I have been watching the Olympics on TV. Not that I’m particularly into winter sports, or, for that matter, anything done in cold weather. However, I am absolutely drawn and fascinated by the athletes, these beautiful young people from around the world who have not only dedicated their lives to their art, but in so many cases have come back from injury and pain that would leave the average person flat on their backs or crippled for life.
What is it that drives someone to spend years and years giving their life to preparing for a race or performance that takes only moments to complete and could be over in less time than that as the result of an inadvertent fall or the poor judgement of another? Is it the simple pursuit of gold and the acquisition of fame and fortune that such victory can bring? Is it the drive to achieve perfection, to feel the exhilaration of that moment when everything comes into focus and time stands still? Is it nationalistic in origin, a desire to show that my country is better than yours? Or is it that you’ve got to do something with your time and this sure beats working for a living?
I’d like to think that none of the above are the reasons that drive these young athletes. I’d like to think that the deep inner drive that motivates and moves them is purely and simply, that it is fun! I’d like to think that they can’t wait to get up in the morning because it means another day of practice and there’s nothing else they’d rather do, that they’re motivated by the pure unmitigated joy of doing what they’re doing. That is a life worth living.
Many many years ago when I was a little boy and still channeling my parents’ atheism, I remember feeling that “if there were a God, He’d let you know what to do by what you wanted to do.” Imagine my surprise half a century later when, having had my encounter with the ineffable, I learned that, indeed, this is how one connects with the Divine. The deeper you go, the deeper the connection. Is it any wonder that we see some performances that seem absolutely incredible and other-worldly inspired.
A Native-American friend of mine once commented on his dislike for competition in general and the Olympics in particular. “If I win,” he said, “you lose. So what’s been gained in the balance?”
For me what’s gained is found in rooting for humanity rather than an individual. Do your best, one and all. Go faster, higher, stronger and reach for the stars. By tuning into your deepest self and loving what you do, you’ll help us all achieve the finest we are capable of. And that, regardless of the anthem played, is something worth cheering for.
peace………………ag
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