Are we all Olympic Athletes?
Monday, February 22, 2010 at 8:29PM Before I get to addressing that question I want to first thank all of you for the kind emails, get well cards and calls I have received since my snow mobiling accident a week ago.
If you haven’t heard, I was involved in a pretty serious accident coming down Ephraim Canyon on the 13th of Feb. I was knocked unconscious and do not remember anything that happened other than seconds before the accident. I was racing down the canyon and locked up skies with another sled and over I went. Broke my clavicle in 3 or 4 places and fractured 4 ribs. The pain for the first week was beyond belief. My 2 Daughters helped nurse me back to health when I was released from the hospital on the 15th. I finally feel like I can get in front of my computer today and share what I have been thinking since laid up in bed for a week. Thanks again to my family as they have been here taking care of Dad …and again to each of you for sending your healing powers my way….it has worked and I will be 100% in the next few weeks.
As I have laid here in bed healing I have been keeping track of updates with the Olympics and what is going on in Vancouver. My Daughter Jaqueline has been here with me and she has never really followed the Olympics and what they are all about till now. It has been so much fun to listen to the incredible stories of failure and then success from many of the competing athletes.
Last night for instance, AL Michaels, one of the best sports casters of all time, did a 30 minute piece on the 1980 Gold medal U.S Olympic Hockey team. I remember it like it was yesterday. I watched as many of you did as we did what all of us think was impossible, win a gold medal in Hockey... As the U.S. team got closer and closer we believed more and more that we could in fact win the gold. Remember that Russia ruled hockey at the time and had not settled for anything less that a gold metal for years and years. It was a given each Olympic event that they would walk away with the gold. In fact, just a week before the Olympics that year, the U.S. played an exhibition hockey match in Madison square garden against the Russian Hockey team and they defeated us…the same U.S. hockey team by a score of like 9 to 3. They spanked us and sent us home with our tail between our legs.
If you, like my daughter have never heard this story be sure to check it out as it is one of the most inspiring stories of all time.
As I laid here listening and watching the story again, I kept feeling tears in my eyes as I thought of what this coach and players accomplished. They had done the impossible.
As I they finished up the piece on TV, one of the former players said that the coach told them before they went in to the match, that “no matter what the outcome of tonight will be …that they will have to live with it to their graves.” Think about that. Not sure stronger words could have been spoken this particular night.
I immediately think of our lives and the parallels we share with the Olympics. We each get only a few chances presented to us that can alter our lives and those around us for ever. How do we face these opportunities? Do we dip our toe in the water to test it …or do dive in all the way and give it all we have?
If we are every to achieve all we deserve in life there is a price to pay. These Olympic athletes train for years for just one chance at Bronze, Silver or Gold Medal. There is nothing that gets in the way; they are focused on the end goal.
We are all Olympic athletes and we each get a few chances at the gold. What are you going to do next time you get a chance at the Gold? I challenge you to go for the gusto…live life to its fullest each and everyday and give life all you have to offer!!! If you do your best, you will not have to take a life of regret to your grave with you.
Till next time,
Karl Bessey
PS I missed my trip to Norway and Austrailia becuase of my accident, but will be there to visit in the near future. Congrats to all our WMI consultants in Norway and Austailia. The growth you are going to experience in the next few months will rock your worlds!!!
Reader Comments (1)
Karl -
Thanks for keeping the end game in mind, my friend. With leaders and mentors like you, we are all winners...
Like our Olympic athletes, we're wishing you all the best. For you the Gold is to get well soon, so Go for the Gold!
Looking forward to seeing you soon in Florida. ;¬)
Wishing you all the best,
Steph and Dave Robey