It seems like ever since I have been able to distinguish the difference between a "nice" guy and not a "nice" guy, it is always said that the "nice" guys finish last. This sentiment is ingrained in pop culture, music, social situations and many other forms of media. It is such a prevalent force, that it almost seems to be self-fulfilling because we are constantly bombarded with that expectation. I will be the first to tell you, that to some degree, that is true, especially early in life, but as with most things, it is not the whole story.
I have had the unfortunate pleasure of being a nice guy my entire life, or at least for the most part and I by no means feel as if I finish last, but then again, the race is far from over. There are very many things I have missed out on because of my alignment toward the nice side of my gender, but they always seem rather superficial and overall hollow, so in the long run I don't really miss out at all. Besides, I still take my shots when I get 'em and that is part of being a nice guy. As a good friend of mine once said. "You're an idiot if you don't dance." As a nice guy, when given the opportunity to dance, you can dance and if you end up with two left feet and fall on your face, it is perfectly fine, because as a nice guy, you can fix any damage you may have caused, not only that, you legitimately want to fix it.
If you truly consider yourself among the ranks of the nice guys, it no longer becomes about the place you finish in. Now I know that sounds like an excuse, used to make all us losers of nice guys feel better, but it is the truth. We can go for it, give it our all and get shot down, crash and burn and still get up the next day and be your friend. The race is about the people you run alongside, not who gets to the end first. Nobody ever seems to consider that maybe all the nice guys lag behind so they can help those who stumble and fall. Gathering as large a group of fellow runners as they can for the race, after all, it is supposed to be about "enjoying the ride" not trying to win.
So sure, it may be true the nice guys are destined to finish last, but when they cross that line they have the most people cheering for them and the most love and friendship as their trophy. Don't let chances pass you by, you're an idiot if you don't dance, but once you've tried, regardless of the outcome, just keep being a nice guy. Don't let hardships change you, don't let friendships fade, keep on holding the nice guy banner high, we are few and far between so let everyone know where you are and where you stand. Let all those you care for know that you are there for them and you are not going anywhere, regardless of the past, present or future, the nice guy remains steadfast.
We will never defeat the douche bags of the world, nor can we redeem our gender to all the women of the world, but those we meet along the way, we can show them how it should be. From friends to lovers and everything in between it is the nice guys that hold it all together. It is a tough life, but it is more than worth it.
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