RealTalkAJ

I found a story in this magazine about Olympic athletes that are leaving the village a little early. It’s amazing to me because of how rare of an event the Olympics are and people will leave because of less than ideal living conditions. I’ve had moments where that was the case but I had to thug it out to see the light. And because of that I think it made me a better person.

Leaving home earlier than planned

I found it pretty funny and sad that athletes left the Olympic Games who qualified before they ended because of the living conditions.

It’s not to outright mock these athletes because they qualified and did something most of the world couldn’t.

But when I think about the time I chose to live in a homeless shelter outside of the city where I lived for the past 7 years it makes me think.

I had rules that wasn’t what I was used to. The food wasn’t what I wanted all the time.

I couldn’t even get a library card since I didn’t have an address technically.

It was considered my home though and I planned on staying there all the way until I finished their program.

Obviously it didn’t work out that way and I took an opportunity as soon as it came.

I’m still in route to gaining my own living arrangements but I’m much closer than where I first was.

Uniquely rare events

Consider how incredibly rare it is to qualify for the Olympics.

An event that only comes once every 4 years.

Seems pretty crazy that someone would choose to opt out of seeing the entire event finish out until it’s over right?

I’m being critical.

I understand.

But you just can’t help being a little curious about what the final straw was for some of the athletes.

Thug that out

We’re in a culture where too many people are spoon fed every life lesson and don’t even learn anything when it happens.

It’s sad to watch the world change in front of my very eyes because I’ve watched this very thing happen to generations above me.

Even some below.

I’m talking about Gen Z of course.

Don’t get me wrong though.

There’s lazy people in every generation and we’re talking about Olympic athletes but I’d like to know what sports they were in.

I couldn’t see this happening with sports that required grit to be competitive.

Pressure creates diamonds

I wanna talk a little about being resilient.

To me it means that you can find a way to get something done.

Even when there’s nerves and odds you’re battling against.

Some respond to it differently than others and I believe it makes the difference between being independent long term or short.

It’s a motivational lesson in its essence. These are messages that we all could use.

It might be a traditionalist lens that I’m looking through but personally I’m grateful to have these values.

If there was a program to give credit for these gifts then without a doubt it goes to wrestling.

I may be biased having spent over 10 years in the sport but there’s others I’m sure it should apply to as well.

Final thoughts

I made this because the prompt told me to and I like challenging myself creatively.

I took the time to find a story that I believed most would consider uninteresting.

Funny thing is I actually am interested.

My level of relatability might be all over the place but I really think I could relate.