The Summer 2016 Olympics are upon us! It is the one event that unites the world. This year there are around 10,500 athletes from 206 nations who are set to compete for 4924 medals from 42 disciples in 28 sports.[1]
The president of the International Olympic Committee said “Like no other human activity, sport is about bringing people together in the spirit of friendship and respect. Sport always builds bridges, it never erects walls. In a world shaken by crises, the message that our shared humanity is greater than the forces that divide us, is more relevant than ever before. By coming together in unity to celebrate the rich diversity of our shared humanity, the Olympic Games give us all hope that a better world is possible. Together, we can change the world.”[2]
I love the message about coming together in unity to celebrate our diversities. If we did this in our everyday lives, the world would be a much more peaceful place. One way we can start to celebrate our diversities is by not judging others whose thoughts and actions do not align with our own. We need to have a more open mind. Everyone has their own path to live in this life. If we let others live their own path, the world would be a stronger, happier place. Who are we to judge others anyway? Judgement is not our job, so let go of it.
Start today by just accepting people for who they are, what they believe and how they want to live their lives. Celebrate our differences instead of trying to make everyone be like you. If you focus your attention on your journey instead of what other people are doing, the world would be a more peaceful and joyful place to live.
The Olympics are a reminder that with all our diversities we can come together as one. We each have a different path in this life and that path makes up our own story. Be inspired by others, but stay true to who you really are. Write your own story and not someone else’s thought of what your story should be. As my daughter says “You Be You”.
“As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we’ve been given.” — Mary Lou Retton
[1] https://wallethub.com/blog/.olympics-fun-facts/22356/
2 https://www.olympic.org/news/-together-we-can-change-the-world-ioc-launches-global-promotional-campaign
