The olympics of life

February 8, 8:20 PMPhoenix Spiritual ExaminerTorie Cooper

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Canadian speedskater Denny Morrison.

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck

The 2010 Winter Olympics are about to begin in the beautiful city of Vancouver, Canada. With so many sporting events there'll be something for everyone. We'll eagerly cheer on our favorite athletes competing in our favorite events. Who will win the gold, silver, and bronze medals? We'll sit on the edge of our seats until we know. Olympic Games tend to pull our emotions from one side of the spectrum to the other. We can quickly go from unbridled enthusiasm to deflated disappointment in one fell swoop. Imagine what the athletes must feel?!!!

Although most of us aren't Olympic figure-skaters and are too 'chicken' to drive a hurdling, high-speed bobsled, on some deep level we can relate to the challenges facing athletes. We can relate to hopes and dreams achieved as well as hopes and dreams dashed. There are no Life Olympics that are celebrated as such. Yet life is often an olympic-sized experience in which we find ourselves physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually challenged. We face towering mountains of doubt and fear and slick, slippery surfaces of uncertainty. We face competition with others for jobs, college placement, and mates.

In the Olympics of life we aren't awarded medals. We may achieve an anniversary for sobriety but never see our face on a Wheaties box. We may refuse to be limited by a disability but never be interviewed on ESPN or the Today show. We may overcome paralyzing fears but never hear the cheers of adoring fans begging for our autograph.

Ours is a strange society whose heroes are often athletes and athletes do indeed work hard. But in reality, average, ordinary children and adults engage in heroic battles with life each and every day. If you're one of these individuals for whom daily life is often a challenge, please know you aren't alone and your hopes and efforts do not go unseen. You have an enormous team behind you cheering in full support of every step forward you take. There are people who love you and pray for you whether you know of them or not. There are strong and loving angels by your side. There is a Beloved Creator embracing you with joy, peace, and everlasting love. The universe is good, is God. You were born with a gold medal around your neck - feel it, live it, and walk tall. You are even more amazing than the athletes you admire. You are the hero in your Life Olympics!

Peace to all

For those of you in the Phoenix area, The Franciscan Renewal Center is hosting a series of sessions titled 'Catholics Can Come Home' each Thursday evening 7:00 - 8:30pm from February 11 to March 25, 2010. For more information contact Pat Julian at (480) 948-7460 ext. 160 or email Pat at franciscanway@thecasa.org