Chasing The Dream Of An Olympic Games

This post was published on March 24 2010 while on my journey to South African Olympic Trials and the 2012 Olympic team.

I’ve had this poem stuck up in my room, next to my bed for many years. It was given to me at a swim camp in 2004, not long after I had started training. It inspired me and got me chasing the dream of swimming in an Olympic Games. In the last 6 years it’s traveled with me from Malawi to South Africa, Namibia and now Spokane, Washington. (2018 edit – it’s since travelled with me to Skopje, Macedonia and Dubai in the UAE. ????).

I woke up this morning and read it again for the millionth time.

But this time it felt a little different.

There was a more feeling in it. One of realization I think. It was a realization that I am doing the things I want to do. That I am loving doing the things I want to do!

This motivational, “you can do anything you want” positive self talk might turn your bull shit radar on… That’s fair. You could argue “well, you can’t do ANYTHING that you want to do”, and maybe you are right

BUT you’d be surprised at what’s possible. With a little common sense and a healthy does of determination, dreams to become reality. You can wake up the person you want to be, doing the things you want to do. And that’s is exciting.

I haven’t finished chasing the dream yet. I still have a long long way to go. But I had to smile this morning when I realized that I am on the right track. And I that I am enjoying it as much as I thought I would.

So, what’s your goal, what’s your dream? How many steps did you take towards it today?

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3 thoughts on “Chasing The Dream Of An Olympic Games”

  1. Magnify Your Maker
    “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified.” I Peter 4:11 NKJV
    God endows us with gifts so we can make him known. Period. God endues the Olympian with speed, the salesman with savvy, the surgeon with skill. Why? For gold medals, closed sales, or healed bodies? Only partially.
    The big answer is to make a big to-do out of God. Brandish him. Herald him. “God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well…Then God will be given glory” (I Pet. 4:10-11 NLT).
    Love so that “he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!” (I Pet. 4:11 MSG). Exhibit God with your uniqueness. When you magnify your Maker with your strengths, when your contribution enriches God’s reputation, your days grow suddenly sweet.” Max Lucado

    I know you know where your talent comes from. I know you know too, that He will back you all the way to the end of your dream and for that I’m ever thankful.

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