Ouch! Oh, the means we take to console ourselves, right?

I think being first is important to some of us.

Name me 10 great losers. Trouble is my middle name.
Happy New Year everybody. Steve in Baltimore County.

Not being first doesn't make anyone a loser, Steve. Nor does being last in my opinion, it simply means you might be in the wrong race.

Love it, Sheila!

Don't think that was a very good answer. Steve in Baltimore County.

"it simply means you might be in the wrong race". Good one.

A certain amount of competitive spirit can be a good thing, but like everything else, it can be a heavy burden if everything in life is a race you must win. I think that is what keeps some people from even trying.

When I enter competitions, of course I'd like to win, lol. But, it's still a good feeling when you don't, if you've managed to exceed your own personal best.

Joann used to do Endurance Horse Racing, 50 miles cross country. Their slogan used to be: "To finish is to win"
and add to this: ...with your horse in excellent condition
That is a very good thought.

Guess it depends on how you look at it . I think being a guinea pig has it's drawbacks..in technology,films,new foods etc. etc. etc. Let others be first and there will always be those clamoring for that.I'll gladly wait until some of the evidence comes in before deciding if I even want to join in on that particular race.

Marda, I like Alexander Pope's take on jumping into things:

In Words, as Fashions, the same Rule will hold;
Alike Fantastick, if too New, or Old;
Be not the first by whom the New are try'd,
Nor yet the last to lay the Old aside.

josh

But what did SHE mean? About being a female Supreme Court Justice-to not be the last means that you did your job well so that other women would be considered. If you screwed it up people would say-"See! Women can't do this!" I don't think it had anything to do with contests or races.

Well duh...you're right Marilyn. That's probably exactly what she meant since she was first woman on the Supreme Court. It would be difficult to be the first of anything in job, ( age,sex,race,religion,whatever) and know that possibly because of how well you do your job,you could be the only one.