I’m a loser. You’re a loser. We’re all losers at one point in our lives. 

Whether it be losing a soccer game, losing a job, or perhaps losing a friend from an argument. You get the point.

Does it hurt to lose? Yes.

Do you want to crawl up into a ball and throw a tantrum? Yes. 

However, the real question that should be asked is what will you do to get back on your feet?
 
That is what will determine your next actions in life. That will set the tone for how you will grow as an individual. 

The choice is 100 percent up to you.

There are two outcomes to losing. The first is to continue to be a loser and eat yourself up over what has already happened. The second is to get up off the ground, and think. Think logically. 

How can you grow from the experience?

For starters, taking the time to think about how you can grow is important.You absolutely can figure something out if you set your mind to it.

The journey may be long and risky, but living life in fear of taking risks will get you nowhere. You have to fail at least once in your life in order to succeed. 

You must be wondering why I am so focused on the intent of growth from losing. Losing became a big inspiration for me this past Tuesday night, when my school’s soccer team suffered an upsetting loss against Wells High School.

As mentioned in previous columns, I am a member of the Old Orchard Beach High School’s girl’s varsity soccer team.

We have had a strong season with a record of six wins, two ties, and six losses. This match against Wells was a very important game to us, it was our chance to earn a bye and advance into the next round of playoffs, rather than play a preliminary game to get there.

Unfortunately, there was a big obstacle in our path. We didn’t have our starting goalie.

I was overcome with nerves, for I had to take the role as starting goalie in the match. This was my first experience of the season being in net, so I did indeed have much to be nervous about.

I went into the game thinking about how badly I wanted to win the game. How hard I was going to try, despite my lack of experience. I wanted to save every goal.

Did that happen? No. In fact, it was the exact opposite. 

The final score of the game was 7-2. 

Needless to say, it wasn’t a very good game for me. After the first goal was scored, I needed to keep my head held high for my team, so I did.

Then came goal two …

Then goal three …

Most of these goals were very good shots that a goalie would typically have a hard time saving.

I was frustrated, Embarrassed by my performance.

Though I knew the goals weren’t completely my fault, I wanted to be better for the team. I was angry. I wanted to curl up into a ball and cry.

Did I do that? No.

Despite my feelings, I had to stay strong because quitting wasn’t going to make the outcome any different. Crying wouldn’t make us win. 

Because I kept my head high, I was able to keep supporting my teammates to not give up. They had shown me the same amount of constant support as well, and I am very grateful for that.

The lesson behind this story is that when these instances of losing occur, sometimes it is important and absolutely necessary to keep your head high and move on. Losing is a part of human growth and gaining knowledge.

You aren’t always going to get the outcome you want, and the most important thing you can take away from that is figuring out how you will recover. 

In this era where many things are handed to people on a silver platter, how you overcome adversity helps you grow.