This will be my final Olympic lesson, although there is so much more to be learned from all those amazing athletes. For some, this may also be one of the most important lessons. I dedicate this blog to the Vancouver Olympic Planning Committee.
I'm sure Vancouver started planning their opening ceremony even before it was announced they would be the host city. Over four years of preparation to make sure everything would be perfect. Every detail checked and re-checked and then checked again. I can't imagine the magnitude of stress the committee felt.
The opening ceremonies were phenomenal. My favorite part was when the whales swam across the arena and mist blew into the air as if they were surfacing for breath. That was AWESOME! The whole show was magical. It couldn't have been more perfect, until... it was time for the torch. Four holes opened in the floor, but only three pilars rose up. Something went wrong with the fourth pilar so it never appeared. That was the only flaw in the enthralling performance.
During the two weeks of competition, the Committee could have let the mistake slip into oblivion. However, when it came time for the closing ceremonies, a clown came out of the hole in the floor where the fourth pilar lay dormant. He grabbed two plugs and hooked them together. Sparks flew, and the fourth pilar came up. They had turned the flub into a comical moment for all the world to laugh.
What a perfect ending to a wonderful story. What a perfect lesson for me to learn. We will all make mistakes throughout our lives. We get upset, we cry, we pull our hair out, we yell, we scream, etc. What we really should be doing is gleaning the lessons we can learn from the mistake and then laugh at how silly it all is in the bigger scheme of things.
Congratulations Vancouver Olympic Planning Committee for putting together a wonderful two weeks!!! You deserve a gold medal for all your hard work! And thank you for not taking yourselves too seriously! We all need to laugh a little more!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Olympic Lesson #6
Living in the Treasure Valley, the local news media mainly focused on the Olympic athletes that had roots here in Idaho. Each night we heard updates on how Jeret "Speedy" Peterson was doing. Little by little, his story came to light.
He lost his sister in a car accident. His parents divorced. As a youth Jeret demonstrated an amazing talent for Aerial skiing. In fact, at the age of 16 he made the U.S. Ski Team. He participated in the 2002 Olympics. He watched as his roommate commited suicide. He was the favorite to win Gold at the 2006 Winter Games, but fell short. This failure (the seeming proverbial "straw") sent him into a self-destructive tailspin that nearly had him take his own life.
Somewhere in all the turmoil he was going through, he found his ray of hope and hasn't let go of it since. Now he has earned himself a Silver Medal, and he has his eyes set on Gold the next time around.
If you find yourself, as Rascal Flats sings,"in a place so dark, you couldn't feel the light" I hope you will remember Speedy Peterson. I know I will! No matter what you are going through in life, you CAN make it through to find something wonderful waiting for you.
As a wise mother once told her son, "Come what may, and love it!" Keep that hope in your heart that there is a reason for your trials, lessons to be learned, and blessing to be had.
Congratulations, Jeret Peterson, on making it through the darkness and finding that SILVER lining!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
He lost his sister in a car accident. His parents divorced. As a youth Jeret demonstrated an amazing talent for Aerial skiing. In fact, at the age of 16 he made the U.S. Ski Team. He participated in the 2002 Olympics. He watched as his roommate commited suicide. He was the favorite to win Gold at the 2006 Winter Games, but fell short. This failure (the seeming proverbial "straw") sent him into a self-destructive tailspin that nearly had him take his own life.
Somewhere in all the turmoil he was going through, he found his ray of hope and hasn't let go of it since. Now he has earned himself a Silver Medal, and he has his eyes set on Gold the next time around.
If you find yourself, as Rascal Flats sings,"in a place so dark, you couldn't feel the light" I hope you will remember Speedy Peterson. I know I will! No matter what you are going through in life, you CAN make it through to find something wonderful waiting for you.
As a wise mother once told her son, "Come what may, and love it!" Keep that hope in your heart that there is a reason for your trials, lessons to be learned, and blessing to be had.
Congratulations, Jeret Peterson, on making it through the darkness and finding that SILVER lining!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Olympic Lesson #5
Throughout our lives we are all faced with challenges and triumphs that stir strong emotions within us. What do we do with those emotions? As for me, its like playing Pound-a-Mole at the carnival. Any time an emotions pops up I hammer it back down into its little hole. Why? Simple embarrassment.
Julia Mancuso was more lenient with her emotions during the Winter Games. When she won her silver medal in the Downhill, she danced on the podium with a tiara and and big smile. When her excellent slalom start was halted by her teammates crash, she broke down in tears of frustration. She had to vent a little and then she refocused.
Emotions are a part of all of us. If you watch children, their emotions run free. They may have some untimely outbursts, but afterward they are liberated to carry on with their lives. As adults we've learned to squelch our emotions. We bottle them, put a cork on them, and let them age. It seems, though, that the aging process only serves to make them more volatile. Then, like nitroglycerin, with the slightest jostle there comes a massive explosion.
Julia may have received some flac for her outburst, but sometimes you just need to cry. Like all natural things, emotions should be set free and not kept caged up. It may not be pretty, but we can feel so much better afterward.
Thank you, Julia Mancuso, for showing your human side. It IS okay to cry. Congratulations on your two well deserved silver medals!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Julia Mancuso was more lenient with her emotions during the Winter Games. When she won her silver medal in the Downhill, she danced on the podium with a tiara and and big smile. When her excellent slalom start was halted by her teammates crash, she broke down in tears of frustration. She had to vent a little and then she refocused.
Emotions are a part of all of us. If you watch children, their emotions run free. They may have some untimely outbursts, but afterward they are liberated to carry on with their lives. As adults we've learned to squelch our emotions. We bottle them, put a cork on them, and let them age. It seems, though, that the aging process only serves to make them more volatile. Then, like nitroglycerin, with the slightest jostle there comes a massive explosion.
Julia may have received some flac for her outburst, but sometimes you just need to cry. Like all natural things, emotions should be set free and not kept caged up. It may not be pretty, but we can feel so much better afterward.
Thank you, Julia Mancuso, for showing your human side. It IS okay to cry. Congratulations on your two well deserved silver medals!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Olympic Lesson #4
I don't know about you, but I was pretty excited that the U.S. and Canada hockey teams were playing for the Gold Medal. Although, after the first two goals by Canada, I got discouraged and turned off the television. When I returned to watch the highlights I couldn't beleive that the Americans had tied the score and the game had gone into overtime. What a nail-biter!
Then... I watched the Canadians score the winning goal. The U.S. goalie was down on his knees when the puck slipped passed him. In wretched despair he fell to his face on the ice. I can imagine the defeated thoughts that poured into his mind at that moment.
Afterward, a reporter managed to pull the goalie aside for an interview. You could tell he didn't want to answer any questions. His eyes were glazed over and he didn't smile once. It was hard to watch. I really felt sorry for him.
Much to my surprise and relief, later that evening at the closing ceremonies, they captured that same goalie walking into the stadium laughing and chatting with his friends while recording what was happening around him. I almost didn't recognize him until the announcer pointed him out. He was a completely different person -- almost Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-ish. I was so impressed with his RESILLIANCE!
We will all, at one time or another, face failure in our lives. The hard part comes in accepting it, learning from it, moving on, and knowing it will be okay. The lesson for me to work on is -- to love myself enough to realize that no matter what happens in life, I will still be me (hopefully wiser) and that is enough.
Congratulations, Canada, for showing the world that you are still the masters of hockey! And thank you, U.S. hockey goalie, for not letting this defeat really defeat you. In such a well-played game, it's hard for me to declare a loser.
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Then... I watched the Canadians score the winning goal. The U.S. goalie was down on his knees when the puck slipped passed him. In wretched despair he fell to his face on the ice. I can imagine the defeated thoughts that poured into his mind at that moment.
Afterward, a reporter managed to pull the goalie aside for an interview. You could tell he didn't want to answer any questions. His eyes were glazed over and he didn't smile once. It was hard to watch. I really felt sorry for him.
Much to my surprise and relief, later that evening at the closing ceremonies, they captured that same goalie walking into the stadium laughing and chatting with his friends while recording what was happening around him. I almost didn't recognize him until the announcer pointed him out. He was a completely different person -- almost Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-ish. I was so impressed with his RESILLIANCE!
We will all, at one time or another, face failure in our lives. The hard part comes in accepting it, learning from it, moving on, and knowing it will be okay. The lesson for me to work on is -- to love myself enough to realize that no matter what happens in life, I will still be me (hopefully wiser) and that is enough.
Congratulations, Canada, for showing the world that you are still the masters of hockey! And thank you, U.S. hockey goalie, for not letting this defeat really defeat you. In such a well-played game, it's hard for me to declare a loser.
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Olympic lesson #3
This lesson is one of my favorites from the Winter Games.
I was scanning through some highlight clips of the speed skating events when I came across a picture of a German skater sprawled on her belly, arms and legs flailing a little, sliding across the finish line.
With my curiosity piqued, I clicked to watch the full video. The race was Womens Team Pursuit. It is a distance relay where three skaters on the same team skate in line and switch leads every so often. The race had been long, and I'm sure the skaters thighs and buns were burning with fatigue.
At the very end, coming down to the finish line, Anna Friesinger-Postma faltered and fell a little behind her teammates. She fought to catch up, but just before the finish line, she lost her balance and went down. Since it is the last skater's skate to cross the line that stops the clock, Anna nearly did the splits to get her foot across the line.
She put her head in her arms in defeat and pounded the ice with her fist as she continued to slide. Her body language screamed frustration at letting her team down. They had the lead, and she thought she had lost it.
When she finally lifted her head to look at the results, her anguish turned to surprise, then to relief, and finally triumph. Even though she had made a terrible error, she still managed to win.
The trials we face in life will wear us down. Our muscles -- physical or mental or spiritual-- may burn with the exertion. We may lose our balance and fall down. However, even when we are flailing on the ground, we can still be moving forward. We can still finish the race. And, maybe -- just maybe -- we might even win.
I love the motto from the movie Galaxy Quest - NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER SURRENDER!
Thank you Anna for fighting to the end! Congratulations on your accomplishments!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
I was scanning through some highlight clips of the speed skating events when I came across a picture of a German skater sprawled on her belly, arms and legs flailing a little, sliding across the finish line.
With my curiosity piqued, I clicked to watch the full video. The race was Womens Team Pursuit. It is a distance relay where three skaters on the same team skate in line and switch leads every so often. The race had been long, and I'm sure the skaters thighs and buns were burning with fatigue.
At the very end, coming down to the finish line, Anna Friesinger-Postma faltered and fell a little behind her teammates. She fought to catch up, but just before the finish line, she lost her balance and went down. Since it is the last skater's skate to cross the line that stops the clock, Anna nearly did the splits to get her foot across the line.
She put her head in her arms in defeat and pounded the ice with her fist as she continued to slide. Her body language screamed frustration at letting her team down. They had the lead, and she thought she had lost it.
When she finally lifted her head to look at the results, her anguish turned to surprise, then to relief, and finally triumph. Even though she had made a terrible error, she still managed to win.
The trials we face in life will wear us down. Our muscles -- physical or mental or spiritual-- may burn with the exertion. We may lose our balance and fall down. However, even when we are flailing on the ground, we can still be moving forward. We can still finish the race. And, maybe -- just maybe -- we might even win.
I love the motto from the movie Galaxy Quest - NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER SURRENDER!
Thank you Anna for fighting to the end! Congratulations on your accomplishments!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Olympic Lesson #2
Two words: JOANNIE ROCHETTE
I'm not sure I need to say any more. Just seeing her name conjures feelings of respect and admiration. Oh! To have such determination, grace and poise!
Her skating was a perfect venue to channel her emotions. As the announcer proclaimed, "To skate in the moment means much more than the competition." Rarely have I seen anything more beautiful that someone caught living in the moment. Magic happens in "the moment".
The lesson I take from this tremendous Bronze medalist is to learn to take each moment and realize it has a purpose, good or bad. In those moments something magnificent can be found that opens our eyes to the bigger picture and changes us for good.
Thank you Joannie Rochette, and congratulations on your triumph!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!
I'm not sure I need to say any more. Just seeing her name conjures feelings of respect and admiration. Oh! To have such determination, grace and poise!
Her skating was a perfect venue to channel her emotions. As the announcer proclaimed, "To skate in the moment means much more than the competition." Rarely have I seen anything more beautiful that someone caught living in the moment. Magic happens in "the moment".
The lesson I take from this tremendous Bronze medalist is to learn to take each moment and realize it has a purpose, good or bad. In those moments something magnificent can be found that opens our eyes to the bigger picture and changes us for good.
Thank you Joannie Rochette, and congratulations on your triumph!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Olympic Lesson #1
Now that the 2010 Winter Olympics are over, I want to reflect back on lessons that I can learn from those amazing 17 days. I am a little sad that they are over. I was inspired to be faster, stronger, and to reach higher for my life-goals. Now, I must find a way to keep that flame burning inside of me.
So here is lesson #1:
Of course, it comes from Lindsey Vonn - the Olympic "cover-girl". Yes, you might be a little tired of hearing her name, but I really enjoyed watching her. She provides an excellent example of dedication, strength, fearlessness, and perseverance. I listened to one of her teammates describe her. She said that Lindsey reached a point in her career where she realized that talent could only take her so far. If she wanted to be the best she was going to have to work for it, and work HARD. Lindsey decided she wanted to do the work, and look where it got her!
Growing up I knew I had talent in a lot of areas, and that got me to a nice place without any seriously hard work. I had fun. I never realized that if I really wanted to achieve my dreams I would have to dig down deep and WORK for them. Maybe I came to this realization a little later in life, BUT at least I realize it now. I have dreams that need to be reached! I have goals to fulfill! So, let's not be afraid of the hard work it takes to find fulfillment in this life.
This amazing skier has stumbled, fallen, and completely wiped out, on several occasions. Did that stop her? NO WAY! She got right back on those skis (after a little cheese therapy) and went for it again! After the first fall, my fear usually gets the best of me, and I bow my head in defeat. Well, NOT ANY MORE!!! I want to face my challenges and scream in their face, "BRING IT ON!!!" (with respectful humility, of course).
Lindsey, thank you for showing your example of dedication and desire to achieve greatness! Congratulations on reaching one of your dreams! Thank you for inspiring me to GET TO WORK to find the greatness within myself!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
So here is lesson #1:
Of course, it comes from Lindsey Vonn - the Olympic "cover-girl". Yes, you might be a little tired of hearing her name, but I really enjoyed watching her. She provides an excellent example of dedication, strength, fearlessness, and perseverance. I listened to one of her teammates describe her. She said that Lindsey reached a point in her career where she realized that talent could only take her so far. If she wanted to be the best she was going to have to work for it, and work HARD. Lindsey decided she wanted to do the work, and look where it got her!
Growing up I knew I had talent in a lot of areas, and that got me to a nice place without any seriously hard work. I had fun. I never realized that if I really wanted to achieve my dreams I would have to dig down deep and WORK for them. Maybe I came to this realization a little later in life, BUT at least I realize it now. I have dreams that need to be reached! I have goals to fulfill! So, let's not be afraid of the hard work it takes to find fulfillment in this life.
This amazing skier has stumbled, fallen, and completely wiped out, on several occasions. Did that stop her? NO WAY! She got right back on those skis (after a little cheese therapy) and went for it again! After the first fall, my fear usually gets the best of me, and I bow my head in defeat. Well, NOT ANY MORE!!! I want to face my challenges and scream in their face, "BRING IT ON!!!" (with respectful humility, of course).
Lindsey, thank you for showing your example of dedication and desire to achieve greatness! Congratulations on reaching one of your dreams! Thank you for inspiring me to GET TO WORK to find the greatness within myself!
CITIUS, ALTIUS, FORTIUS!!!
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