Under Pressure

The Olympic Creed



"The most important thing

is not to win but to take part,

just as the most important thing in life

is not the triumph, but the struggle.

The essential thing

is not to have conquered,

but to have fought well."





As I continuously watched the Olympics unfold before my eyes, I was struck by how disciplined these athletes are. I struggled to give at least an hour for my review everyday for the last two months and that was already difficult for me. These people have been training day in and day out for the last year or long before that and they only have one chance to make their mark.



Due to our lack of 'wide coverage' of the Olympics, I only get to watched those events that were being shown in NBN and that is very very limited, let me tell you. They only show gymnastics, boxing, and some basketball. There was also swimming, but only the qualifying heats, not the actual competition. So I get to see all those who tried and didn't make it to the finals. I saw all those who failed.



But I also watched the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics and I have watched several Opening Ceremonies and Closing Ceremonies and there were significant similarities. All the athletes are happy just to be there. All of them are basking in the glory to be a representative of their country. You can see the joy and pride in their faces, just because they take part, they participated and they bear the title, Olympian.



I'm humbled by all of this. I've been complaining about the pressure I've been under lately. I thought I was justified in feeling ultimate pressure, because I sacrificed a lot, and I studied for a year, and reviewed for 3 months, all culminating and leading to my taking of the licensure exam. But they were there. Probably spent more than 4 years of their lives, training for half a day, everyday and they only get one chance.



If they are not complaining, I have no reason to complain. If they are happy just to 'take part' then I have to thank God also that I had the heart to pursue my dream. If they failed and still managed to look up and smile and just say 'I'll do better next time.', then, I'll keep it in mind, that whatever the result is, I'll pick myself up and say "I'll do better next time.'



After all, the important thing is not to win, but to take part.