What Its Not About

Once again, the Olympics are upon us.

They are a tradition that has stood the test of time.  The best athletes in the world compete for their country's honor, with the pride of the nation and the respect of the world resting upon their shoulders.  It truly is a glorious spectacle.

I marvel at the nuance surrounding the Olympics that is truly impossible to ignore.  Countries at war and countries at peace marking their place in the history books, uniting under the guise of sport and letting the politics, the casualties, and the bad blood fall to the wayside, if only for a few days.  The games are true proof that we can be united.

We are living in tumultuous times and the world... its a'changin.  Wars are being fought, uprisings are growing stronger, and the mudslinging has only just begun.  All our differences are being shoved in our faces and made impossible to ignore, and sometimes it can be really difficult to think there might be any hope in sight.

And yet... around the world, people are glued to television sets and radios, whether they be in our cozy homes or be the only one in the entire village.  We watch, listen, and wait.  The Olympics, somehow, bring us all together.  They remind us what we hope for.  They let us believe again.  Triumph and greatness are possible... no matter where you come from.

Without heroes, we are all plain people and don't know how far we can go.
-Bernard Malamud

This all reminds me of a FIFA commerical from the 2010 World Cup days.  It struck me, because it said all the things we need to hear about world events such as the World Cup and the Olympics, when we put all our fears and fights aside and focus on one thing that, against all odds, unites us.

Its not about politics or religion or the economy.
Its not about borders, history, trade, oil, water, gas,
mineral rights, human rights, or animal rights.
Its not about global warming, global pandemics,
globalization, GDP, NATO, or Kyoto.
Its not about elections, sanctions, proliferations,
he-said, she-said, my land, your land, no-man's land.
Its not about the stock market, black market,
orange alerts, green homes,
hope,
change,
fear,
or loathing.
Its not about communism, socialism, or capitalism.
War or peace.
Love or hate.

This is about the one month, every four years, when we all agree on ONE THING.
 

ONE WORLD WATCHING.