As I watched the Olympic medal ceremonies on TV, I realized the honor of receiving a gold medal and having your country’s national anthem played is something that could make up for dedicating years of your life to a sport.
As the TV cameras zoomed in on the victorious athletes, their faces showed a variety of expressions and thoughts. Some concentrated on the flag and the music, oblivious to their surroundings. One Canadian winner mouthed the words of the anthem as it was played. And most people in Canada likely identified with being a Canadian when our anthem was played after the double-scull competitions.
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Do we need an Olympic Games in order to rise up to the occasion of personal and national pride? Can we stand up for our principles, beliefs and pride, both in ourselves and our country on a regular basis? What would be the key in getting this to happen?
The ideals of an Olympic competition include respect for rules and others, concentration on the task and giving of oneself to the sport. Life presents all of us with tasks of Olympic nature at various times. But unfortunately, these tasks aren’t much of a game. Tragedies, set-backs, disappointments, bereavement and loss of relationships or jobs are equally as challenging and equally as important to us as we struggle with the Olympics of living.
We must respect and honor ourselves. We must focus on our positive abilities. If not, by default we’ll focus on the negatives, with disastrous results. We must respect others, and to do that we must take the time and energy needed to understand them. People may be different than us. It doesn’t mean they are any less important or worthy.
We need to respect the rules of life. We may not like some of them. Governments, other institutions and even other people often come up with what seem to be very foolish ideas and rules. But the best way to change an injustice is usually from within, not by bombarding it from the outside. You can respect something and try to change it at the same time.
Concentration can be difficult in life. Any worthwhile task requires concentration. But if we aren’t used to doing it, it seems not only hard but impossible. We can discipline ourselves.
Giving ourselves to life is rewarding as long we aren’t hurting ourselves in the process. Trusting someone completely is wonderful. Continuing with that complete trust after you know they aren’t trustworthy only hurts yourself.
Taking care of yourself, giving it your best and constantly improving yourself by setting increasingly difficult goal, are just as important in our life as they are for Olympic athletes. So, keep in condition. It will pay off later.
