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Writer's pictureJenn Bauer

Adopting the Olympic Mindset

All eyes are on France for the Summer Olympics. The Olympics beautifully represents what it means to come together in unity over our shared humanity and challenge ourselves and each other to be our best versions. Being the greatest versions of ourselves, without apology or holding back, inspires our peers to also rise up and shine their brightest.

 

Can you imagine what the Olympics would look like if everyone representing their country dimmed their light due to an illusion that by doing so their peers, or even folks watching, wouldn’t feel lesser-than or bad?

 

So why do we do that in our own lives?

 

When a woman is complimented on her fashionable attire, why does she say, “Thanks, I got it on sale for super cheap” instead of, “Thanks, I have achieved a level of success that I feel abundant enough to buy myself things that make me feel good.”?

 

Or when someone lauds praise on another, so often the recipient feels the need to immediately return the compliment or credit someone or something else…rather than receiving it with a simple, “Thank you, I appreciate your noticing” and allowing it to integrate into their heart.

 

Can we please fully own our gifts, talents, skills, knowledge and achievements?! Acknowledging and honoring our greatness does not take away or limit anyone else’s, nor is it egotistical or selfish. We are not meant to hide or shrink ourselves under the horribly limiting guise of humbleness. Shove that humble-pie in the trash where it belongs.

 

Staying small serves no one.

 

You are magnificent. You are brilliant in your own unique ways. You are here for a reason (or you would not be alive).

 

In the words of my mentor and dear friend, Gail Larsen, from her book Transformational Speaking, “We are all originals, nowhere else duplicated. This is an indigenous teaching – that we are all “original medicine,” born to this earth with gifts and talents that are ours and ours alone. If we do not bring those gifts and talents forward, they are lost to the world for all time.”

 

While we’re at it, can we also please then celebrate others’ wins?! Another’s achievement says nothing about us nor reflects that we are any lesser than. Feeling jealousy and judgment only means we lack the belief in ourselves that the same is possible for us to achieve. Let’s instead cheer them on knowing that we are also fully capable of reaching our best if we give ourselves permission to shine and pursue what lights us up.

 

Let’s have our own Olympic attitude and mindset in how we show up in the world, both for ourselves and for our peers.

 

We’re all one, united in our differences and similarities. We must stop seeing ourselves as separate as that only limits us (and not just in perspective). If one of us suffers, we all suffer. If one of us succeeds, we all succeed.


Help someone else see their light by shining your own as bright as you can. And if you witness someone else’s light, let it spark your own flame of greatness within and serve as a reminder for what it possible for yourself.

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