The Message of the Olympics: More Hope Than Ego Sees

I want to be honest here. I did not see the logic of awarding this summer’s Olympic games to be hosted by Rio de Janeiro. I knew briefly about the extreme poverty and high crime rates, not to mention government corruption and general discontent. I believed that the decision was undoubtedly a result of extreme nasty, ego-fueled politicking. Last night when I watched the opening ceremony, some things clicked for me. I was the one who had been allowing my ego to operate for me.

My first suspicions might be accurate, but when I evaluate with my heart, it doesn’t matter. Why? My heart operates on the principle of believing, faith, which implies I take people at their word — or organizations, governments, etc. Now, I will quickly, closely, and astutely check out some people and groups who have already proven themselves to be truth-deficit right away. Hearts do make judgments and come to decisions about information of any sort. My point is this: the Olympic organization has really noble words as their philosophy. Their investment, to me, backs up their words. Ego will pick at every point and any person that doesn’t agree or conform to ego-truth of “agree with me or you’re wrong.” Heart weighs and decides wisely, in love and expression of core Self.

Last night as I watched over 10,000 athletes, world-class athletes, who by nature are extremely competitive, march into that stadium in Rio, they were smiling, waving, and acknowledging one another, and all was done with something like 75,000 in attendance and another estimated 3 + billion watching world wide. That is some positive energy, and to me, it takes precedence over all the competitions that will occur.

Yes, I am fully aware of how politically charged this Olympic organization is, but it just doesn’t matter when over 10,000 highly competitive people can live together, compete, eat, and work together in a small city, enjoying life together. They all have common goals, but those goals are developed and executed in very different ways and under even more different circumstances, political, religious, philosophical, cultural, and social constructs. This is a living illustration of what can happen when people follow their own hearts and live their own truths; this is acceptance of diversity and valuing of diversity while living personal goals. The petty, self-serving ego cannot distract from the truly big picture: when we live to express core Self, an infinite, abundant Universe opens to us, one allowing us to live Self in expressions of love to all others. Peace, work, and mutual care and concern are the order of the day.

Last night, I listened to the words of Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee, a man in an almost impossible position: “In the Olympic village, the values of our shared humanity are stronger than the forces which want to divide us.” The new Refugee Team was welcomed, according to Bach, in “a world of crisis, mistrust, and uncertainty.”

What creates this “crisis, mistrust, and uncertainty?” I think Bach is zeroed in on that: “We are living in a world where selfishness is gaining ground.” Boom! There it is! Ego. I can’t stress it enough: knowing and following one’s heart offers the solution to this increasing rush to insure the lower self, the physical self, is cared for at any and all expense. When core Self is known, identified, and lived, the development of that Self results in blessing to any who are affected by the ripples produced through the life purpose, vision, and mission of those living Heart truth, ripples of growth, peace, love, encouragement.

And this is exactly what I see as possibilities for the nation of Brazil and, more specifically, the city of Rio. A group comes in bearing massive amounts of positive energy and displays, lives, and develops that energy in one of the neediest large cities on the face of the earth. Ripples of Heart, overall. Even though the primary life filter is not necessarily Heart for every athlete or the authorities of their countries, the total energy field vibrates acceptance of diversity, equality of humanity, and possibilities of peace.

The official word of the IOC is to promote peace and cooperation and unity because we are all humans, and that purpose is being expressed, lived out in an area that needs such hope, that must grab hold of a realistic, working model. Again, ego will pick and pick in order to show the inadequacies and failures of the IOC. Who cares? Is the idealistic model being lived out? Yes? Then shut up unless problems are raised that can further promote Heart purpose.

What does our heart tell us about the Olympics? To me, it’s hope, it’s a real possibility. Will it be lived out by the host city? Will it produce transformation in three weeks? Probably not, but again, it doesn’t matter, not if we seek to live our own hearts.

​I love the brass for the Olympic song!