Olympians Making A Difference In Our Lives

People all over the world sit down together every four years to watch some of the best athletes on earth compete in obscure and often dangerous sports. Athletes ski down a hill at 70 mph, soar through the air with no parachute and no net, slide face first down an ice chute at speeds up to 80 mph, and jump moguls doing back flips on skis. On slick ice they perform amazing athletic feats on thin blades of steel in synchronized movements with absolute grace, or race around a rink pulling up to 3G's as they round each corner with seeming ease. While we sit on the edge of our seat holding our breath completely mesmerized. These feats are a show of what can be achieved when a person focuses on ONE single purpose.

It's the Olympian's efforts that capture us all. The cameras capture anxious faces of moms, dads, siblings, coaches and friends, hopeful and expectant as they watch loved ones put everything on the line in one two-minute program, one downhill run, one hold-your-breath shot. And we watch as those same faces crumble, or resolve to be brave, or break down in tears — for joy or heartbreak. The Olympics are about sharing your trials and tribulations with those we are blessed enough to call family. Just as in real life, which is why these moments in the Olympics touch us so much, we identify. Who didn't tear up win Bode Miller won his Bronze medal, and then cried when interviewed by the aggressive interviewer? Or who didn't get a lump in their throat when Canada's Alex Bilodeau embraced his brother Frederic after winning the men's freestyle skiing moguls competition?

We're all just human, and life is going to get the best of us from time to time. Because life, like the Olympics, can be a rocky road from time to time. The important thing is you keep pushing on. Some of us will become world champions through our grit and determination. Even if we don't as in the Olympics, the effort and just being at the main event is THE accomplishment.

We learn to accept not just our best accomplishments, but even our mistakes, as displayed in the

closing ceremonies. The creative director of the Sochi games poked fun at the opening ceremony ring-lighting malfunction, by having one group of the Olympic ring purposefully pause before expanding into the complete ring, and full 5 ring icon. We learn not just tolerance for others but respect. We feel respect for the Russian ice figure skater who won gold, because she did display an amazingly awesome performance. We have gotten to know her as an athlete, not just a Russian. We recognize all these new faces and for just a moment, seeing them stream in front of the camera, we feel part of a bigger narrative. We feel inspired to go out into our own world, find our single purpose, and be the best we can be. We realize we can create our own gold medal moments in life, and that’s the best thing about the Olympic Games.