The Olympian In All Of Us

The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics are now officially a part of Olympic history. We've witnessed the highs and lows and the tales of victory and defeat with unprecedented clarity through countless cable TV stations and social media outlets. 

This year, I didn't get mesmerized by curling (Note: that phrase might actually be an oxymoron, but I digress). But having been born and raised in Canada, I probably don't have to explain my desire to watch hockey.

The beauty of the Olympics every couple of years is that we are exposed to special performances from what we think are special people. However, one quick look around you and you might just find that there is an Olympian in all of us.

One of my greatest life experiences was the Summer Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. I served as a physical therapist for the ACOG medical services in track and field. Our services were available to all athletes. Most of the larger countries had a large medical contingent that traveled with their team. It was the smaller delegations, those not traveling with many (if any) medical staff, that utilized our services extensively.

There was one consistent theme amongst all of the amazing athletes I crossed paths with in Atlanta. It didn't matter what country they were from - they were all people with a story, an individual tale that brought them to this moment in their lives. Yes, many of those in Atlanta (and Sochi) are more muscular, faster, or graceful on a set of ice skates. At the end of the day, though, they have all set their goals and path, faced their own challenges and struggles, and pursued it to this moment in time called the Olympic Games.

They are all just like you and me.

Each one of us lives our own Olympics every day. At the end of the day there might not be a gold medal on the line, and you probably won't hear your national anthem or watch your flag raised before you head to bed.

But each day, we write a vivid story to be shared. Each day, we live something special, if we choose to view it that way. Each day, we contribute something to the world - ourselves, our being, our presence.

We may be an Olympian to our employer. Or our partner. Our just ourselves. Oftentimes we just don't see our own story as "special enough". However, we all have our struggles, our challenges to overcome, and those in our lives that support us with unconditional love along the way.

Take a moment today to appreciate your Olympic journey. Reach out to those around you, even for a moment, and thank them for being a part of your Olympic experience.

There may not be a gold medal, but your story is yours - special, shining, and golden.

Photo credits: isawnyu

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