Special Olympics

A few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.

All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. They all turned around and went back. Every one of them.

One girl with Down's Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better."

All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together.

Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing:

What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves.

What truly matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

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Addendum to this story:
Origins: The story is more true than not, although its primary point has been grossly exaggerated. According to folks at the Special Olympics Washington office, the incident happened at a 1976 track and field event held in Spokane, Washington. A contestant did take a tumble, and one or two of the other athletes turned back to help the fallen one, culminating in their crossing the finish line together, but it was only one or two, not everyone in the event. The others continued to run their race.

The story is thus not about an entire class of "special people" who spontaneously tossed aside their own dreams of going for gold in favor of helping a fallen competitor, but rather one about a couple of individuals who chose to go to the aid of another contestant. Unfortunately, this tale as it is now being told helps further a stereotype that deficiencies in intelligence are compensated for by unfailingly sweet natures and a way of looking at the world in childlike wonder.

Special Olympians train long and hard for their events and are every bit as committed as athletes who compete in any other athletic endeavors. The Special Olympics are not a casual get-together organized to give less fortunate members of the community a day to socialize and perhaps run in a foot race or two. They're highly organized sporting events taken very seriously by all involved, with each competitor striving to do his best. It's about trying. And succeeding.

The Special Olympics oath is "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

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I've heard this particular story before but not the addendum. I like this story for a few reasons. One because it shows the caring and concern for another human being which we could all use more of in this world. Two because it isn't about who wins...we are all in this race we call life together and it doesn't matter who wins. And finally three because it's about trying to be the very best you can be no matter what you do. It is worth taking the risk and trying even when you know you aren't going to win.

Life isn't about who wins and who loses. If you've tried something new, you've already won. If you've done the very best you can do, then you've already won. If you help another out when they need you the most, then you both win. It isn't really about winning any kind of a prize or trophy. It's about that good feeling inside of yourself. That's what makes you a winner.

There are no losers in life. It's about the choices you make in life. Good or bad. It's about the feeling you have inside yourself that makes you feel successful or not. What choices are you making? Do you feel good about them? Did you help others to feel good in the process? If not, what can you do better next time?

Just food for thought....

Blessings & Bear Hugs,
PolarB ;)

Peace within

If there is one thing we've come to understand over the last few months, it is this. The more tumultuous and uncertain the world around us becomes, the more important it is to nurture a real and abiding peace within our hearts. When there is trouble around you, it is more important than ever to have peace within.

Peace is strength at rest. It is high energy without high tension. Those who are strong enough to live in peace and at peace, are the strongest indeed.

Today, and every day, is an opportunity to put the power of peace to work in your life. Though there may be turmoil and confusion all around you, with a peaceful heart you can find the strength to make each and every moment more beautiful than the last.

Act from a perspective of genuine peacefulness, and you'll act with strength, confidence and effectiveness. Hold peace firmly in your heart. Nurture it and let it flow from you, and it will give power to whatever you undertake.

Find your own genuine inner peace and with the strength of that peace you can truly change your world.

-- Ralph Marston

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Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.

 

I was reading a passage of the Bible tonight and saw this writing by Betsy Lee. Her words touched me so I wanted to share them with you. She wrote:

We all go through storms in life. Whether we are caught up in the agitation of little daily traumas that tear away at our peace of mind, or face real fears that rage within our hearts. Jesus can calm any storm with a word: Quiet, be still!" (Mark 4:39)

When disciples first witnessed Jesus' power to bring peace, they were amazed: "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him?" (V:41) We will be amazed too.

The gift of peace can come quietly, unexpectedly- as you gaze at the soft glow of a candle during a hushed quiet time, as you walk in the woods and feel God close. It can come even in the glimpse out your window as your eyes behold the beauty outside.

It can come through the loving gesture of a friend. It can come through laughter or tears...or simply silence.

It can come through prayer.

"Peace be to you." Jesus says. To you.

 

 

Peace be with you and within your heart,

Blessings & Bear Hugs,

PolarB ;)

Be you

You were born to be real, not to be perfect. You are here to be you, not to live someone else's life.

Every day you make some progress and every day you make a few mistakes. Through it all, your wisdom continues to grow and your experience continues to broaden.

Be gentle with yourself. Accept who you are, where you have been, and what you have to work with, for in this moment you can make positive use of it all.

Reach in and touch the purpose that makes you feel most alive. The world around you is filled with places where that purpose can do great things.

It is never too late to offer your unique and genuine gifts to life. Now is the time to do great things, even in the smallest of ways.

Choose to fully and graciously live life as it comes. The richest rewards by far are the ones to which you most sincerely give of yourself.

-- Ralph Marston


"Be gentle with yourself. Accept who you are, where you have been, and what you have to work with"  WOW! This is a great affirmation from Ralph. I love this! So many times we are so hard on ourselves putting demands and expectations on ourselves that sometimes aren't even realistic. Sometimes we unconsciously set ourselves up to never be able to live up to the standards of who we think others want us to be. STOP! You are uniquely YOU and it is time to appreciate your value and your worth of who God made you to be.

Each and every one of us are unique human beings. Each person has their own gifts and talents. God created all of us differently which is why we each have our own unique DNA and our very own fingerprints. There is nobody else quite like you. We may have similarities and we can come together to work together in many things, but it is important to also appreciate who you are as a person.

We see advertisement of thin models who are pretty and seemingly perfect and so many young girls say they want to be like those models. How many times have you heard somebody say or even thought this yourself... when I grow up I want to be a movie star like so and so... People get in a craze trying to dress like others they see on tv or in magazines, they cut their hair to be a carbon copy of someone else. They base their decisions on what they think others want them to do or be. I wish I had money like so and so, I wish I was smart like this person or I wish I looked like so and so...she has everything and why can't I be like her...

What if everyone would just stop and take a moment to look at themselves and appreciate who they are as an individual? YOU are uniquely YOU! You have value and you have worth. It doesn't matter if you came from a poor family or was born with a silver spoon in your mouth. It doesn't matter who your parents are or if you were adopted into another family. It doesn't matter if you went through terrible times growing up or had it on easy street.
When it all comes down to it, you are who you are and nothing can change that. Accept who you are and learn to appreciate who you are as a human being. Maybe you don't like something about yourself. If you don't like something, it is certainly within your power to change it. However don't do it because you want to do it for somebody else or be somebody else. Do it because it will make you feel better about you and give you a sense of joy and peace.

As a child growing up I was not happy with my life. I didn't want to be my parents child. I viewed myself as a throw away kid. I didn't think I had any value or that I was even worth loving. My experiences had a lot to do with it and my self esteem had hit the road. I thought I was stupid. I didn't like how I looked, I didn't like how I lived and most of all I didn't like who I was. I wanted out of my life. I wished I could be somebody else...anyone else but me.

One day hope entered my life and my eyes opened and I thought to myself, I may be in misery right now, but I don't have to stay in misery. I held onto that hope with all that I had that one day things would change. I kept thinking ahead to my future when I could make decisions for myself. I had in the back of my mind goals and plans that would get me to where I wanted to be. I vowed that my life would be different.

Step by step I made changes to my life that made me feel good about who I was as a person. Working on repairing my self esteem was difficult but not impossible. It doesn't happen overnight. It is a slow process that requires determination and a desire to change my thinking, and my belief system which in turn changed my life.

Accepting who I was, where I came from and who I had the power to become in the future was how I got to where I am today. I appreciate my God given talents. I know I have a lot to offer. I know that I am worthy of love and I am satisfied with who I am as a person. I really like who I am and the direction my life has taken.

I know that I am intelligent and loving and compassionate. I know that I have kindness in my heart for others. I know that I am honest, and have integrity and I am very loyal to the people in my life. I value the things that matter and are important to me. I know what I will put up with and what I wont. I trust my instincts for they have never led me wrong. I know that I am successful in my career. I know that I have a great sense of humor and that I am really fun to be around.  I know that I love to laugh and that it is good medicine for my soul.

I love the fact that my spiritual life and the connection that I have with the Great Spirit has grown tremendously over the last few years. I am very blessed and I appreciate that very much. I know everything happens for a reason and it is how we learn major life lessons within our lifetime.

I love that I enjoy and delight in simple everyday moments and know they are blessings in my life. I am extremely blessed to have a wonderful caring life partner to share my life and love with. Really life doesn't get any better than this.

I may not have everything I want or desire and I may not have alot of money or financial security, yet in the scheme of things, those things are not as important to me as being content in my life and feeling the peace that surrounds me. I really do love where I am in this moment in time and I appreciate and value the journey that got me here.

Quite simply, I am uniquely me and I love who I am!

Don't be afraid to be YOU. Stop living your life for other people and dare to be who God meant you to be. 

Quite simply.... Be YOU!

 

Bear Hugs & Blessings!

PolarB ;)