Saturday, August 4, 2012

Overcoming Challenges to Chase a Dream

Well readers, it is that time again...you know, the Olympics!  Where else can we watch with such pride, anticipation, and patriotism?  To watch athletes compete after dedicating years and most of their lives to training is inspiring.  Sometimes they win.  Other times, they fall short of the top of the medal stand.  However, do they really fail if they don't reach the podium?  I would argue they don't, they just fail to meet the ultimate goal, but they are already winners!

To see such inspiring stories and nicknames such as the Blade Runner and Flying Squirrel shows an adoration and relation to these athletes.  Gabby Douglas, the Flying Squirrel, left all she knew and her family to train for these Olympics and has made history.  The Blade Runner, Oscar Pistorius, had to fight not only physical obstacles to train, but political and society acceptance as well.  He was a winner the second he walked into the stadium in his uniform and was announced as an Olympic athlete!  Sometimes chasing a dream comes at a cost, but the journey is well rewarded...medals or not.  Have you chosen your dream?  Are you still chasing it?

There will be setbacks, of course.  All one has to do is watch Jordyn Weiber's face when she failed to make the Women's All Around Gymnastic competition.  She was crushed beyond belief.  Her dream was in tathers.  Yet, two nights later, she had pulled herself together, readjusted her dream, and went after it for the chance to win the gold medal alongside her teammates.  She achieved it and they won!  Sometimes, we have to adjust the dream, or the path to the dream, to achieve it.  Yet, as Jordyn did, we must continue to strive for the dream.  If we give up when the obstacles reach us, then we are giving up on ourselves and our dreams.  We are better than that!

There is no greater illustration of what "Bushels and Barrels" tries to illustrate to my readers than the Olympics.  It is about facing the barrels, challenges, and reaping the blessings, bushels.  The Olympic Games and my book, "Bushels and Barrels - Redefining the American Dream", both are strong reminders that we can only achieve our dreams if we are willing to go for them and adjust our sights when needed.  Have you achieved your dream yet?  I'm still chasing mine!

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