The Olympics have begun. People around the globe are tuning in to witness the greatest display of athleticism, grit, and God-given talent the world has to offer. It's truly something to behold.
One thing I love about the Olympics is the stories of seemingly ordinary people who train in a specific specialty so that they can take their shot at the Olympic Gold once every four years. These athletes, in sports like Table Tennis, Badminton, Field Hockey, and even Track & Field, sometimes work two or three jobs to support their career in athletics. It's an incredible sacrifice to have a chance at glory.
Unfortunately for most of these athletes, they'll never get to experience that glory. Take the US Men's Doubles Badminton team. They arrived in Paris after years of training and sacrifice to lose every single match they had. Then I thought back to the Olympic trials, to all the teams that had trained and sacrificed, only to lose to a team that would lose every match themselves. A tough pill to swallow.
What I want to ask those athletes and teams more than anything is: "Was it worth it?"
All of the time spent away from home, the money spent on subscriptions, nutrition, equipment, and travel, and the various other personal sacrifices, was it worth it? I hope that most people would confirm that it was and identify the multiple benefits of having trained so hard for something, despite the unfavorable outcome.
However, I think for most of us who aren't training for an Olympic medal, the takeaway is that maybe the end we so desire does not justify the means required to get there. Maybe the goal we've set for ourselves is too implausible, unrealistic, or far-fetched. Or maybe the results of achieving that goal simply won't meet our expectations and we'll be left disappointed and regretful despite our "success."
Oftentimes we pursue lofty goals in life without considering the sacrifice that my be required to get there. We think that if something is challenging, it's worthwhile. Life will be challenging enough as it is. Be it finances, time, or relationships, we have limited resources in this world. So let us endeavor towards ends that justify the means required.
Fact
Team USA has medals in every sport besides Badminton, Handball, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline, and Table Tennis.
Action
Watch an unpopular Olympic sport this week to support those athletes who sacrifice the most.
Question
Is what you've already given up worth what you'll receive if you achieve your goal?
Quote
“Satan and his devils want a whole race perpetually in pursuit of the rainbow's end, never honest, nor kind, nor happy now, but always using as mere fuel wherewith to heap the altar of the Future every real gift which is offered them in the Present.”
- C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
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