There is a great lyric in the song, Ripple, that says, “reach out your hand, if your cup be empty. If your cup is full, may it be again. Let it be known, there is a fountain that was not made by the hands of men”.

Now, I’m not about to assume this is a Christian song. However, I do value what is being expressed here.

We live in such a fast paced, competitive world, we can forget, or get distracted away from the simple beauties in life. Such as kindness, generosity, goodness, faith, hope, and of course, love.

The heart felt desire that expresses “you can’t compete with me because I want you to win too,” can be lost on us. We want to win, and may not wish harm on another, but we definitely aren’t thinking about helping them win. We want the prize – whatever that may be.

But the real prize is found in embracing our humanity without forfeiting our soul.

We can do and be both – human and whole hearted. Our heart doesn’t have to grow hard. Rather, we can want well for ourselves and others.

We can share with those in need, and we can even humble ourselves to hold out our hand when we are in need. Not for money – but for help. We don’t have to go it alone. There is goodness still to be found.

Wanting others to win often and to be overflowing may not be natural, but it is supernatural. This is how God operates, and helps us learn to be – to see and live beyond our wants and needs, and to be a resource to others and a blessing to their well being.

May your cups be full, over and over again, and may we always be open to help others fill their cups, available to the opportunities and invitations that come our way to rally and help others win – to cheer when they do and to live free from the comparisons and competitions that merely seek to harden what God desires to soften.