Sometimes the lessons in life come in unexpected packages.  I recall a varsity high school soccer match I played in nearly 21 years ago against a team that was, according to the statistics, less capable than ours.  They apparently knew the odds and instead of giving their best, they came out playing using tactics that could only be described as ungentlemanlike conduct.  They employed cheap shots, malicious physical attacks on our better players and just about every dirty trick in the book, albeit just out of view of the referee.  

Being young and impulsive, our puerile reaction was to simply strike back.  The match became increasingly more physical, more about war and less about giving our best and by half-time both teams had suffered injuries and penalties and the score was tied at 0-0.  In our half-time strategy huddle I recall Coach Douse speaking words of wisdom that have stuck with me to this day.  

“Never play to the level of your opponent,” he implored, “always give 110% of what you are capable of giving.”  I knew instantly what he meant and corrected my approach as soon as I set foot on the field for the second half.  Not only did my experience change dramatically, but so did the game.  There were no more injuries to our team.  We ended up winning according to the scoreboard, but in my mind and heart the true victory was to have discovered the power of giving your best in all things, regardless of what is going on roundabout.  

If you find yourself “fighting fire with fire” or “seeking an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” I encourage you to remember this life lesson.  Nothing generative can come from such an approach.  In fact, such an approach constrains to a life of unrelenting tension, bitterness and regret.  Live to your fullest potential, whatever that might be.  Your might experience successes and failures along the way, but your character will deepen over time and the world will be a better place if you do so.  

Our world is short of those who consistently take the high road.  Is anything in life worth lowering your standards for?  Why not choose the road of integrity?  It is simple.  You can start by changing the bad habit of reacting to what surrounds you to a new habit of giving it your all, not matter how compelled you feel to take a cheap shot or deliver a low blow.  At the end of the day, “offense given” is rendered impotent by refusing to take offense.