Gosh. The Olympics. I mean this with all the seriousness in the world: such excitement, very WOW. I mean, the things these people do is unreal. Did you SEE Katie Ledecky last week win the 800 meter?? She not only won Gold AND broke the world record, YOU COULD NOT EVEN SEE THE OTHER SWIMMERS IN THE TV FRAME. And can we please talk about the #FinalFive SLAYING in Gymnastics? Oh, and Michael Phelps. How many golds does he have now?

I could literally go on and on but I'll pull it together for now.

Amidst all the crap and evil our world and nation are witnessing there could not have been better timing for the 31st Olympics. For decades, the Olympics have been a symbol of unity, strength, power and the betterment of mankind. I don't know about you but I think our world/nation needs a reality check and is should acknowledge the importance of the Olympic games.

So, en lieu of the 5 rings of the Olympics,

Here's 5 important things the Olympics teach us:

1.) We're all the same.

Right now, we hear a lot about racism and how "this country hates this country". The Olympics, though divided by nations, shows us that we are capable of incredible things as a human race as a whole; we are able to run like cheetahs and swim like dolphins regardless of race or nationality. Race, in the Olympics, is irrelevant. It doesn't matter if you're white, black, blue, or fuchsia. If you're the fastest, strongest or score the most points, then you're the best.

2.) Competition brings out the best in people.

The constant competition to be the best brings out the best in people (though sometimes the worst as well). The Olympics are not only a stage for people present at the games, but a world stage, visible across the globe. These.

3.) Hard work gets you places.

Most of these athletes have been training literally their entire lives for these 2.5 weeks. I don't know about you but when I see these people perform, it makes me remember that anything worth value in this life takes hard work and dedication. In our world of instant gratification and infinite laziness (Netflix is dangerous, y'all), we often forget that we have to actually "work" to get the things we want in life. These experts are superheroes; they do superhuman things daily. We too can be superhumans in our own fields through hard work and dedication.

4.) Americans come in all shapes and colors.

During this election, we've had some serious racist remarks and claims. I'd like to take this opportunity to remind us all that "Americans" are not just a specific kind of person; it doesn't matter the height, weight, skin color, ancestry, etc... The USA Olympic team is a beautiful depiction of our nation. They are diverse. They come from different walks of lives. They are STUDS. They are Americans.

5.) Winning isn't everything.

At the Olympics, the goal is obviously a gold medal but, success is in the eye of the beholder. If one doesn't win the gold, does that mean they're unsuccessful? Hardly. They're at THE OLYMPICS. Do you know the percentage of people who make it to the Olympics is? Well....neither do I. But it's really really small.

In an interview with Katie Ledecky, she stated, and I paraphrase, the medals are awesome (she currently has 1 silver and 4 golds already in Rio) but the people are what make it worth it. That's super profound. An Olympic gold medalist who has broke world records values the people she's with more than the medals she's won. To me, it sounds like Ledecky has had a SUPER successful Olympics. Not only for the medals, but for the lifelong friendships she's made.

I think we can all recognize the importance of the Olympics, especially now. The motto for the Olympics if "Citius-Altius-Fortius", which is Latin for "Faster-Higher-Stronger". The Olympics teach us to push on and to be the best versions of ourselves we can possibly be; personally and as a nation.

May we all continue to press on, work hard and never give up.

Cheers,

ZER