DEAR TABBY

DEAR TABBY:  I have a personal question for you, Tabby.  I think you’re second to none, but how do you really feel about not having the first post of the week?  ANDREW, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (The first Spanish civilian settlement in Texas created by the Spanish authorities).

DEAR ANDREW:  Well, that’s a first!  Seriously, being “second chair” to Dan is an honor.  I feel that I compliment his editorial post with my unique style and insight.  On second thought….no, just kidding!  I was the second in my litter, born on the second day in the second month of 2002 (02/02/2002).  My mother said I was born “not a second too soon!”  Seriously Michael, like the poster reflects, being "first" is not always the best.  Like Dan said, being your best, is the best.  

The Olympic Games are regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition.  The Olympic motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius, a Latin expression meaning "Faster, Higher, Stronger."  The Olympic creed states:

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.  The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.

Currently, the athletes or teams who place first, second, or third in each event receive medals. The winners receive gold medals, the runners-up receive silver medals, and the third-place athletes are awarded bronze medals.

Hannibal (247–183 or 182 BC) is generally considered to be one of the greatest military commanders of all time, and Rome considered him the greatest enemy they had ever faced.  After he was was conquered by Scipio (Roman general), Scipio asked Hannibal who were the greatest generals of all time in order of merit.  He answered "Alexander, Pyrrhus, Hannibal." (not Scipio).  Scipio said with tongue in cheek: "And what if I hadn't defeated you?"  Hannibal said "Hannibal would have been first."

General George S. Patton, Jr., was a great leader.  He said, "Never tell people how to do things.  Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."  Patton was an animal lover with a particular attraction to bull terriers.  He bought his first one, called Tank, just after World War I.  During World War II, on March 4, 1944, at the height of Patton's fame, he purchased the famous white bull terrier named Willie, short for "William the Conqueror."  For the rest of Patton's life, Willie and General Patton went everywhere together.  Willie had his own set of "dog tags" and had quite a reputation with the "lady" dogs.  Gen. Patton doted on the dog and even hosted a birthday party for him.

 

An example of someone following his own path is Jose Mourinho, the most successful football coach in the world and the current manager of Real Madrid.  He has the nickname "The Special One," which he gave to himself!  He wanted to become a professional football player like his father, but when it was obvious that he could not excel as a player, he pursued becoming a professional football coach instead.  He redefined the role of a football coach by mixing coaching theory with motivational and psychological techniques. 

He worked as a translator for Sir Bobby Robson, of which Mourinho later said, "One of the most important things I learned from Bobby Robson is that when you win, you shouldn't assume you are the team, and when you lose, you shouldn’t think you are rubbish."  He also is quoted as saying, “There’s no pressure at the top.  The pressure’s being second or third." 

Wouldn't most of us do well to follow the Olympic Creed: ...not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle.  The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. 

Now my first choice is to watch Tom and Jerry in Million Dollar Cat: