We Compete in Daily Olympics

Nearly 70 countries and territories, roughly ⅓ of the competing nations, do not have one Olympic medalist in any discipline, summer or winter.

Thousands of athletes participating at the Olympics never win a medal. Often, their Olympic experience is over in minutes after years of preparation.

Of course, Simone Biles, Summer McIntosh, Leon Marchand and others earn well deserved accolades, attention and ultimately the riches connected to stardom (including lucrative sponsorships).

However, we know the vast majority of athletes return home to local clubs/facilities, and for some time, while their bodies and resources hold out, continue their pursuit of personal bests.

There would be no Olympics or world championships without ALL the non-medalists. There would be little drama, and no riveting narrative of some unexpected breakthrough or awe inspiring ending.

Most of us do not have a trophy case full of medals or awards for being the best at something. And, as my psychologist friend Peter Jensen used to tell Canadian Olympic athletes, “if you don’t feel good about yourself before the gold medal, you won’t after you win one either.”

The “so what?” for me however, is that we get to achieve a medal or personal best everyday for how we treat ourselves and others. You might smirk at that statement as hopelessly simplistic, horribly old fashioned, or exceptionally naive?

However, what else really counts? Closets around the world are full of forgotten medals, trophies, rings and the like.

Alternatively, what would our “life trophy cases” look like if they captured our constructive treatment of others? What if they metaphorically filled up based on treating ourselves and others with love, care and respect? A full trophy case in that context would be truly a lasting legacy. Personal “bests” would take on additional purpose and significance.

Each of us is wildly imperfect, and we will treat ourselves and others poorly at times. However, we do not have to wait every four years to participate well in doing our best. We have 1,440 minutes every day to run our race. We get to win a life medal, however modest, every day and we don’t have to compete with anyone else to do that. Instead we get to abundantly give of ourselves to others. It doesn’t have to be big. Often, it’s simply offering our care and authentic attention. No podium or medal ceremony is required. In fact, this way of behaving is likely not even noticed or acknowledged. Yet, we’ll know, and what really adds up are the points that our souls find so nourishing.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now,

- Lorne

One Millennial View: You’re not supposed to watch a gold medalist at the Olympics and say to yourself, “Yeah, I could do that.” However, the behavior described above would be the easiest and most attainable event to qualify for, and we certainly don’t need 10,000+ hours of practice to do our best with it.

- Garrett

We Compete in Daily Olympics

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