A Time For Hope

Anyone who knows me knows that every two years, for 16 or so days, I get a little bit obsessed and captivated. Since I was a very small girl the Olympic Games have inspired me deeply and greatly.

Through the years, there have been scandals,  and bombings, and bribes, and doping; Hitler, and Putin and cold war boycotts. The Olympic Games, the IOC, the athletes, the judges, the hosts- none are perfect or blameless, and improvements in all should be pushed for just as those athletes push themselves to become better and better at their craft.

This Games will not be without problem, or controversy, and things must improve in future

But despite all that, I find myself again a child on opening ceremony day. Something about the flame of the cauldron and the parade of nations will deeply touch my soul and inspire me to love harder, dream bigger, and work for that dream. It will give me hope in a time that seems to be dominated by fear in the world. Why though?

Ive been reading a lot of Brene Brown lately, so I think I am begining to understand what is truely so spiritual to me about the Olympics,  and the World Cup. Human connectedness.  That thing we all deeply need, that thing that heals nations and souls.

And there will be moments that will temporarily break that connection, but for the most part, the next few weeks something deeply opposite of the hate, dividing, and fear mongering the world has experienced so much of this year.

For the next few weeks nations will come together, people will push on and give it their all when all hope of winning is lost, humans will connect beyond boundaries and divisions and differences, and I will cry happy tears. Lots of happy tears.

Remeber these words from Modern Olympic founder Pierre de Corbertin

" The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in Life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well. To spread these principles is to build up a strong and more valiant and, above all, more scrupulous and more generous humanity"

And let the Games, and the human connection begin.