waters.

Interestingly enough, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are both fed by the Jordan River. The difference is that for every drop of water the Sea of Galilee accepts, it passes on a drop of water to other parts of the land. On the other hand, the Dead Sea has no outlets and hordes every drop of water that comes its way.

The analogies generally conclude with the fact that in order to continue to thrive, you must be giving out some of what you take in. However, there is another principle to be learned, and that is the teacher-student relationship. The individual who learns and then teaches someone else learns far more thoroughly and applies the lesson more faithfully than do those who simply learn.

Message: "As ye sow, so also shall ye reap." The teachers who sow what they have learned will reap benefits in the form of gratitude, better relationships and frequently larger financial gains — plus an intense happiness and joy that comes when you make someone else's life richer and happier.

We can choose to learn and teach and, as a result, learn more, be more, do more and have more, or we can simply learn and let it die. Learn then teach, and I will see you at the top!

To find out more about Zig Ziglar and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. Subscribe to Zig Ziglar's free e-mail newsletter through [email protected].