I have loved almost everything about watching these 2010 Winter Olympics.  Since I am not an athlete now, nor have I ever been, the Olympics are a beautiful metaphor for life.  If you are an athlete, I am sure you are enjoying them in the very same ways that I am enjoying them – the passion, determination, perseverance, humility, gratitude, joy, strength, fun, happiness, beauty, magnificence and so much more.

I have laughed, smiled, cried at different times.  I love watching the Today Show and listen to the personal stories of people like Seth Wescott waving his grandfather’s flag and Matt Lauer hugging him.  The intimacy that is prevalent and unavoidable.  I have especially appreciated how much fun they are having together.  Watching them is what we all want to experience in our work and career environments.  The tip on accomplishing this is to have the focus on seeing the greatness of others.

How about the athletes that the media classifies as being at the Olympics to redeem themselves? One example of this was snowboarder, Lindsey Jacobellis.  She is an amazing woman!  There was an abundance of talk from her Olympic performance 4 years ago.  As it turns out, she was disqualified in this Olympics.  When I listened to her interview, she smiled the whole time as she gave the reporter a play-by-play of what occurred.  I am sure she would have loved to have received a medal, but she was and is so grateful to simply be in the experience of the Olympics.  You can be the athlete of Lindsey Jacobellis by enjoying your life and all of its ups and downs and turns and curves and even when it appears as if you have stumbled and gone off course.

Shani Davis just won the gold medal and he has inspired an entire room of inner city kids, teens and young adults to go for their dreams no matter the circumstances.  The message – living your dream and doing everything it takes to accomplish that dream, inspires others. 

If you know me, you know I love Cris Collinsworth.  I bet if we asked him, he would say that he feels privileged to be at the Olympics and involved in the stories he has created.  What I saw when he was with Shaun White was how he and Shaun became friends that day.  They brought out the best in each other, they laughed, they shared things that demonstrated their authenticity.  This is a key to the joy of life – bring out and see the best in yourself and every person you encounter. 

I could go on and on detailing everything I have seen, but hopefully you are getting the point.  Watch the Olympics when you can and watch them to be inspired to know that you too are an Olympian.  Allow yourself to be inspired.  Allow yourself to see your greatness.  Follow these guidelines to your life and life will rise up to meet you.

• Intimacy is prevalent and unavoidable
• See the greatness in others
• Enjoy your life and all of its ups, downs, curves and turns, even when it appears as if you have stumbled and gone off course.
• Live your dream and leave no stone unturned
• Bring out and see the best in yourself and every person you encounter

See you later, I’m off to watch and listen and be inspired!