What's in your village?

I have been hooked on watching the Olympics these last two weeks.  I absolutely love it.  Plus, it's been kind of convenient that our household has been sick...and so collapsing on the couch at night (usually a rare occurrence) has been a welcomed activity. 

August 2008

I appreciate the Olympics for many reasons.  One reason is that during the last summer Olympics, I was still up at odd hours of the night nursing a colicky baby back to sleep.  I remember being excited that Michael Phelps somehow touched the wall first to win gold, but I couldn't tell you what day it was, much less my own name, because I was still in that "baby daze".......you know, that bittersweet result of sleepless nights?  So, this year,  I appreciate that I now have two children, not babies, and they both sleep through the night.  I know what day it is, and most of the time, I know my name!  It's a bonus that they appreciate watching the Olympics.....my son especially loves the diving. 

I also appreciate the Olympics because it is a world event.  I love that people all over the world are watching the same races, the same gymnastic routines, and we all see the same scores.  In 1992 ironically, I had the experience of watching the summer Olympics from London.  I was visiting for three weeks, and staying with a host family during that time.  Watching the same events that all my friends and family were watching back home, was starkly different being that I was the only American in an English family's home.  It was stunning to me that the rest of the world was not primarily interested in the American athletes.  The cameras showed our American stars in the background....huh!  There weren't loud cheers when Americans won gold.  They didn't show replays in slow motion of incredible feats.  And at age 15, it was a very valuable lesson.  What we think is the center of all existence, is merely the outfield of another home plate.  And the world is filled with home plates.  That folks, can make for a whole heck of a lot of home runs!  The world is scoring.  Everyday.  In lots of ways.  Some are broadcasted on prime time, and others go completely unnoticed.   You are an athlete.  What's your score today?

This leads me to my final thought about the Olympics.  It rips my heart to pieces to see the parents of the young athletes in the stands....only able to shout, whistle and cheer.....clutching to cardboard signs and the hopes of a detailed phone call later.  You see, what I just realized this year, is that the athletes are confined to what is called the Olympic Village throughout the period of competitive events.  Call me slow, but if I understand it correctly, only athletes, officials and trainers are allowed in the Village.... and the athletes are only allowed to go within the limits of the Village.  The whole point is to safeguard the athlete's focus and discipline while competing.  What must that be like?  No media is allowed in the Village, so it remains a sort of mystery to the rest of the world.

July 2012

What if we had a temporary retreat like the Olympic Village?  During what time in our lives would we need such intense and isolated focus?  How often would that be necessary or desired?  Would it be a voluntary retreat or a strongly suggested stay?  What would rise to the center of your viewfinder if you had the opportunity to tune out everything else? 

I'm challenged to find out those answers about myself.  In the meantime, I've ordered a new book to help me become a better parent, I'm wrapping up a group study on marriage, and I'm determined to make sure that I tuck my kids in bed each night with them confidently aware of how happy they have made me that day.  That is the daily victory they seek, and it's up to me to give them the gold. 

"To have any doubt in your body is the biggest weakness an athlete can have."

-Shawn Johnson