“Second place is just the first loser” is a well-known saying from the legendary NASCAR champion Dale Eamhardt. Or as my father put it jokingly, “It’s not enough to win. Your friends have to lose too.” We may not want others to know our thoughts, but many of us think this way, because we are born to compete with each other. However, if left unmanaged, this can create disagreements between ourselves and others. Fortunately, there is a way to solve this problem: instead of always going for gold, aim for the bronze (铜牌) .

To expand on the wisdom of Earnhardt, let’s put it another way: although second place may be the first loser, third place can be the real winner, at least when it comes to happiness. A 1995 study discovered that bronze winners appeared happier on average than silver medalists, while another research in 2018 studied U.S. athletes in the Olympics from 1904 to 1936 and found that those whose best performance was silver lived to 72 on average. Gold medalists beat this by living to 76 But the first prize went to the bronze winners, who lived to 78.

The social concepts of upward and downward comparison help explain the difference. Silver medalists see themselves as the first loser because they compare themselves only with the champions. However, the bronze winners compare downwards with those who have never made it onto the podium at all. Therefore, they feel better about themselves and thus, happier. The feeling shows up in improved health. In fact, researchers have found that comparing ourselves with the unfortunate ones can help prevent a negative mood. The comparison is not from a feeling of ill will, but because rewards in life are relative (相对的).

The worldly happiness strategy of working for gold every day is foolish. Stop spending most of your time feeling like a silver medalist or always relying your happiness on a single result. Rather, aim for healthy competitions in which you do your best without the expectation of being the top winner.

Most Incredible Stadiums (体育馆) in North America

If you are a big fan of massive stadiums and are unaware of where these beautiful stadiums are located, here is a list of four largest stadiums in North America.

Michigan Stadium

Would you be surprised to know that the second largest stadium in the world is a college football stadium? That’s right. Michigan Stadium, home of the University of Michigan Wolverines, is the largest stadium in the United States and the second-largest stadium in the world. It has a capacity of 107,601. When you see Michigan Stadium, you know you’re talking about college football.

Olympic Stadium

Located in north Canada, this stadium was used for the Montreal Expos, but now is carefully used for soccer games. In fact, it’s set to host some World Cup games in 2026, but anybody who’s been inside can tell you it’s not a stadium fit to host such a big event.

Estadio Azteca

Maybe it’s not the nicest, but it is a must-visit stadium in Mexico. Lying in the suburbs of Mexico City, it is the stadium that hosts the national soccer game in Mexico. When the 1970 World Cup was there, it hosted 10 matches, including the semi-final, and the final between Brazil and Italy. Estadıo Azteca is the largest stadium in Mexico, with a capacity of 87,523.

Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden is one of the best stadiums in North America, and not just for sports, but for concerts and other events as well. If you are traveling into New York City by train, you will see the stadium right as you enter the city, above the train station. Before you get to your seats, the outskirts of the stadium actually look like a high-end hotel. It won’t disappoint you.