Olympic Dreams - Maybe Something is Bigger than the Super Bowl!

In an earlier post I asked the question "Is there anything bigger than the Super Bowl?" - now that I think about it there is! The Olympic Games are truly a worldwide event. While the Super Bowl does have global appeal, it can't compare to the majesty of the Olympic Games.

The Olympics are full of inspiring stories, from the Jamaican Bob Sled team to the eighteen countries with a single athlete competing. There is no shortage of stories to capture the imagination. Every four years we find ourselves glued to the television with patriotic fervour, but for the athletes the preparation for the Olympics is ongoing - every day, 365 days a year.

With the exception of a few of the major sports, these athletes are paid very little for their efforts. In fact, they depend upon the support of their home governments, corporate sponsors, and the generosity of strangers to realize their dreams. They can take nothing for granted. Imagine every day struggling for a dream you have no guarantee will ever happen. It's a real possibility for these athletes that they won't make the Olympics - that their four years of struggle will come to nought. It doesn't deter them. They keep striving for their dreams.

What can we learn from these relentless individuals? Sometimes our efforts are just as important as the outcome. We might not always achieve all our goals, but we should still make every effort to do so. I can't stress this enough. What's more depressing, that you tried and failed or that you never bothered in the first place? For me, the answer is obvious! I hope it is for you too. Striving to improve yourself all the time makes you a success. The final goal is important, but it isn't everything. What do you think? Is the effort its own reward?