Imagine this: It’s early morning, and you’re about to embark on your first half marathon. After months of preparation, you’re ready to put your endurance to the test. The excitement builds as you receive your bib number from volunteers and find a spot to stretch while you sync up your playlist. You’re nervous but determined. You can do this!
As you start the race, you reflect on how far you’ve come from those days spent on the couch, scrolling through your phone. Sure, your run might resemble a fast walk, but this event is about achieving a personal goal, not about speed or style. And guess what? You’re almost there! The pack of runners has dispersed, and it’s just you and your determination now. You can’t wait to snap a selfie at the finish line, proudly displaying your medal on social media.
With your legs feeling like jelly and your heart racing, you cross the finish line and look around, expecting some sort of reward for your effort. But instead, you only receive a casual pat on the back from a volunteer who cheerfully says, “Good job.” That’s it? After all that hard work, you feel a surge of frustration. Surely, you deserve more than a friendly acknowledgment after all those hours of training.
But let’s be real: when adults face setbacks, we don’t often call them “losing.” Instead, we find ways to celebrate our efforts, though we might not label them as participation trophies. We might indulge in a nice glass of wine, binge-watch a favorite show on Netflix, or treat ourselves to a day of self-care. Even sex can be seen as a trophy of sorts!
You see, I’m all for rewarding effort, even if it’s in the form of participation trophies. When I volunteered with a group of young girls, I saw the importance of acknowledging each one’s contributions — even if they weren’t the best at everything. At the end of the year, every girl walked away with a personalized certificate and a small token, a way to say, “I see you.”
In a world where it’s all too easy to feel isolated, recognizing participation helps foster a sense of community and belonging. Children will face plenty of challenges throughout their lives, and that’s okay. But until adults decide to stop hoarding their own participation medals, I’ll be handing out recognition like confetti. Every child trying their best deserves acknowledgment.
So here’s to all the kids out there striving, even if they don’t always win. They deserve our support, not our judgment.
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Summary
Participation trophies aren’t just for kids—they’re a way to recognize effort and encourage a sense of community. Whether in sports or life, everyone deserves acknowledgment for trying. After all, we all face challenges, and a little recognition can go a long way in fostering resilience and support.