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Be a Good Winner AND a Good Loser
By Kathy Moore Edgren
Used with permission

BE A GOOD WINNER
1. Be A Gracious Winner

When you win, share the praise!

"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;  someone else, and not your own lips." -Proverbs 27:2

2. Play By the Rules

Breaking the rules is Cheating!!!

"Do not steal." -Exodus 20:15

3. Praise the Good in Others

Cheer on your teammates! Congratulate the winner. Use your words to be encouraging.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." -Ephesians 4:29

4. Respect Those In Charge

Always show respect to those in charge of the games.
There are rules and the officials are there to enforce them in order to keep the game honest, fun and well-played.

"He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded." -Proverbs 13:13

5. Teach Others to be Successful

A good winner takes time to help others succeed. A good winner is a role model and a coach.

"Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD." -Psalms 34:11

BE A GOOD LOSER
6. Learn from Your Mistakes

A good loser learns from his mistakes.

"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding." -Proverbs 3:13

7. Avoid Put Downs

A good loser doesn't gain friends by putting others down.
Throwing a temper tantrum is not the way to be a gracious loser.

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."-James 1:19 

8. Congratulate the Winner

Tell the winners you are proud of them and be a cheerful loser.

"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." -Matthew 23:12 

9. Build the Whole Team

Invest in the team—help others be good winners!!

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up." -Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a

10. Return to Play Another Day
A good loser doesn't quit. He or she prepares for the next game and comes back to win.

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." -Proverbs 21:5

Thank you, Kathy, for sharing your work with me!  I think this is wonderful, and will bless many families!