I never had
the drive or the determination to be an Olympic athlete. I didn’t have much natural ability, either. I was one of those kids who could trip over their own feet walking across a smoothly carpeted living room. I did, however, get a black belt in Tae Kwon Do when I was 50 years old. I am very proud of that.
Getting that black belt required me to go outside of my comfort zone. I needed to believe that it was possible for ME to get a black belt. I needed to keep going even when it got tough…and it got tough…a broken toe with sprained ligaments with a board breaking gone wrong…a shoulder that got kicked by a fellow student…
Are Olympic Athletes Just Natural Athletes or is it Something Else?
There are certain characteristics that make an Olympic athlete. For many, there is natural ability…but let’s talk about the most important aspects.
This is what I see when I watch Olympic athletes perform:
- Desire. A massive desire to play their sport. Yes, they want to win, who doesn’t? Yet…that isn’t what I see when I watch these people who train, train, and train again…I see passion and heart.
- Determination. I have been to very many Tae Kwon Do competitions (and other sports events, as well) where you can see the determination written on the faces of the competitors. The passion is written across their faces and you can hear it in their voices.
- Discipline. They have an amazing amount of discipline. That is the ability to keep going, even though their body might be screaming out in pain. No. I am not suggesting that you do that…but I have been there…and I know many people who kept going…even when it wasn’t easy…
Life is Like the Olympics
So, no matter where you are in life, you have your own challenges. We all do. When we look at someone else’s life, we might not see those challenges. We see the outside that they present. Yet, we can never know what goes on “behind closed doors”.
There is a quote that made the rounds on Facebook a while ago and it went something like this “Don’t compare your behind the scenes life with someone’s highlight reel”. Yet, don’t we do that? And…how does that make you feel?
In order to succeed, we need to find that desire and accept that we have it. We need the determination to make our dreams a reality and the discipline to follow through when things get tough…because they will get tough…it’s just a fact of life.
So, in a way, just by being here on this planet, we are like those wonderful examples of human athletic prowess, the Olympic athletes who dazzle us with their skills. Remember, they worked very hard to get where they got to. It wasn’t given to them on a silver platter…and just because it might look easy when they are doing it…it’s not.
You’ve put in a lot of hard work to get here…look at all those things that you needed to learn…like learning to walk…how amazing was that? Give yourself credit…and be fully in this Olympics that we call life…just because you can.
“Drive your own life…you deserve to, don’t you?” Sherie Venner
Sherie
Latest posts by Sherie (see all)
- The Truth About Getting Beyond Survival Mode in a Crisis - April 6, 2014
- Overcoming Emotional Pain: Easy or Not? - March 2, 2014
- If You Can Do This Like A Navy Seal, Then You Can Knock Out Stress - November 3, 2013
Comments on this entry are closed.
With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
My blog has a lot of unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but
it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without
my agreement. Do you know any techniques to help stop content from being stolen?
I’d really appreciate it.
That is the nature of the internet. You should contact a wordpress expert for advice like that. : D
Sherie recently posted..This #1 Reason Why People Have Relationship Anxiety
I love this article. Great information and encouragement. Congratulations on the black belt too – what a great feeling that must have been!
Kerry, it was totally awesome! Thanks so much for your kind words! : D
That’s interesting Sherie!! I never knew you took Tae Kwon Do and got a black belt. How long did it take for you to do that?
Edmund, it took 5 years of intense training! It was SO worth every minute of it! Loved the training, the camaraderie with fellow students, the mental and physical challenge…it was awesome!
“Don’t compare your behind the scenes life with someone’s highlight reel”. That is LIFE CHANGING!!
I know, right?? When I saw that one, it was like a light bulb went off in my head!
Great comparison Sherie. When things get tough, do we have the fortitude to keep going to the finish line like an athlete or do we stand still and pretend we tried?
Hey, many congrats on the black belt!! That is quite an accomplishment!
Thanks, Suzanne, I can’t even begin to describe how I felt when I had that black belt tied around my waist! : D
I am super impressed that you got a black belt at 50!!! You go girl!
Thanks, Mandy! : D : D
Congratulations in getting your black belt. Thanks so much for sharing… great post!
Thanks, Vicky!
Wow, the black belt is very impressive-very cool, Sherie!Desire determination and discipline is what it takes to hit your goals. Great post!
Thanks, Lisa, for your kind words! The 3 D’s work well!
Great article!!! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you for reading and commenting, Jan!
Love, love, love this Sherie! Congrats on getting your Black Belt! Thanks for sharing this Powerful quote, “Don’t compare your behind the scenes life with someone’s highlight reel.” I agree with you, I think at one time or another we all have done this. Great stuff, my friend!
Thank you,Susan,I really appreciate your kind words! I love that quote, too, it says it very well, doesn’t it? : D
Thanks for a wonderful post, Sherie. Love how you relate Olympics with our lives. “Don’t compare your behind the scenes life with someone’s highlight reel” – and this quote, really loved it!
Awesome, Lorii, I am so glad that you did!! : D
Great article Sherie. Discipline and determinatin are what keep me going. It is not always easy but I am definitely wanting to be the best person be I can in this life, for myself and others . Thank you for sharing.
It isn’t always easy but with time, it does get easier. You just keep going. Hugs,Terressa…
Great article…love the analogy of life and the Olympics…set a goal, be determined and focus on what you want! Thanks!
Thank you so much, Denny!
First off congrats on the black belt! You named the top three that are needed for any big life situation. I feel without any one of those you can not get there. If you have the desire but no discipline you will not get a gold. Great article!
Aww, thanks, Nancy!!
We are all running our own race. Too many people forget that and give up because they may not be as good as the others. LOVE the quote about the highlight reel! : )
It is one that I use over and over, Steve!
Wow, a black belt? I’m so impressed! What a fantastic accomplishment! I like your line about “this Olympics that we call life”. We may not be participating athletes in the official games, but we can certainly give our best in our own lives. Love it! 🙂
Thank you, Nisha, I loved the process of becoming a black belt, even though there was a lot of sweat and some tears! LOL Yes, we can give the best in our lives. So appreciate you commenting, Nisha!
Excellent post Sherie and good for you in getting a Black Belt ;). I love the comparisons between life and being an Olympic athlete – the desire, determination and discipline is what makes all the difference! Me? I’m going for the Gold 🙂
Moira, going for the Gold is the best course! : D I loved getting my Black Belt…quite an amazing journey. Thanks so much for your comment!