You finished last place in the relay. You lost in a landslide election to someone you never even stood a chance against. You failed the chemistry test. You lost the keys to your car. You were fired from the company that you worked at for over 10 years. You didn’t even get an interview for that manager position.

That last paragraph was incredibly depressing, and hopefully all of those things will not happen to you at once. Actually, it's unfortunate when any one of those things happen, but at least one of those things has happened to everyone at some point in their lives. I could be flowery and say that I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone ever; I could say that I hope your life is an easy road, paved and clean below a sunny blue sky.

But I would be lying.

I want you to lose.

I’m not malicious; I promise. You have so much to gain from not getting what you want.

Losing makes you a better person, and losing is a learning experience. Losing toughens your skin and makes you stronger. Losing teaches you humility and how to respect others. Losing makes you want to improve and can motivate you to want more.

When you lose, you learn how to be graceful and kind in the face of difficulty. When you lose, you learn about what is effective and what is inefficient or even harmful in a certain circumstance. When you lose, you can develop bonds with those who have been through similar situations.

Next time you find yourself facing defeat, listen to a few sad songs or maybe have a cupcake or two. Don’t get too hung up, though, because losing is an opportunity for you to seize and make yours. Losing is only a valuable experience with the right attitude and the willingness to grow, so don’t think about what you’ve lost--think about what you’ve gained.

Then get up and try again.