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At the risk of sounding ancient, I feel it is necessary to begin this blog with the words, “Back in my day . . .“ So here goes:

Back in my day, it was uncommon to be a twin. My twin brother and I have only met a couple of other sets of male/female fraternal twins our own age in our entire lives. Since fertility treatments have increased in popularity and availability, twinship is less rare than it was a few decades ago. Because twins were uncommon, people were often interested in our particular sibling bond and we were frequently asked, “What’s it like to be a twin?” I’ve confronted this question many times in my life with some variation of this answer:

Being a twin provided valuable healthy competition that allowed me to succeed at things I otherwise would not have.

My twin brother’s name is Joseph. He and I competed for everything. Who can run 3 miles faster? Who can tread water longer? Who can stay up later? Who can outlast the other in a breath-holding contest? I’m sure we competed for our parents’ attention too. Most valuably, however, we competed academically. We were in the same classes in middle and high school, so competing for the highest grades helped us both succeed in school, K-12 and beyond. In my opinion, here are three reasons why:
First, competition motivates us to do our best—and then improve on that best.
It gives us a reason to study harder, aim higher, hold our breath a little longer, and stretch beyond what we thought we could do.
Second, competition teaches us to win and lose with grace.
In today’s world of “everyone gets a trophy,” true competition reminds us that sometimes there is no trophy, and that’s okay. We learn to be happy for the winner even when we are the loser, and we carry that maturity throughout the rest of our lives.
Third, competition helps us identify both our strengths and our weaknesses.
I can admit it now: my brother was better at math. He still is (don’t tell him I said so). But instead of resenting that fact, I learned to overcome my prideful independence and ask for help. Likewise, because I was better at English/Language Arts, I helped him with his college application essays. This back-and-forth taught me that competition does not have to cancel out service. In fact, it often refines it. When we support each other, even while striving to win, God uses both our strengths and our weaknesses to shape our character and to serve others.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul wrote:
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
These verses have taken on new meaning for me as an educator. What once felt like losing now feels like learning. What once felt like weakness now feels like strength. And I recognize that, while participation trophies aren’t all bad, our students also need to know that when they stand at the top of the winners’ podium, they can lend a hand to help those who are still climbing. When they are at the bottom, it is valuable to strive for the top, even if it takes more effort. But most importantly, even when we identify areas where we are weak, we can praise God for His ability to make us strong.
In the end, being a twin didn’t just give me a childhood full of races, dares, and impromptu contests, it gave me lifelong lessons in resilience, humility, and the true definition of success. These are the lessons we wish to impart to our Christ Classical Academy of Charlotte students as well. Instead of breath-holding competitions, however, we instill these lessons on the playground by allowing students to race and play football or tag. We encourage them in athletics and P.E. We promote them in academic settings through the Speech Meet, Spelling Bee, “House” competitions, Awards Day, Honor Rolls, spring drama auditions, grades, report cards, and beyond.  A little “healthy competition” helps us all to better ourselves AND one another.
And just for the record, yes, I can still tread water longer! (If you’re reading this, Joseph, let’s settle it once and for all. Meet me at the pool. Loser buys dinner.)