The 2024 Olympics recently came to an end. Hosted in Paris, France athletes from over 184 countries took to various platforms for two weeks to showcase their high-level skills and ultra personalities.

I, like many others, was glued to the screen. I rotated between my cell phone and home screens as needed. I was watching the entire time. I admit that I glanced a few times one Sunday during church service. I indulged in early morning views and late night stares. It was amazing to learn about sports that I’d never heard of before. Of course I had my favorites; gymnastics, swimming, track & field and basketball. I was floored by the various categories and the expansiveness of it all. And yes, I was completely unapologetically rooting for the American athletes.

USA brought home the highest number of medals, 126. Similar to the opening ceremony the closing ceremony provoked copious thoughts and feelings. Sunday August 11th officially ended the games passing the torch to America to host in Los Angeles for 2028.

I must say that I was both impressed and inspired by so many of the athletes. I walked away from this experience pondering quite a few things; for myself and for you too.

Observation 1

Challenge is inevitable. Struggle, turmoil and adversity seem to become prerequesites for greatness. No one likes being uncomfortable. We don’t manage small tight inconvenient spaces for too long, but that is the cocoon of metamorphosis. We learn how to stretch, adopt, grow, and rehabilitate our thinking. As I listened to interviews, promos and media specials on many of these athletes I could easily see how their backstories qualified them for such a time as this.

“You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you.”

– MARY TYLER MOORE

You cannot lift your eyes to the sky and dare to dream and hope to BE unless something weighty has attempted to take you down and you refused. Or let’s say something weighty did get the best of you. Your next challenge of fortitude would lie in what you chose to do as a result of it. These athletes have been introduced to unwieldy loads of training, discipline, sacrifice, critique, public observation while balancing their own inner growth and healing. We’ve heard the stories of those who had to leave their homes early to relocate for the goal ahead of them. Some being adopted. Others being rejected. Products of childhood sicknesses, learning disabilities and countless more obstacles.

“Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful.”

– ZIG ZIGLAR

Observation 2

The Olympic Games enkindled my dreaming motor. My heart and spirit were jolted. I was propelled to remember some prayers, visions and plans that I had actually laid down. I hadn’t given up on them per se but I was going to let them nap until time miraculously stirred them up. It wasn’t going to be by my own doing. Divine timing definitely met me and I think other viewers felt the same. Some spectators took to memory lane while others shared lofty pursuits. My spirit has dared me greatly (thanks Brene.)

I want to challenge you now. I’m passing the torch of action to you. What flame needs to be lit? What dreams need to be revisited? What plans do you need to complete?

GO for your gold, your silver or your bronze.

Life must be a classroom of growth and development. It must be an incubator that births and rebirths.

Things still deserve to come alive in you.

It may be time to assess where you are in life. What is bringing you joy? What is on autopilot?

In Closing

I implore you to not allow stigmas, age, social status, finances, backstories, lies and failures to stop you from dreaming and becoming.

If you needed a sign take this torch and step forward. It is your time. Dream, wake up and pursue.

First steps are not champion steps but the heart of a champion takes those steps; one at a time.

I leave you with this classic and defining poem by Harlem renaissance poet and social activist, Langston Hughes.

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

Langston Hughes

XO

Live. Age. Be. Well + Whole