Jay and I have been watching the Olympic games in the evenings in the very small time frame between ending work and falling asleep on the couch. It isn’t much time at all. In the several minutes before we can’t keep our eyes open, we have watched swimmers create new world records, gymnasts who defy gravity, the fastest runners on earth, and learned their inspiring stories of strength and perseverance. It is quite amazing what humans can achieve and overcome when they set their minds to it.

As much as I have enjoyed watching and cheering, something has started to bother me, and it is this thought: the rain forests are being cut down, species go extinct every day, global warming is wreaking havoc everywhere, animals are suffering, people are dying of starvation and homelessness right here in America, and the world is gathered together watching who can play tennis or golf the best. Now, I am not trying to be un-American or anti-Olympic games or a killjoy, but that thought is definitely making the games less exciting for me.

In competition, the fittest survive. Having the most money, power or fame are the ideals and values of our country. The concept definitely creates world power, great athletes, famous movie stars, and one percent of the population’s wealth. For the rest of us, those who are not trying to set a new world record, or who are not seen on TV, or who are not billionaires, where does that leave us? To what ideal or value do we hold onto?

When my son was in elementary school, one day he and his classmates were lined up to go in from recess. While they were waiting for their classroom to open, a bully was shoving a new kid in line. The new student was crying and pleading to be left alone, the bully kept pushing him harder and harder, and the teacher was nowhere to be found. My son calmly walked over to them and put himself in the middle of the tough kid and the newcomer. My son quietly said to the bully, “Hey, pick on someone your own size.” With the smaller child protected, the bully proceeded to pick a fight with my son. The teacher finally realized what was going on and sent my son and the antagonizer to the principal’s office, where after explaining what happened, my son and the other boy were suspended from school! My poor son came home that day crying because he thought we would be angry or disappointed in him. Instead we heralded him a hero and took him out to dinner to celebrate his victory. At great risk of getting in trouble, my son protected the innocent, and stood up for what was right, and we were so proud of him!

Why is standing up for innocence not taught or revered in school? Why isn’t philanthropy taught in every single classroom? Why aren’t communities doing what they can to help the environment? When my brothers and I were children we were encouraged to grow up and be successful, to make money, to deny our heart’s longings and dreams, and to be “responsible.” Thankfully I didn’t listen!

I dream of a world where we cherish love and kindness first. I dream of a world where our heroes are teachers and firefighters and generous people. I dream of a world where a sense of community is taught in our schools, not competition against each other. I dream of a world where we are heralded for our great acts of compassion towards others, not our great acts of success in finances or physical ability. I dream of a world where a child who protects an insect or another child on the playground is elected class president. I dream of a world where the Olympic games is a competition to save endangered species, or feed the starving, or create homes for the homeless, or build no-kill shelters, or save the planet.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still watch the Olympic games each evening and marvel at how they fly through the air or move so fast. I’ll cheer as they win gold and listen to their national anthem. However, what makes me really misty-eyed are the quiet, unsung heroes who are out there every day on the front lines to create peace, safety, love, and kindness for others - those who leave a bowl of food for a homeless cat, or bring a stray dog in from the heat, or buy dinner for a homeless man, or go vegan, or recycle, or offers a stranger a smile, or water a wilted flower bed, or plant a tree, or pick up trash even when its not theirs, or care about others with their whole heart. Those are the real champions who give me hope, who I’m clapping for, who deserve the gold!

Ellie Laks
Founder, The Gentle Barn