This Week's Quotation:
…and pluck, ‘til time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon
The golden apples of the sun.~ WB Yeats, “Song of the Wandering Aengus”
The Golden Dream
Rev. Berry Behr, Global Interfaith Ambassador
The Paris Olympics are over and I am left marvelling at the disciplined intensity of the pursuit of physical achievement that for some is such an all-consuming lifetime project. But more than that, I am fascinated by the human stories behind some of the drama.
It hasn’t all been perfect. We’ve seen many tears, disappointments, and frustrations to offset the glory of the relative few who achieved those medals. That made me think about our human definitions of success and failure. Within this very physical endeavour, there have been some displays of real human greatness, when the glory of the human heart has triumphed over the physical. For me, that’s the story of the Olympics. Everyone there has worked incredibly hard to be there. Every Olympic athlete has invested immense courage, commitment, and long hours of hard work in their quest for Olympic glory. And the journey hasn’t been a purely physical one. Olympic status takes something more than purely physical prowess.
My favourite Olympian this year is Alison Gibson, a member of the American dive team. Whether it was nerves, a miscalculation, or over-excitement, she somehow knocked her feet on the board during her first dive, causing cuts and bruising. She continued to compete, finishing last in her event. The next day she said: “Our worth is not defined by one painful moment. I am who I am because of the journey it took to get here. I will not let the pain and shame of this moment define me and my worth.”
Doing your best is a spiritual practice that must encompass the great moments as well as the painfully challenging ones. What looks like a failure on the outside may feel like a momentous achievement on the inside. The true gold is the radiant self-knowledge that refuses to be cowed by external judgments, bullying, and unkindness. I don’t know if Alison has a spiritual practice or what that may be, but her powerful response to “failure” is one of the best demonstrations of sovereign Attunement that I have ever seen. The gold in the heart—hers, mine, and yours—is the brightest medal.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world’s sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
What a magnificent lady, courage, humility, honor. I honor her and support what she said.
I’m with Gibson, Yeats, and especially Rev. Behr. While success can be defined financially, politically, etc., it is not true success if it is not spiritually. Thanks so much, Berry. Love, Tom
What looks like a failure on the outside may feel like a momentous achievement on the inside.
When we can remember that how others see us is often defined by how they see themselves – it can make it much easier to really touch what is within us that is good and true.