Today my little one received her first medal — a tiger medal in taekwando.  Neither she nor I had any idea the Grand Master was going to bestow the award upon her in front of her peers at the end of a regular class day.  I think it is safe to say both she and I were shocked and so proud.  I do not think I ever got a medal until high school when I was in the elite choir.  Let’s face it, to some that can be pretty geeky.  And, despite all my little one’s achievements in martial arts thus far, she had never received a medal.  I am telling you it is just flat out cool.  It is heavy and substantial.  My little one is so very proud of it, as she should be!  Frankly, I wish I had a cool tiger medal like that!  I am amazed at the juxtaposition between the Grand Master’s strength and gentleness.  It is a contradiction worthy of pursuit.  She also got a super cool certificate with gold dragons on it!  I was all kinds of jealous (in a good way!) and wished I had gotten something like that.  The American football coach Bill Parcells said, “You don’t get any medal for trying something, you get medals for results.”  I confess I have never been a “team sports” fan but I believe that as well.  Medals go to the victors.  Trying is worthy and should never be discounted — but nor should simple participation garner a medal.  In life sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.  My father taught me if I did not win easily and did not want to lose I must simply work harder.  I believe in that ethic.  And I hope that is what I am instilling in our child.