In 1986 Eunice Kennedy Shriver opened the first International Special Olympics with these very words. I heard these words for the first time this week. I was the key note speaker at the ‘Breakfast of Champions’ to help raise money for the Washington State Special Olympic athletes. The Special Olympics is an organization completely run by sponsorship, donations and volunteers. We were able to raise just over $110,000.00, talk about a brave attempt.
I remember when I was first on the Biggest Loser and how small I felt. I know you’re probably confused because I said small yet I was on the Biggest Loser. Behind my appearance, I felt so defeated in so many ways. I felt as if my weight held me back from so many opportunities and I was living my life on a small scale. I was accepting life the way it was happening vs going for the life I dreamt of. I felt discredited before I was even given a chance. Since I started working with Special Olympics I have remarkably felt many parallels. Like Biggest Loser gave me my chance, Special Olympics gives thousands a chance to hold their head high and feel the confidence that sport gives you.
I met a gentleman named Dustin, who has participated in the games for 15 consistent years. When he was first introduced to Special Olympics he was moving from one relative to another feeling really displaced and given up on before he was ever given a chance. He tells it as it is. He did not grow up under the best circumstances and acted out until he found his second family; people who were like him, talked like him and moved like him. He found this at the Special Olympics center in his area where the athletes got together to practice. He soon felt worthy and began to focus his energy on excelling at everything from golf to softball, and bowling. Through his brave attempts he has been able to live his life on a larger scale.
Dustin, like myself, realizes that we have a story. Our story does not have to define or confine us. It can be our opportunity to show ourselves, as well as the world, what we are made of. Dustin likes to say that if you give an athlete in Special Olympics a minute of your time to hear their story, you will have their heart for a life-time.
I share this experience because, like you have heard me say a million times, you can do anything for a minute. The question is what are you doing with your minutes? Are you sitting on your couch? Are you relaxing after a hard day at work? Are you listening to someone’s story? However you might be spending your minutes, be the one to give yourself a chance to live your life on a larger scale and win! Remember it is in the minutes that our lives are spent. Be brave in your attempt to living them to their fullest.
Tweet me what you have been doing and what you have on your mind. I want to know. You never know what impact you might have on me and what I might like to share next time.
Until next time,
Ali xo
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