The contest lasts for moments,
though the training's taken years,
it wasn't the winning alone that was,
worth all the work and tears.
The applause will be forgotten,
the prize will be misplaced,
but the long hard hours of practice,
will never be a waste.
For in trying to win you build a skill,
you learn that winning depends on will.
You never grow by how much you win,
you only grow by how much you put in.
So any new challenge you've just begun,
Put forth your best effort and you've already won.
Thanks to Jane Freeman for finding such an inspiring poem!
