The wind furiously whips and surrounds the racer as he prepares to give it his all on the snowy slope.

He pushes back and then propels forward. He careens up into the air trying to spin around several times. He falls hard onto the ground. He picks himself back up and continues on…

Maybe he didn’t get enough momentum. Maybe he should have tried to play it safe…no, not at all. He went for it. He gave it his all. Even though he fell, he didn’t give up. While he may not win a medal, if he truly did give it his all he should be proud.

Watching the Olympics the past few days has been so inspiring. Seeing figure skaters, snowboarders and several others give it their all has been amazing, but I have been more inspired by those who routines weren’t perfect.

Some would falter and fall hard onto the ground, but they immediately would get back up and continue on. They didn’t let that fall keep them from finishing strong.
We may not be at the Olympics, but we can learn from their Olympic spirit.

Don’t give up.

Get back up and finish strong.
Hebrews 12:1

“…and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”

Quotes from athletes and coaches:

“Failure I can live with. Not trying is what I can’t handle”. – Sanya Richards-Ross

“The hard days are the best because that’s where champions are made”. – Gabby Douglas

“Victory is in having done your best. If you’ve done your best, you’ve won”. – Bill Bowerman

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life…that’s why I succeed”. – Michael Jordan