Losing to Win

Sometimes I really wonder what it means to win.

Does it mean that the result brings about a triumphant ending?
Or could winning actually mean... not losing as much as anticipated in the end?

Does winning necessitate a happy fairytale ending for all?
Or could it be a win-win situation, where everyone backs down and takes back a piece of shattered soul but moves on to greater happiness?

Are we too fixated with the notion of winning this race,
that we can't see that by trying so hard to win,
we are the biggest losers in the end?

Or, maybe winning is not everything, eventually.
It is knowing when to say no.