I am still basking in Canadian pride. Olympic conversations continue to pop-up everywhere. They are a great ice-breaker especially with my new clients as we walk the hall from reception to my office.
Have the rest of you noticed how such conversations help to lift people’s moods? Smiles emerge as favourite Olympic moments are revealed and shared. Wow! Positive energy is infectious because we are social beings with the need to connect and belong.
The Olympic Games transcended political beliefs, brought us together as a nation and let us display happily and loudly that we are proud to be Canadian. Yes, Own the Podium worked. It gave us so much more than medals and great performances. It showed us the resilient characters behind many of the athletes.
Our cheers were loud as we watched Alexandre Bilodeau ski a flawless gold medal performance and then our hearts were deeply touched as we learned about him, his family values and the incredible strength he draws from his handicapped brother. We held our breath and then we cried with Joannie Rochette following her beautiful skates at the time of her greatest grief. We read about Brian Burke, GM for the U.S. team, who fulfilled his obligations as he grieved the tragic death of his son, weeks earlier.
The reality is that no matter what challenges we are given in life, we must find the strength to put one foot ahead of the other and carrry on.
Own the podium worked not so much for the performances, though Canada medalled greatly. Own the podium worked for the way it helped to build the characters of these athletes. We were privy to the lives of only a few.
Participation in sport and fitness will enhance the lives of our youth and adults of all ages. As an aside, among the thousands of inquiries Curling Canada received this past week, mine was one of them.
