So what is a winning spirit? Consider for a moment what
makes one person a winner in life and another one not. You may feel
it's related to how many "gold" or "silver"
medals one wins. You may think it's related to good health, wealth,
supportive relationships, loving families or perfect opportunities.
Maybe you equate it to talents, abilities, skills or
"intelligence."
When I think of "winning spirit", I think of
positive attitudes, courage and an unwavering belief in
possibilities. I also think of Scott Hamilton, a former Olympic gold
medalist in figure skating. Some of you may remember Scott. Between
1980-1984, he won fifteen consecutive championships. He even had a
series of specials on television during prime time and was inducted
into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
But did you know that Scott also has had a series of
challenges in his life? At age two, Scott became ill and stopped
growing. It took years before doctors were able to correctly diagnose
the rare illness that was paralyzing his intestinal tract and
restricting his breathing. With diet and exercise, Scott began
regaining strength and growing. He was told once he was too small to
compete internationally.
Scott was dismissed from the Ice Capades because he was
a male, so he created his own professional ice skating show. He was
diagnosed with cancer. His response was "I feel 100% confident
that I can overcome this disease and be back on the ice in a few
months. He had chemo and surgery and was back on the ice in months
performing well. Then the brain tumor appeared. Once again Scott met
the challenge and came out on top.
Scott's message: It's important to meet a challenge,
embrace life, move forward and know you can get back to your better
self even after a life-threatening illness and treatment. Scott is a
small man with a truly big heart and a winning spirit.
So what's your story? Are you stuck in blaming,
negativity or self-pity; or are you determined to feel better, do
what makes you happier and meet your life challenges with courage and
a positive "can do" attitude? You don't always get to
choose your life circumstances, but you do get to choose how you
think and feel about them and how you respond to them.
It's up to you. Are you ready to be the winner that you
were born to be? We can all cultivate that winning spirit. We all
make choices that either strengthen it or weaken it. Increase your
awareness of what you do and think that makes you feel better and
what makes you feel worse. Believe in yourself and your ability to
know what makes you feel like a winner. Practice thinking happier
thoughts and doing what brings you joy; and I'll see you in the
Winner's Circle.
You are a winner!
