An Olympic Reflection

I was swept away this weekend. I got caught up in the moment and truly felt inspired. I am also big enough to admit that I had tears well up in my eyes. What could move me like this you ask? It was the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games 2012. Please allow me to reflect.

I want to pause first and say thank you to the inventor of the DVR. Without it, I would not have had the opportunity to witness the opening ceremony. I got to watch the first 2 hours late Friday night, right up to the procession of the athletes. Finally, I got got to finish watching last night.

Most opinions that I have heard have been positive. While I could nitpick an item or two, I loved the approach. I thought the journey through history was absolutely brilliant. Was it as flashy as Beijing? No, but it felt more meaningful to me. Historic (for some reason I just love this word: historic). Here is another word: generational. I believe that aptly applies as well. I loved the idea of one generation handing off to the next. It was wonderful to see the handing off of the former Olympians to the possible future ones. Although, I wish they would have lit the torch together. Still, very cool. Speaking of the torch, I understand the criticism of it not being visible outside the stadium. That issue aside, I love the 200+ individual flames representing each country then coming together as the Olympic flame. I found all of it moving.

From time to time as I watched the opening ceremony I found myself thinking, "This is a glimpse at what could be." Think about: the diversity of the world together under one flag and one goal. The hopes, the dreams; all together. the passing of the torch from generation to generation. The admiration, respect, and honor given to those who have paved the way. People laughing and singing together. Thousands joined in holding hands under the night sky. What a scene. What a dream.

It stands in stark contrast to the great divisiveness we are experiencing in the world, in our country. Just look at the vileness being hurled back and forth over politics right now. Everyone pointing a finger at the next person. People that I know and love, people I know to be good, caring human beings, engaging in insults and slander and attacks of all kinds. It's not enough to voice our opinion. We feel the need to couch it in derogatory and hateful ways. I could go on. It only gets amplified when we look at the world. In this age of technology when the world is getting smaller, we seem to be getting more divided.

But for this weekend I dreamed: this is what could be. Honoring the diversity of this incredible world, in all it's beauty, but still able to come together as one. Do we have differences? Yes. But we all can dream. We all hope. We all can be something more.

The Olympics put on display the physical possibilities that we possess. They set the standard of achievement. I find that inspiring.

Then I look around at what's going on in the world. I look at how we are treating one another. And I have this thought...

WE ARE BETTER THAN THIS.

Chris