What The Olympics Don't Tell Us

The Olympics fascinate us.

The Olympics fascinate me. I will sit in front of the TV as long as I can, so that I can watch as much as I can. I get up early to watch events live. I stay up late to watch full recaps of the day. Watching as the mastery which these athletes have over their craft make some of the most difficult things appear to be the easiest. Their skill makes you watch the event, and think "I can do that."

No. No I can't.

Why can't I?

Is it because the sport doesn't ooze from my pores? Is it because my parents didn't train me early enough? Is it because I'm just not naturally gifted in that area?

No. It is none of those reasons. The reason I could not do what these Olympians are doing is that I don't train hard or long enough. This is what the Olympics don't tell us. They might mention it - but never for too long. We only see these athletes at their best. We only see the final product. We do not see the hours and hours of training which these athletes go through. We do not see the blood, sweat, and tears which they pour into their craft; because of this, when we watch the Olympics, we might think something is easy and get easily discouraged when we realize that we are not as gifted or cannot do the same thing in the same manner.

Think of the perseverance it takes for these athletes to train for 4 years, for a sport which (for some) might only give them a couple minutes of recognition. This is what the Olympics don't show us.

This is what we need to see though. The glory, the skill, the mastery does not come without the hard work.

So don't get discouraged when you, in whatever discipline, don't measure up to someone - instead use this as inspiration and motivation to keep at the hard work because that is the only way you will be able to master something. We need to do the same thing with our spiritual walk - there are people who have been training their entire life; so don't get discouraged that they might know more verses, or more historical information, or can quote more commentaries. Instead use this as motivation to get to that stage - you will have to work at it and there will be days when it is difficult but it is only through hard work that you can see the growth that you want.

 It isn't going to just happen - just like you won't wake up one day realizing you have been gifted with Olympic talent - you will have to work at it.