Mogul skier Hannah Kearsey receiving the gold medal.
"Remember thou too art mortal."
— phrase repeated by a generals's slave
celebrating a Roman triumph.
Yesterday at the 2010 Olympic Winter games an interviewer asked pairs
skaters Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig if the skating interfered with
being with their off-ice partners on Valentine's Day. The pair, excited
at a surprising 8th in the short program, happily told the reporter that
they were more than glad to skate the day away in the Olympics, and that
they would celebrate Valentine's the following night. When it comes to
competing in the Olympics, pretty much everything else gets put on the
back burner — even love.
But not always. The death of Georgian luger Levan Gureshidze, as death
usually does, put the Olympics in perspective. Other things across the
years have reminded us of the wider world at large also. In particular
the murder of 11 Israelis at the Munich Summer games in 1972 was a cruel
reminder of fame and mortality. And political events have influenced the
Olympics at least since Berlin 1936.
Nevertheless athletes themselves seem to continue on and somehow remain
above or at least a bit distant from the fray. After years of training, they
push on to try to live their dream and participate in the games; and, hopefully,
to give a good performance and win a medal.
Last night I watched American mogul skier Hannah Kearney get up on the
podium and receive her gold medal. In sports, this is pretty much the
loftiest peak there is.
A very high peak. I got to wondering this morning about those peaks, and
also about the valleys. Those who achieve gold at the Olympics, or in some
cases those who earn silver or bronze, or who simply participate and give
a personal best, will perhaps in some few cases never reach that high point
again in their lives. Others, perhaps most, will go on to other peaks — their
wedding day, perhaps a college graduation or honors for academics or
community service.
But there are of course valleys. You don't need to tell an Olympian about
the valleys. Most have devoted years or perhaps decades to their sport. And
often this comes at the cost of great personal and financial hardship. The
valleys are usually wide in life. The peaks few.
I once attended a lecture by a visiting professor of philosophy in which
she presented her analysis of Aristotle's view of happiness. For Aristotle,
she claimed, happiness was not a goal that was eventually reached; but
rather it was the journey to that point, that is the process of what we
do that leads to it. I think the modern phrase "It's not the destination,
but the journey" is in a similar mode.
Olympians who stand on the podium and get a medal will certainly remem-
ber that great moment all their lives. But I think that years down the road,
thinking back on it, it will not be the temporary triumphs that they value
the most. It will be the things in between that we all experience, the greater
bulk of it, daily life, getting up in the morning and falling in the sweet
bed tired at night, the barbecues, the good day at work, time spent with
friends, the dark woods, the laughter, birthdays, deaths, births — the
process of our lives as souls.
a wonderful post Eddie. Once I had to write down the "peaks" in my life and the "lows" in my life in a time line.When I finished I did surprise even myself. Events that changed my life for ever! I always thought my childhood it was "a happy time " so not! actually my happiest 'peaks " are after i did make peace with myself …As for the Olympians,It is amazing of the sacrifices these athletes make ,in order to be where they are… It was a great night last night! I did watch too.. :heart:
"Once I had to write down the "peaks" in my life and the "lows" in my life in a time line. When I finished I did surprise even myself."I don't doubt there were a few surprises. I mentioned in one post that it seemed to be for the most part the periods of adversity that I remembered the most and which were of the most value for me. If only we could receive some sort of "perspective card" early in our lives that we could flip over and give us that.
@ Angeliki.PS Since we are talking about the Olympics here's a little gift for you — I'm sure you will recognize it! :)I still think the Summer games should always be held in Athens. Might not seem fair, but that's how I feel about it.
:)something that Greece wanted very much,I think you should share your beliefs on Greek sites, that will land you with many women that will love you for it :yes: I personally want the stolen art from Acropolis and other sites to return to Greece… Olympics is an idea. Like democracy ,they are all entitled to it.You can tell I am not your typical Greek.. ๐
"What happens in Greece, stays in Greece.":p :pSeriously, they began there and lasted (if I remember correctly) some 700 years until they were finally abolished by the Roman church. It's the Origin. It should be there. I'm just sayin… ๐
Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
I do appreciate the picture, it is lovely! The idea of Olympics was for a universal peace. Those days each state in Greece was a country. Many Greeks will be thrilled to have the games in Athens. As Greek I will be too, as a person wanting peace in every corner on earth I will go with many countries involved… :heart:PSI am copying this one. I have pictures of my elder sister Aristea in a scene like this… The most beautiful women in Greece participate in the ceremony . She is a woman that even if she wears rotten materials for clothes will look picture perfect… very unlucky woman but extremely photogenic.:heart:
Okay! Payday I'll go down to Niko's Restaurant and flash that photo and see what happens. ๐
A lovely and thoughtful post, Ed! :yes:
Very good post Edward. I have noticed that you have been being very philosophical and introspective recently. Any particular reason? Or just because you're staying in the house and have lots of time to think?
:up:
@ Linda. I don't know Linda. Nothing has really changed in terms of my life. Over the past couple years I've been distancing myself from things do to my illnss. And I've had good sucess doing it. But recent events — Allan's death — have pulled me back to the planet a bit more. Maybe that's it. @ Richard. Thank you very much, kind sir! ๐
Nice. The professional sport is not made for enjoying but for work – there is no happiness in it, except for those ho reach some peaks. And even then it is for a short time. Enjoying in what you practice, exploring yourself in so many levels, testing…. Do they have peace within their own? I doubt it. On the other hand someone could say it is excuse for ordinary people. For ones who didn`t give all and reach some "peaks".Well, I can`t care less about what they think ๐
Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
… so true, it's all that really matters :up:
Ha! Better get that pot on. :yes:
@ Darko. A dark Darko this evening (this morning)!I understand about the "excuse" business. "For those who attempt hard things, for them life is hard." But some people don't challenge themselves very much. I wouldn't say that I have anything against them doing that, but it seems a shame to me in that trying for that which is beyond our reach can be so wonderfull. And it doesn't have to be an Olympic dream. It can be something like picking up the guitar and taking lessons. @ Dirk. I'm keeping an eye out for the German flag, Dirk!And a few other flags of my Opera friends. :yes:
Originally posted by edwardpiercy:
No, not dark, just a lack of caffeine :coffee: :zzz:
Almost finished it. Will have to hurry to go to work now…
:p Ed, you don't have to it's just a black, red, yellow (Germans call it gold instead of yellow) striped piece of cloth :p
Well here's the ones I know so far:Black, red, and yellow stripes — GermanyWhite with red cross — DenmarkBlue with gold cross — SwedenBlue with gold cross and white bars — NorwayRed with blue and white cross bars — BritainBlue with tiny red and white cross bars and stars — AustraliaRed with yellow stars and a symbol in the middle — GeorgiaWhite with red maple leaf — CanadaWhite with red circle — JapanRed with some sort of bullshit on it — ChinaThose are the ones I know off the top of my head.And oh, that red, white and blue one with the stars — I think that's some country in the Americas or something.Name those flags! ๐
You forgot Serbia! Serbia has entrants in the Olympics this time! Don't know what their flag looks like though. Darko?
No I don't know Serbia. :doh:I'll look it up.
๐ you are designing a new one?
No ๐
@ Darko. Thanks for assistance, Darko! You know I have a World Atlas that has all the flags, but it's like 15 years old and totally out of date. @ Dirk. I don't know if Darko is designing his own flag or not. I don't think it's that one though — no sword. :p
The recent one ๐
๐ ah, :doh: forgot about the Serbian Ninja :p
๐ ๐
That is a beautiful flag, Dare. Very decorative. Yeah, needs a swordsman in the lower right corner.