Going For The Goal

I have been so inspired by so many of the Olympic stories.  As a sports mom, I know the high cost that my boys have   paid to do what they love. This morning I watched an interview with Gabby Douglas after she won the women's gymnastics all  around gold. She said that she trains herself mentally and doesn't  waste time looking at the scoreboard.  What a wonderful lesson for life that is!

As parents, we often determine how well we or our children are doing by keeping score. We can lose out on the joy of the journey by spending too much time keeping score of how we are doing compared to other parents. The reality is that we have to keep our eyes on the prize, and do our best with rearing our children. In turn, it will teach our children to do the same.

I often tell my boys to just do their best and leave the rest to the Lord. Once you do all you know to do, no matter what the outcome is, you will know there was nothing else you could have done.  I am sure it is heartbreaking for the athletes who have prepared to the best of their ability and then miss the mark by making small errors or just having a bad day.

Only one team or individual will win the gold in a particular event. Even with this fact in mind, every Olympian trains with the thought that they will win that honor.  As parents, we must teach ourselves and our children to go for the gold in life.  We must believe that our dreams can come true and then take the necessary steps to make it happen.  Don't let what others are doing discourage you from investing in your dreams.

If you need some encouragement, take some time to follow some of the stories of this year's Olympians.  Some have lost parents along the way; they have had to move far away from home to get the coaching they needed; they have endured injury and defeat all along the way; but in the end, they achieved the ultimate dream of competing with the world's best athletes.

Often, the only difference between those who get what they want out of life and those who don't is having the determination to do what needs to be done. When we stop focusing on the competition and begin to look inward, we can achieve great things.  Stop keeping score and go for the gold!

DJ