Last night as I watched the Olympics my eyes saw the action on the screen but my heart and my soul felt a level of inspiration that is possible for me to reach only from those that achieve greatness or go beyond the expectations of the masses.
I am inspired by anyone who does something beyond the norm. “Helen Keller” – Kyle Manor” – “Ayn Rand” – “A 98 years old that runs two miles a day” – They make me proud to be a human being – proud to be a child of God – On my darkest days these champions fill my body and mind with the fuel needed to move forward with an “I can belief” in whatever it is that I desire to do.
I love their determination, their focus, their commitment to excellence, their competitive spirits, their unwillingness to never quit, and their burning desire to win.
Without these excellent examples of what we humans are capable of achieving we would never grow or know the indescribable feeling we get from setting a goal and reaching that goal.
As I watched Michael Phelps last night I thought of words recently spoken – words that declared – “You didn’t do that on your own – you didn’t get rich on your own – others helped you – you’re not so smart – you didn’t work harder than anyone else.” As I watched the amazing human beings taking part in the Olympics those word raced through my mind. I asked myself if they didn’t do it on their own why are they the only one receiving the applause and the adulation of the many and why do they stand alone to receive their Gold Metal… where is the Medal for those that helped them succeed?
So this is how I see it - Michael Phelps made the decision to be a champion. To light his FIRE. His coach Bob Bowman made the decision to be a coach. Without Michael he would have never achieved the recognition he has achieved. Michael on the other hand would have just found another coach. I see it as choice and I believe that nothing nor anyone nor any power on earth will stop those that make the decision to achieve greatness in any endeavor or any field. Michael needed the focus, the drive, the determination, the competitive spirit, the heart of a champion,and the will to win no matter the cost or the effort before he ever needed a coach.
So my question is did Michel Phelps get there on his own? Do any of us get there on our own?
My answer is YES… A Resounding YES… I came to this conclusion after thinking about our ancestors, look at the cavemen… did they have roads… did they have computers or the internet or blah blah blah… no… but they had the spirit of greatness within them and nothing stopped them from getting and going and doing what their magnificent spirits desired that they do! Nothing stopped our ancestors from lighting their fire of greatness that resides in all of us.
So I say this – the champions of this world – the winners – the doers – those that inspire us – those that make us proud to be a part of the human race – those that make our hearts sing – those that show the greatness of our Father and use all that he has given to all of us to its fullness…
These Awe Inspiring Champions are the Fire on top of the torch… and their Helpers carry the torch that holds the FIRE…and make it easier for the Fire to burn longer and go where it needs to go and be what it needs to be but without the Fire there would be no need for the Helpers for there would be no Torch...
My question is who lights that Awe Inspiring Fire? For is it not the Fire within that lights the paths to greatness?
“The Olympic Torch – come rain or come shine the Fire will burn on”.
The ancient Greeks believed that Fire was given to humankind by Prometheus and considered Fire to have sacred qualities.
Let us all applaud the Fire in us and in others and let us know that we light our own FIRE and we and we alone have the power to keep that Fire burning…
I thank God for the Fire within me and I pray that I never let it die no matter who chooses to help me or who chooses not to help me.
“Let Your Fire Burn”
“One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.” Helen Keller
Comments(14)