I was telling my husband last night at supper how I love the spirit of the Olympics. We dare to dream big again. We are inspired and moved and motivated and challenged. We hear stories of triumph and victory. We rejoice with the medal winners as their years of hard work and sweat and time and tears have paid off. BUT, we also cry with those who come up a little short. They too put in hours and hours and hours training, but they aren't going home with any hardware to show for their efforts. Was all that time and work and sweat pointless then? NO! Not at all...
In fact, I learned something quite profound from someone who went home empty handed.
You might know of him.
Shaun White has been the reigning champion of the half pipe for 8 years, winning gold in Torino AND Vancouver. He was expected to come out on top again this year. But he didn't. He didn't even come in second. Or third. He finished just off the medal stand in 4th place. Sometimes I think that just might be the hardest place to be. So close, and yet so very far away from reaching your goals, from seeing your wildest dreams come true.
What happened with Shaun White really hit me. I wonder if his competitors went into the Sochi Olympics thinking they really truly had a chance of winning gold. I know I personally assumed Shaun White would defend his title and come away with his third gold medal. I mean, he's Shaun White. He's basically written the book for tricks done in the half pipe competitions around the world. He can't be beaten.
Oh, but he was.
Imagine how things would have been different if Shaun White's competitors would have thought like I did.
We can't beat him. He's Shaun White. He's the best and always will be. No way I can be better than him. Why even try. Why bother. I'm just going to go home. In fact, I'm not even going to go to the Olympics in the first place. I don't want to come up short. I don't want to be disappointed. I'll never win. I want to and it's my dream, but no way it can happen if Shaun White is there. Let's just give him the gold medal and save ourselves the time.
Honestly, I don't even know who did win. Or who got 2nd or 3rd. I just know Shaun White got 4th.
I also know that the medal winners are pretty excited they didn't just give up and go home. I am confident they are glad they kept working hard and trained and put in hours and hours on the snow to learn new tricks and improve their skills. I am sure they looking at their medals with pride, may even disbelief. I am positive they are glad they dreamed big and set their goals high.
So, what about YOU?
Do you have dreams? Have you set some goals?
But then you think...I'll never really be able to do that.
Do you compare yourself to someone else who is "on top?" Do you feel like you'll never be able to be where they are, that you'll never be able to do what they do?
STOP!!!
You CAN do it.
Louri Podladtchikov did. He beat Shaun White. (I googled it just now)
If he can win, so can you.
I don't know what your goals or dreams may be. BUT, I do know you can accomplish them. You can.
Yes, you might have to work hard and put in time and energy. You might sweat or cry. BUT, when you reach your goal and when you see your dream become a reality, it's all worth it.
Just ask Louri.
Or any Olympic medal winner -- gold, silver, or bronze.
Even if you're not setting out to win the Olympics, your goals and dreams are worthy. Look deep into your heart and see what passions and desires God has placed there. Ask yourself what He might want to do with your life. How might He want to use you? Don't compare yourself to others. Don't make excuses. Don't think you can't do it, whatever IT is.
YOU CAN!
And so can I!
So, let's do it together!!! Team work always makes things better, and easier! Why don't we come together and support each other? I would love to encourage you and keep each other accountable.
Best part, we don't have to wait until 2018 to win gold (or 2016 if you're going for the summer Olympics in Rio). We can start working on reaching our goals TODAY. We can start making our dreams a reality TODAY.
Seriously, let's do this!!! I know WE CAN!!!
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