Achieving Greatness

The closing ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics took place just a few days ago. I watched the games with my family and was in awe of the achievements of the Olympic athletes. It was amazing to see how far the human body can be pushed when it is properly trained, nourished and maintained to perform a single feat.

I have to admit I was surprised to see so many athletes competing that were close to my age. Not just competing, but winning medals. Abby Wambach is 42 and was the second highest scorer on the US women’s soccer team to earn a gold medal. Here is a woman near my age, but in much better shape and able to compete with women half her age. I have to admit it - watching her made me feel a little regretful. I looked at myself and thought ‘What could I have trained for?’ or even ‘What am I dedicated to?’

The hours of training that these athletes put into what they do is astounding. They remain focused on their goal. They finish the race. They win the prize.

Maybe that is part of my problem - I lack focus. In my life, I wear many hats. I am a wife whose husband travels. This means that I occasionally have to be Dad, repairman and chief decision maker. I am a mother of three, one in high school and two in middle school, none of driving age. Therefore I am cook, chauffer, errand boy, counselor, banker and authorized signer of all permission slips. I have a job working for a growing new business which has added a new layer of titles. I am not unhappy with my life; I need to realize that out of necessity I am a ‘Jack of all trades’ and may never master any.

Nike produced a commercial showing a 12 year old boy named Nathan who hails from London, Ohio. The commercial shows Nathan running in the pre-dawn hours and the audio says “Greatness is no more unique to us than breathing." The commercial ends by challenging viewers to “Find your greatness.”

Have you found your greatness? I have found mine. My goal is to be the best wife to my husband that I can be. I will strive to be the best mom to my children that I'm able to be. And I will give my all to serve our clients to the best of my abilities.

Will I win a gold medal for any of these achievements? Probably not, but at the end of the day, I will know that I worked toward greatness and the people I care about, in addition to myself, will benefit greatly from my herculean efforts.