We’re here in magical Whistler, Canada for the Winter Olympics. It’s an amazing experience, an international cornucopia of people all gathered for fun and competition.
We traveled to Canada to support Ruben Gonzalez (thelugeman.com), a talented athlete who has qualified for his unprecedented fourth Olympics in hair-raising sport of luge.
This morning, the unthinkable happened. A young man from Georgia tragically died. It was a freak accident on turn sixteen during final luge practice. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, countrymen, fellow athletes, and everyone who enjoys the sport.
A lot of people who had a loved one competing in a dangerous sport may see this horrific even as a reason to take a deep breath and step back.
I see it as a chance to recommit to what matters most.
When we are involved in an event or when we love someone who goes for it, whether we are a parent, spouse, brother, sister, friend, or lover, we need to ask ourselves an important question…such as: how can we really support someone?
It’s easy to come from a place of fear. There are many of us who’d like to tell the people we love to be a bit more cautious. Maybe they shouldn’t train so hard. Maybe they should find a different sport. Maybe they shouldn’t travel the world alone. Maybe they shouldn’t take so many risks.
And maybe we should ask ourselves if we’re allowing our fears to rule us.
We’re not meant to live our lives wrapped in cotton wool. And we’re not here to suffocate others and suffocate their dreams, no matter how well-intentioned we believe we are. It’s by taking risks that we grow, evolve. By pushing and going for it, we become the people we are meant to be.
I’m not saying go forth and be stupid. I’m saying be smart, take reasoned and well-calculated risks. Know what you’re doing. Have the right protective gear. Get the right training.
If your kid wants to play hockey (like mine did), get him a helmet and plenty of padding. If your daughter wants to be the next downhill racer, get her lessons, a coach, and the right gear. If your friend wants to travel the world, ask her to send you a scarf from Cambodia.
I’m reminded of the amazing story of Shaun White’s mother. All of us know Shaun as an amazingly talented snowboarder who has taken the sport to new levels. When he had a serious accident skateboarding, one where he fractured his skull, his brave mom took him back to the skate park.
I’m willing to bet she was scared witless when she took him back for the first time. She felt the fear that any loving mom would have. But she put it aside. Her courage helped her son become one of the most amazing athletes on the planet.
Where can you be bold? Where can you encourage those you love to reach for their dreams?
Life is experienced fully only when we go for it, only when we chase our dreams.
Good luck to all the 2010 Olympic athletes. Good luck to anyone who lives large and digs deep for the guts to do it. Go, Ruben Gonzalez!
