You Can Do Anything

During the last two weeks, we have seen numerous awe-inspiring athletic performances and stories. From Michael Phelps to Missy Franklin to Katie Ledecky to Usain Bolt to Allyson Felix to Misty May-Treanor and Kerry Walsh Jennings to Mo Farah to Gabby Douglas to Bradley Wiggins to David Boudia to Chen Ruolin to Tom Daley to all the the other amazing athletes, many people throughout the world have stood up to cheer for their country (and for many other countries). We have seen some of the best athletes in the world compete in their respective events and show the world why they do what they do.

If you love the Olympics even half as much as I do, you have followed along cheering and celebrating and feeling sad for those who come up short. You have watched in awe as world records were broken and athletes did things you could never imagine doing. For all the amazing athletic feats that occurred, for me, one athlete stands out as an inspirational example of being able to do anything, if you put in the work.

Oscar Pistorius was born without fibulas and both of his legs were amputated below the knee while he was an infant. He learned to walk using prosthetics and has spent his life doing everything a "normal" person does.  In this Olympics, Oscar competed in the 400m and 4x400m relay. While not winning a medal, Oscar showed the world what is possible if you put your mind to it. He inspires anyone who watches him compete, including his fellow athletes. Oscar's story is what the Olympics is all about...rising above any challenge to compete on the world's largest stage.

What's stopping you from doing what you want? Whatever it is, I am guessing it isn't as big of an obstacle as competing in track and field without legs. Every one of us has the ability to do anything; we just have to believe in ourselves and not let anything stop us from doing it. Any time you think about giving up because things are too tough, think about Oscar's story. Think about what he has done with the hand he was dealt. He didn't give up. He didn't let anything stop him from doing what he wanted to do.

If you could do anything, what would it be? What's really stopping you?