This is hot off my mental press, but I don’t expect it to make the news headlines.

“Don’t Be a Sore Loser!” And it has nothing to do with being country but everything to do with having good character.

In last night’s episode of the Andy Griffith Show, Andy said you must be a ‘mature human being’ not a ‘sore loser.’ Otherwise, you’re a SIGHT!

I imagine ‘a sight’ means you’re a MESS!

I know everyone wants to achieve and arrive at their destination. Everyone wants to be a winner.

Andy told his son Opie to tell his friends that he was proud of them and be a good loser. Opie said, “But I want to be a good winner.” Opie no longer thought of them as his friends; he said, “They beat me and got my medal.”

Maybe someone got your medal or job you thought you deserved.

The moral of the story is it’s okay to be unhappy about losing or not winning a medal or prize. It’s okay to be sad about missed opportunities relative to your dreams or ambitions.

But don’t be a sore loser.

Try to be a ‘next time’ winner until you get the prize or dream.

When someone else gets the prize, we must be mature and show good sportsmanship. Teaching a child this moral principle isn’t easy.

But convincing an adult to be mature about losing maybe almost impossible.

There were plenty of times that I didn’t win but thought I was deserving.

I remember when I bided on this manager’s job. I had the experience and abilities to take the team to the next level. But a male applicant got the job.

I was sorely disappointed, and to add salt to the wound, that male became my boss. We worked together and had a successful team. Already friends, we became better friends.

There’s not much difference between the soreness of a child and an adult’s disappointment.

Disappointment hurts. Losing hurts.

A winner has no problem showing good sportsmanship.

The loser has an opportunity that the winner doesn’t— NOT TO BE A SORE LOSER.

Our Christianity is frequently tested to do the right thing when we lose.

I’ve lost, but I’ve never been a loser.

If you’re an adult who finds it difficult to deal with losing, do the following:

Remember to do the Christian thing.

Remember to do what your Dad said.

Remember to do what your Mom said.

Don’t be a sore loser!

Stay safe.