Welcome to Three-Peat Tuesday!
Each weekly blog will contain three P’s: Pillar, Principle and Practical, all geared towards nourishing you on your personal and spiritual growth journey.
Pillar: Olympic glory requires self-discipline
“Athletes exercise self-control in all things”-1 Corinthians 9: 25 (New Revised Standard)
Principle: Olympic glory is courageous
In last week’s blog, we saw two golds given to the same family during the judo competition at the Tokyo Games. Well, more Olympic heroes are emerging during this historic edition of one of sport’s greatest showpieces.
A few days ago, there was a tie between Mutaz-Essa Barshim from Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi from Italy in the men’s high jump. Instead of going an extra round so that only one person would get the glory of winning, these two amazing athletes and friends decided to share the first prize. Golden sportsmanship!
This was easily one of the standout moments of the Games, together with various world records and, of course, the 1-2-3 for Jamaica in the women’s 100m sprint. Yet, it may be Simone Biles who ends up making the most significant impact on this year’s Olympics, this time, apart from her usual gymnastic brilliance.
In my respectful view, here was the line of the entire Olympics: “I’m more than my accomplishments.” Spot on, Simone. Biles gave herself the freedom to say ‘no’ to external pressure, and ‘yes’ to mental health. Her priority echoes recent similar assertions by Japan’s tennis star Naomi Osaka, English cricketer Ben Stokes and NBA basketballer Kevin Love.
Courage. Character. Conviction. To these three C’s, I add one more: Champion. I applaud all the brave athletes who have boldly stood up and proclaimed the value of their inner person-heart, mind and soul-over their sporting prowess. It is a welcome change to our understanding of what sporting glory really looks like. Press on.
Practical: Olympic glory is contagious
The next time you view someone else as a threat to your success, chose friendship over competitiveness. Share with them, bless them, spur them on. They are more than their performance.
If you were inspired by this blog, please consider sharing it with one other person today. To learn more about these and other related themes that promote the cultivation of an integrated inner self, read UNBEATABLE! which is now available on Amazon in print and as an e-book.
This Post Has 6 Comments
Tyrone
I needed to hear that line: I’m more than my accomplishments.”
Thank you for this lesson.
Sure thing, Caroline. It was a gem of a comment from Simone Biles.
Mental Health First…..Thanks.
You’re welcome, Allan.
This is so true. I didn’t see it like this. The true champion shows courage, character and conviction and silences the critics.
I agree, Michelle.