Because I was honored to be nominated, and subsequently, selected as a 2002 Olympic Torch Bearer, I was asked today to comment on Fox 13 on the events in Paris. I appreciate that since that 12 degree January 5th in Chicago was a day of excitement and humility all at once. It was a fabulous feeling to be the only human being on the face of the earth advancing the Olympic flame. While I am no Olympic athlete, I was able to get a sense, albeit small, of what aspirations and belief being a part of something so big, long-standing could and did do for me...and great numbers of people.
Although I have not seen the segment yet, in the interview with Z, one thing that I did not clearly express is that the Olympics are not supposed to be political and by the protestors putting a political twist on them, it is only diminishing the importance and impact of the games...that separate and different cultures and people are clearly capable of having a healthy competition that encourages effort, dedication and focus...and none of it needs to be politically based.
Isn't pride and determination to be the best in a world-wide event enough...let's leave the politics everywhere from the local government to the UN, and let the sports and games continue to be the end products of dreams for many, and the hope for countless others.
Only Fools Rush Into Blame! Ever feel foolish? Embarrassed? Not in control? Who hasn't?
While each of us has likely experienced each of those things, we all handle them differently...
When we feel foolish, or made a fool of, it is imperative that we do not finger point and place blame...immediately or otherwise. While that may relieve the feeling of foolishness momentarily, it just shifted it in the eyes of those involved to insecurity or utter incompetence...and isn't that worse that the brief (and seemingly not-so-brief) foolishness?
As has been said many times in numerous situations, honesty is the best policy. When red-faced, caught without the answer, words, or your perceived sanity, remember, be honest. A great thing to do is smile, breathe, and say "while that wasn't what I anticipated, let's see...". That shows composure, buys you some time, so to speak, and keeps you in control of you...even if the situation feels out of control! Another thing to say with a sincere smile on your face is "this is awkward, and not insurmountable, so let's take a look at what is really happening here. I feel confident there is a solution or resolution." This allows others to know you are not attempting to cover things or side-step the issue, and also gives you latitude to assess and adjust.
Tap dancing, as it is often referred to, is not the best solution, although it is far improved over blame or denial. Ignoring something and shifting the focus is the precursor to the "800 pound gorilla in the room", and when the moment, presentation or conversation is done, tap dancing doesn't address the beast, rather it just moves it around a bit.
So, during this "April Fool's" Month, remember, as Albert Einstein proclaimed "Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.” With that, let's neither be angry nor blaming, and simply own our outcomes, accept responsibility, and be none the more foolish for any of it!
Thanks, and make your memories count...
