Every four years I watch some of the Olympics and am always in awe of what humans can achieve. Just putting on an event of this magnitude is an Olympic feat. For me, it is also the wonder of it being held almost without interruption for 128 years and having roots going back to ancient times. Yes, there are politics and scandals and controversies but it is still a wonderful showcase of human capability. A moment in time.
I have never been an athlete or even a sports fan but I’m irresistibly drawn to witness their feats of strength, resilience, determination, and teamwork. I always root for the USA, of course, but I also root for the underdogs and I’m especially happy when individuals/countries take medals for the first time. Way to go St. Lucia (track) and Brazil (gymnastics)! I admit to tearing up watching all the winners’ excitement and emotion when they win. Seeing all of their hard work and sacrifice come to fruition is very moving. And their stories of overcoming adversity, health challenges, injuries and more just to compete on the Olympic stage.
It does inspire me.
Especially this year as I watch, I think: “if we as people can come together to compete with sportsmanship, grace, and good will across boundaries, nations, and rivalries for two weeks every four years, why can’t we do that all the time? Or at least more of the time on a larger scale?
Perhaps part of what happens when the Olympics is in season is a suspension of all of the division, power grabbing, my-way-or-the-highway attitudes that too often prevail in human life. There is an elevation of spirit and purpose which creates the space for this very special event. Still, I think that we humans would do well to take just a little bit of that into our daily lives and communities and countries after the closing ceremonies conclude the event.
In a few days, I’ll be 72 years old. I’m not going to become an Olympic athlete. But I am inspired to think about my place in the world and what I’m able to do with the time, energy, and talent I have left. I was on the “Elders for Kamala” call earlier tonight sponsored by Third Act and that was also inspiring. Impassioned remarks by activists and civil servants like John Kerry (linking climate issues to the economy) and Terry Tempest Williams (linking the climate crisis to the spiritual) and many more. There is so much we humans are capable of and can achieve. We can solve difficult problems; we can meet big challenges! We need all of us to do that. To bring our unique talents and perspectives. Diversity is strength. Caring about others and the planet is strength. Reaching across divisions is strength. And fighting together for our democracy makes us stronger.
Watching the women’s bike race and seeing riders assist a competitor with a disabled bike by pushing her up the hill as they rode by really encapsulates what I want to be able to do and what I want to see others doing. One of my favorite sayings is that it takes many drops to make an ocean. Each of us is a drop and coming together we can create the power of oceans to push each other up the hill. And push Kamala Harris and Tim Walz over the finish line because they are the leaders we need right now and this is their moment and ours. We are living this reality into being.
