Michael Phelps...ever heard of him? The guy is awesome. Eight gold medals in the Olympics. Holder of the swimmers' record. Holder of the USA record. Holder of the world record. The last event was the one that put him at the top, the team relay. One article I read said, "It was billed as a team relay race, but it was only about one man."
Was it? Jason Lezak had a vested interest, for sure. He was the oldest man on the U.S. swimming team and swimming so fast he broke two world records himself. But now no one is talking about Jason Lezak, the last man in the relay that put Michael Phelps at the top. He could have harbored bitterness that he wasn't getting the attention; he could have given the race away. It all rested on him. But he was a team player. He did his best knowing that someone else would get the glory. What's that like?
Are we willing to be the Jason Lezak for someone else? To work hard to support someone so they can shine, or do we need to promote our own talents? Life is like a team relay race in a lot of ways. We need each other. It's not about one man. It takes the whole team.
So congratulations, Michael Phelps. AND congratulations, Jason Lezak and the rest of the USA team!
So congratulations, Michael Phelps. AND congratulations, Jason Lezak and the rest of the USA team!
3 comments:
I like this post. Rick Clendenen says that's the difference in mentoring and fathering. A mentor only takes his protege as far as he himself has gone. A father, on the other hand, always hopes his child will surpass him in every area. It's time we start "fathering" and not just mentoring. Looking for ways to help others instead of always putting our own interests first. Whew! That's a tall order.
Wow, well-put, sis! And what a good reminder that we can shine, but sometimes it's not about "self."
But seriously. Lezak and the other relay dudes better get some blingin' watches after Phelps' windfall.
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