I have been utterly fascinated by the Olympics for the past week, and really, who hasn't? It's a time when the world can come together and, despite all the conflict occurring today, have fun. I love turning the games on and cheering for the United States every chance I get.
The athletes competing are nothing short of phenomenal and inspiring, but one of my favorite parts about them is that they're "real" people. They are college students from the Midwest and they are moms to three kids. Their fame doesn't come from their family or money, or from being a model, but rather from their own hard work and determination.
In our society today, it seems as though the only people who make the cover of a magazine are gorgeous: well put together, perfect hair, perfect teeth, and tan skin, with a million dollars in their pocket. They spend money on their appearance and make the rest of us feel inadequate.
While Olympians are still making me feel inadequate...(Have you seen the flips the gymnasts do?) I like knowing that talent like that is obtainable with a lot of hard work and dedication. It doesn't just happen over night or through an Instagram post with over one million likes.
Katie Ledecky doesn't jump out of a pool with perfect hair and makeup, but she has a gold medal around her neck, which frankly is more impressive than great hair anyway.
Olympians continue to prove that you don't have to be glamorous to be great. For once, we're not obsessed with only looks and clothing. While this is on a rather large scale, I think it is a piece of advice that we can all take and apply to our everyday lives.
My greatness isn't on a track or in a swimming pool, but rather at school as I train to become a great educator. A pretty face and nice body will fade, but personality and skill lasts forever. Invest your energy in something that will benefit you over a long period of time.
If you need me this week, I'll still be obsessing over the Olympics. What do I have to do to get Simone Biles to give me a gymnastics lesson?