The Boundary of Competition

Competition is the basis of success for a capitalist nation such as the United States (assuming we ignore the past 5 or 6 years).  Competition allows us to find motivation when there is none.  Competition is fun and engaging when you aren't being pummeled by your opponent. But....is competition really healthy among friends?

When two or more friends enter competition, it starts off as exactly that "friendly" competition but things can quickly change when lines aren't drawn.  By this mean, everybody has to have their own hobby, talent, or goal that they covet and that is unique to them.  When someone tries to engage in competition in areas that they have previously shown no interest in just to outdo a friend, the relationship might start to enter into hostile territory.  Sometimes this behavior can be an accident and can be simply from the habit of competing but other times it is no accident and it can be done in an attempt to belittle another's accomplishments.  This can be a sign of low-self esteem.

While it may seem for the moment that belittling someone else might boost your self-esteem, it really doesn't.  It's just like when a woman retreats to Ben n Jerry after a bad breakup.  After the sugar high subsides, the pain will return like a bad check.  Not only will the self-esteem issues resurface, they will do so with a vengeance.  This is because happiness can only be found through one's own deep down desires and not the desires of someone else mimicked in competition.