Hey, Where’s My Gold Medal? Where is Yours?
STORY/PICTURE:
Have you watched “Nyad” on Netflix?
It’s the story of Diana Nyad, American author, journalist, motivational speaker, and long-distance swimmer. Spectacular work by the cast, inspiring story, blah blah blah.
But it makes me mad.
What is Nyad’s big feat? She swam all the way from Cuba to Florida on her fifth attempt at age 64. Maybe she didn’t get an actual gold medal for that, but close enough. It is her claim to fame, and success.
Sure, it’s a huge deal. Definitely a story of grit, determination, belief, the power of community and support - but still.
Why are all the glory movies about sports? What about life’s challenges?
Why do athletes like Nyad get all the glory, when thousands of ordinary mortals deserve a gold medal (or for Annette Bening to portray us in a film) for our lives?
Where is my gold medal for raising two kids alone, surviving emotional abuse and abandonment, sticking by my son through the fear and grief that schizophrenia brings, for (yes, I admit it) once eating a whole can of frosting?
And, like Nyad, I didn’t do it alone.
I’ll bet you didn’t either.
If you want to hear the story, check out this podcast. (I’m not often asked about this one)
Do you deserve a gold medal, or at least a standing ovation?
What’s your “I deserve a gold medal” story? Feel free to share in the comments!
ACTION STEP:
Keep a success log. Small ones, big ones. Reread it often. Remember: success comes in many forms.
RESOURCE:
Rethinking Success: Eight Essential Practices for Finding Meaning in Work and Life
byJ. Douglas Holladay
KICKASS QUOTE:
“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”
- Henry David Thoreau
*What's in a SPARK?
Story
Picture
Action Step
Resources
Kickass Quote
