What’s a Win?
Let’s define a win. Since I'm a teacher, I’ll, of course, start with how Webster describes it: a transitive verb meaning “to get possession of by effort or good fortune.”
Not only is it defined, but it’s also categorized. Being identified as a transitive verb is important to understanding a win. The prefix trans means across, beyond, or through—which tells us something: a transitive verb requires a direct object (the thing being won).
So what does that mean for us? Wins come in all shapes and sizes. A win always points to something—it has direction and purpose. It’s not just a feeling; it’s something we find, claim, or recognize in our lives. Sometimes winning is intentional. And the beauty of it is that there are countless ways to experience wins, big and small.
I like to think of them in four categories:
Everyday Wins
Noteworthy Wins
Monumental Wins
The Ultimate Win
Everyday Wins
These are the little victories that sneak into our days—moments that make us smile, laugh, feel hope, or connect with someone else. A kind word, an answered text, laughter at just the right time, a sunrise that makes you pause, or even finishing a task you didn’t feel like doing. They don’t always stand out, but when we notice them, they remind us that joy can be found in the ordinary—or even in unexpected places. Sometimes the win is simply in paying attention, choosing gratitude, and recognizing that happiness often hides in the simple, everyday moments. And the best part? When we collect enough of these tiny wins, they add up to a day worth celebrating.
Noteworthy Wins
Noteworthy wins are the moments that stand out a little more—the ones you notice right away or the days when something just feels right. Maybe it’s unexpected good news, the perfect words arriving at just the right time, or a moment when your heart feels calm and at peace. Sometimes, though, these wins don’t come with fireworks—you have to pause and really look for them. A quiet blessing, a small breakthrough, or a glimmer of hope in the middle of a challenging day can be a noteworthy win, too.
For me, noteworthy wins often come when I see God’s word come to life in my own life. It’s those times when I have to pause because the perfect scripture comes to mind in the exact moment, helping everything make sense. The beauty lies in noticing these wins, celebrating them, and letting them remind us that even when life feels messy, there’s often more good around us than we first realize.
Monumental Wins
These are the life-defining moments, the turning points that shape who we are. They can be joyful milestones like a wedding, the birth of a child, stepping into a new career, or seeing a long-term dream become reality. But they can also come disguised in heartbreak: the loss of a loved one, a breakup, a move you didn’t want to make, or a door you never expected to close.
Monumental wins don’t always feel like wins in the moment—but with time, perspective, and faith, we begin to see how even the hardest seasons can become part of a bigger story of growth, resilience, and hope. Some of life’s most lasting victories are born in both the celebrations and the struggles. Finding these wins is often the hardest, but they’re also the most helpful in navigating the now. Trust me—I’ve been there. I’m still there.
I do this by stepping out of what makes sense to me, leaning in, and inviting my Creator to walk through that moment with me. After that, it simply takes time and patience—working through my emotions one at a time, with God, until I can begin to notice hints of a win. When we pay attention to those tiny hints, they can flourish and grow into something we can truly embrace. It can be difficult to remember in the midst of a storm, but it’s also the most rewarding—it brings peace, encouragement, and a sense of perspective right in the moment.
That’s what Living for the Win is all about: discovering the wins that ultimately lead us to the ultimate win.
The Ultimate Win
For me, this is the anchor for all other wins. It’s the peace that comes from the faith that I don’t walk through this life alone. I believe there is a loving Creator—the source of all good things—who desires to be in relationship with us. That relationship is my ultimate win. It brings meaning to my everyday victories, perspective to my noteworthy ones, and strength in the monumental moments that feel too heavy to carry.
Even if you see wins differently, my hope is that you will keep visiting Living for the Win as we navigate life together—to continue finding the wins. Because every win, big or small, is worth celebrating. Those celebrations lighten our days, warm our hearts, give our minds peace, and bring joy to our daily lives.