Are You Going After Your Inner Olympic Gold Medal?

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London opens today and I am reflecting on why I get so dewy eyed at the opening ceremonies and the personal stories of the athletes. I know I am not alone.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -JULY 27: This handout ... — LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -JULY 27: This handout image supplied by The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), shows the medals that will be awarded in the London 2012 Olympic Games, designed by British artist David Watkins. The medal depicts ‘Nike’, the Greek Goddess of Sport, stepping out of a scene depicting of the Parthenon and Panathinaiko Stadium. The one year countdown to the London 2012 Olympic games was marked with a unique ceremony in Trafalgar Square, with IOC President Jacques Rogge inviting the world’s athletes to compete in next summer’s games. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

It occurs to me that when we watch such a large scale global event of countries coming together we tap into a global consciousness that is simultaneously world wide and touching our own heart and personal desires at the same time. I marvel at the motivation of athletes who compete for their personal achievement and are so proud of their contribution for their country. Win or lose when athletes come together on this type of world stage, they are, I imagine aware of how they make their own country’s citizens proud with their commitment, endurance, professionalism and grace. The event as whole mirrors a family reunion of sorts. How our athletes conduct themselves at a reunion reflects on who we are as a nation and how we fit in with the family. No matter our size or power, are we respected, valued, and appreciated for our presence. Are we addressed with consideration for our values and what is important to us? Do we generously nurture the whole in the same way? This is the torch carried by the athletes.

The games and its players mirror something in us, perhaps our own goals for ‘Olympic gold. Their accomplishments are not just personal. They contribute to a team, that contributes to an Olympic team that contributes to a country and that country is at the family reunion on a world stage. When an athlete performs the hologram of the whole vibrates with this energy. It taps into our own compassionate heart where we have set our own dreams and goals and experienced our wins and losses. We may all be feeling the pain of defeat, the emotion of unexpected surprises, or achieving something beyond our wildest dreams.

Watching the Olympic games may beg the question if we ourselves are in the game for our own dreams. If we are, like the athletes, we need to make and follow through with the commitment to make it happen. It may mean longer days, getting up at 4:00AM, giving up a daily diet of TV or our favorite time wasters. We may need the support of our loved ones. However, like the Olympic athletes, when we pursue our goals, win or lose, how we manage our efforts can bring the best of us to our relationships, our groups, our community, our country and ultimately our global family. We too can “Inspire a Generation” by that special dream or goal in our heart and the motivation to go after it.

It is the summer Olympics and I wish all the athletes and their countries well and I envision that energy supporting your own inner Olympic Gold. I say “go for it.”

With love and light

Carolyn Winter