Monday, August 6, 2012

Ten Second Life

Deb: I think I have already made it clear that I love the Olympics and watch every second I can make time for. I admire, above all, the drive and commitment and passion of the Olympians. I love focus. I love when people know what they want and let nothing stand in their way in accomplishing their goals and their dreams.

A Canadian newspaper critic was going on in his usual snide fashion about the 100 meter race and how foolish we are to make a big deal over it, given that it only lasts ten seconds. Today as I was waiting with bated breath for the men’s hundred meter to start, my husband surprised me by saying the same thing the critic had said. He wasn’t disparaging the 100 meters like the critic did, but he was saying in a nutshell that “it’s almost like watching Nascar, except given that it is only 100 meters, it’s over in ten seconds. I mean what are they going to do after it is over?”

Wow. We could not be farther apart in this regard because I see it as something else completely.

Firstly, all due respect to my husband, I do not view their race, their training, and their moment in or out of the sun, as something they need to parlay into something else. It is what it is, in that moment in time and all the time spent leading up to it.

To me the 100 meters is a glorious parallel of what life is and the living of it. Working and playing and loving the path that leads us, ever closer, to our goal. And that ten seconds? (or less than ten seconds if you saw today’s final) IS life, I think. It is this precious life of ours that gets shorter and shorter. At this stage of my life, I get it. What did I do with my ten seconds? What did I accomplish? And more that that, what can I still do with the seconds that are left?  Shorter and shorter it gets as we near our end time here on earth. I see that ten seconds as the brass ring that must be grabbed every time we wake up to another day.

Ten seconds is a lifetime and a lifetime is ten seconds. It makes glorious sense to me.

Barbara: Of course you know, Deb, that I am just as much of an Olympics fanatic as you are, and I want to tell you: I LOVE this analogy. First of all, I also LOVE the 100 meter race. It is exciting and dynamic in ways no other race can be. To me that’s the nutshell of “why do it”. No other race can give witness to that burst of human physical prowess or answer the question “what is the top human speed?” The other races, by comparison, must factor in stamina and endurance. But on a totally metaphorical sense, I think the comparison between life and the 100 meters is sublime. It is over in a flash, and so many of us—if not all—will ask at some point, “Well, why did we do it/bother/make such a big deal over it?” We’re all running it, whether we realize it or not. So let's train for it, fight for it, revel in it. Eat it up. It really does go by so very quickly... Just remember, the glory is in the running, not the final medal at the end.

36 comments:

  1. The critic's comments remind me of what some people have said about my husband's area of study, math. "What can you do with a math degree?" His response is, "Study more math." Then the critics ask about applications for careers and so on.

    My husband loves math. He's passionate about it. He tells me that there is beauty found in an elegantly written equation. Yes, we see only a drop of what athletes do. But athletes train and participate in their sport at these levels because they love the sport.

    I hope that makes some sense. But, it's time for bed. Good night! :)

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    1. Jo it does make sense. and yes it's true, we only see a drop. I admire your husband for his math brain. Wish I had it.

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  2. Hello ladies, the "once in a while poster" here :-). You know, I identify so much with what your saying, precisely because today is a very important day for my little island of Puerto Rico in the Olympics, in a race which lasts less than 50 seconds.

    At 3:45pm, our biggest hope for a medal will be in the event of the men's 400m hurdles. Our athlete, Javier Culson has dominated and won all year long in this event, and is one of the favorites to win. It's not a big deal to many (just another race some might say), but to us Puertoricans, it's a HUGE deal because we have never won a gold medal. We have very few medals, all bronze, and always in boxing. This would be historic for our island if he wins... and the race lasts less than 50 seconds. But those 50 seconds sum up all the training and sacrifice for those athletes, and in our case, a country's hope and pride. I'll happily take a medal of any color, but how sweet it would be for us to hear for the first time ever our national anthem.

    These days we live in a world where we wake up to bad news day after day (especially in my island), and 10 seconds (though it may seem like nothing to many), if only for those 10 seconds the world stops and celebrates another human being's accomplishment, that makes me very, very happy and say that there is still hope.

    Take care, God bless you.

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    1. Sheyla, this is a lovely piece! And so heartwarming, guess who I'll be rooting for today in the hurdles??? Although, I admire all the efforts and stories and accomplishments over adversity -- physical, mental and otherwise -- a Javier win would be a truly great ending to the hurdle story! xo

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    2. Well, he didn't win the gold, but he won the bronze (YAY!!! :-D). But you see what I mean, those few seconds for me were of positivity, not negativity. And I like how Rigel put it: "It's only 10 seconds. What will you do afterwards? Live with a forever altered spirit, a forever changed life." Amen! :-)

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    3. Sheyla, I was glued to my TV during the hurdles race -- but it was to watch the absolutely incredible and spirited soccer game between the Canadian and American women. Unbelievable in so many ways. But as soon as it was done, I checked the hurdles results -- and saw the bronze for Javier. Congrats to him and to your wonderful positive attitude! Can't wait to see it later in the re-caps.

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    4. Sheyla I am so glad he won the bronze. It's funny how people forget that winning ANY metal is wonderful! I hope you are proud today.

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    5. I know right?.... I mean Our girl Saina Nehwal Got a bronze and I couldnt be more proud!!

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    6. Oh I am Deb, very very proud. First medal ever for us in a sport other than boxing. I know many are too, but as it always happen, there are those that are disappointed, and they have let it be known. Their problem, their loss. He represented us well.

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  3. Great analogy. I saw the race (not on the TV) but found it online. INSANE but super awesome! In the blink of an eye almost.

    "The glory is in the running, not in the final medal in the end." Couldn't have said it better myself. I should keep this in mind...

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    1. Kelly we should all keep this in mind shouldn't we? I was thinking that all the while I was writing it.

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  4. Oh.My.God! Deb, this post is soooo sublime!! The analogy is perfect. I'm not into Olympics much but I do LOOOVE their focus and determination and that connection with their souls. I mean its so strong that nothing, NOTHING can break it. You can see it in their eyes, feel it in their beings... its THAT STRONG! That is the one and only thing that always gets me intrigued about olympics. THE PASSION!

    And it is true. Deb, you are soooo lucky that youve realized the true meaning of life. And that you keep that in mind and live it everyday. I also feel very very lucky to feel that way so early in my Life. I have seen people make too much of everything, I've also been the person who just loathed life sometimes but then I return to my true sense and I realize that LIFE.IS.SUPPOSED.TO.BE.FUN!
    We arent down here on earth to figure things out, to feel pain and fear and to get tensed over single thing and then wait for death. We are here FOR THE JOURNEY, on this MAGNIFICENT PLANET. We are here to run the race to feel the adrenaline and passion and love for what we do. Its so invigorating to KNOW THIS! To live every moment we have the way WE WANT. I mean thats what I want... I want to my life to be...

    HAPPY.HEALTHY.HAPPY.HEALTHY.HAPPY.HEALTHY.HAPPY.HEALTHY.HAPPY.HEALTHY..........DEAD!

    (Phew, got a little corny there.... Ahh wtf. I needed to write that. I needed a "be-happy fix". Been dreading everything for a while. Well I guess that oughta do it! Dont feel like myself without a little pep-talk ;) :D)

    BTW Barb You said it PERFECTLY!! Its truly about the journey, not the end!

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    1. Shalaka you are so right! You are very lucky to know this so early!!!

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  5. Oi, I love the Olympics, too (watching it, while replying, btw).

    What I love about it is that every athlete worked hard for being there, and it means so, so, so much to them.
    I love to see their joy, their happiness and their relief, even though they don't win.
    I love to cry with those who didn't win or did win and are just overwhelmed.

    I don't care if it is a 3 hour match, or something that is over in the blink of an eye (like diving or a discus throw or high jump).

    They all worked so hard for their own special moment. And when it's over, it's over. You can't get it back. It's the now that counts. And it cumulates in this moment. Breathing, concentration, thinking, living.

    I think it's great to compare that to life itself. For me it's: Carpe Diem. Don't hesitate, don't think about alternatives. Just grab it, and do it...even if it only lasts less than 10 seconds.

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    1. Becki I loved the "don't hesitate". That is key for me. Don't hesitate.

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  6. In the grand scheme of things, I don't think that's a big deal in the Olympics. Running a race in under ten seconds is certainly an accomplishment for someone who's been training for that for so long. He's achieved goals he's set for himself. And he beat out a lot of other runners who also found that ten seconds important in their lives. So good for him.

    However, it's ten seconds out of the two weeks. The US has had success in rowing, shooting, judo... all are sports in which US women have gotten gold medals this year. Several women have also gotten silver and bronze medals, all in sports that, as far as NBC is concerned, doesn't warrant more than a second, if that.

    My opinion has been tainted by the US broadcasters/commentators for each sport. It was a "disaster" that so and so didn't make the finals. It was a "disaster" that that gymnast didn't make the finals, or that one fell. The world comes to an end every time the US doesn't get the gold medal. NOT "doesn't medal," but doesn't dominate in the sports they deem important.

    Here's a bit of perspective, courtesy of a commentator last night: The US vaulter, when all is said and done, had a grand total of ~25 seconds of the Olympic experience. Yet, she's been all over the news here, because it was a forgone conclusion that she was going to win. And she did NOT.

    Not all ten seconds are created equal.

    PS I've gotten cynical in my old age. I've started watching the Olympics with the volume on "mute." I don't care who's "expected" to win. I care that 8 people are lined up there and I want to see who DOES win.

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    1. "Not all 10 seconds are created equal" - when it comes to coverage, this is (sadly) so so true. But on mute and with coverage, maybe they can be :)

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    2. Dawn I agree. I watch the Olympics with pride of country but I really watch to see what the world is doing honestly. If it is that slanted, I don't blame you for muting.

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    3. I think you're absolutely right- NBC's coverage borders on ridiculous. I'd really like to see another network cover the Olympics in the future. And those commentators? The single most annoying thing in the world!

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    4. Ah it's the same here in Germany...everybody expects so much of these athletes (who seem to be good), and when they don't make it, they're disappointed...

      Some commentators said some really nasty things, which made the athletes sad...

      Of course I want Germany to win...but if they don't...they don't.

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  7. i love your analogy deb and you are right . in the grand scheme of things our lives last no longer then the 100m metre race. this year has given me as big lesson in that too .

    as far as the Olympics go , i come from a country that so far has won no medals at all ( although we may yet win 2 at boxing ) . i am still proud we have done our best to compete . same with life . we are not going to do everything right all the time but if we can say we truly did our best who can say we are wrong .

    by the way tell Colin that 100 metre runners sometimes run in other distances and also they have to qualifying tu run a final . for example there are 200 metre and relay so it is always not all about one 10 second race . from what i can read online what athletes do when they are finish competing is party , the Irish even have an official Olympic pub where fans an athletes can mix once competition is over :-)

    going off on a tangent for a moment , as i have said Ireland are yet to win a single medal so if you come across the bantam weight boxing please cheer for John Joe Nevin who is in the semi finals , i think our commentators on Irish TV says he has won at least a bronze medal . our female boxer Katie Taylor has also won her first bout today . she is an amazing athlete considering she is four times world champion and 4 times European champion . much as i hate boxing i would love to see them lift a gold medal to give Ireland a little bit of glory in an Olympics that has sadly been lacking in it for us .

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    1. WE will keep a good thought for your boxers Linda. It is clear that your pride is great no matter what the outcome. That is the way we should all feel right? My brother feels the points and standings should be judged per capita. Interesting idea!

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  8. Loved your thoughts on 10 seconds.

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  9. I love watching the olympics. But the running is my least favorite event. Dont get me wrong I still watch it and pay attention. I just find it the least entertaining. But I cant run a mile so I give them huge props for being such fast runners : ) But on the other hand refering to Colin's point,.....I love NASCAR. It keeps my attention the whole way through. So maybe I just need to give the running sports a bit more of a chance and I will learn to appreciate it more : )

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    1. We all love what we love right? It either moves you or it doesn't. You and my husband see eye to eye on this Kelly.

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    2. *gasp* A fellow NASCAR fan? Awesome!!! :)

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  10. "Ten seconds is a lifetime and a lifetime is ten seconds."

    I could not have said that better myself. Perfect. :)

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  11. The 10 seconds of the last push to have your baby slide from your body and out into the world. Or, the 10 seconds during which the surgeon lifted your child from your abdomen and held him/her up into the light.

    The 10 seconds after your parents drove away leaving you at university, on your own for the first time.

    The 10 seconds during which you said, "I do," to your spouse, and the 10 seconds during which he said the same to you.

    10 seconds in the arms of a tight, tight hug from a best friend you haven't seen in a long, long time, a homecoming that heals a broken corner of your heart.

    10 seconds during which you walk across a stage and take into your hands a long fought for diploma.

    It's only 10 seconds. What will you do afterwards? Live with a forever altered spirit, a forever changed life.

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  12. I am not a big fan of track and field, but I do understand the power that 10 seconds can hold.
    10 seconds can mean everything.

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    1. True Steph. Hell I have seen one second mean everything.

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  13. I want to turn Colin's comment back to him and ask: What has he done since winning his Canadian Comedy Awards? He got, what, 2 minutes on stage there? (No disrespect, just trying to make a point.) Did he stop working? Were those awards the culmination of his career? Where did he go from there?
    From my observations, he kept going. He still enjoys what he does, he's GOOD at what he does, and the award was an acknowledgment of his achievement.

    Where does Usain Bolt go from ten seconds? To nine seconds, or to eight seconds. If he is willing and able, he'll keep going. If not, he still has an Olympic gold medal, because he was better than anyone else.

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  14. Good point Dawn. And yes, Usain will always have that medal to show his great grandchildren with pride!

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  15. "Ten seconds is a lifetime and a lifetime is ten seconds. It makes glorious sense to me."

    It makes glorious sense to me, too. You're a very wise woman indeed, Deb.

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