There are six billion of us.

We all come from unique places with unique ways of looking at the world.

We don’t always agree,

but for a few shining weeks…
we set it all aside.

We come together to stand, and cheer, and celebrate

AS ONE.

We forget all the things that make us different,

and remember all the things that make us the same

-VISA Olympics Commercial

If only everything could be solved with the Olympics.  Think about it.  War as we know it wouldn’t exist, the only discrimination would be based on physical ability in the context of a sport, and perhaps there will be a new sense of American pride.  The reality is, that the Olympics brings the world together.

Watch the opening of the Olympics and you’ll see that you are not the only one who has pride in your own country.  Watch the opening of the Olympics as people from all over the world proudly march for their country, and you’ll realize how big the world is.  Look at the faces and emotions of each team, they’re the same as yours.  Sure they might speak a different language and have different customs but persistence, strength, passion, excitement, and dedication have no boundaries or barriers.  Sports and athletics are a universal language.

When a person watches the Olympics, it forces the mind to think globally.  You’re coming into contact with athletes you are probably unfamiliar with, and with sports that you are unfamiliar with.  You’re no longer cheering on for your favorite local team, you are cheering on your country.  Before you know it, these male and female athletes represent our country and the competition between countries turn into sportsmanship.  It really is a beautiful thing that countries that can be so different, yet be able to connect within the walls and rules of an international athletic competition.  Citizens of different countries participate side by side in the competitions, and citizens of different countries cheer side by side as fans.

Moreover, it brings a country together.  America, as diverse as we might be, is one team.  Americans east and west, south and north, can all be united as they gather around the television for these weeks.  Somehow differences are put aside and similarities surface.

Watch the Olympic games as much as you can, and perhaps it will give you a different perspective on life.  It will take your thoughts out of your daily routine and out of your local world and draw it to the greater spectrum.  All of a sudden, we are linked and connected.  “Estranged” countries and differing customs are not so foreign to us anymore because they exist vested in the lane next to us, or in the opposing corner.  We see characteristics of ourselves in the expressions our opponents.  We see characteristics of ourselves in the expressions of the fans of our opponents.

At the end of the day, the Olympics are a celebration of being human and of what we can do as humans.  We can compete, we can have pride in our abilities and our nation, we can learn from the mistakes, and celebrate and be thankful for the medals.  Rooted in history, the Olympics is an ancient celebration of our humanity.  Are you watching?