My Olypmic Golds

As an individual with a competitive spirit who loves both participating in and being a spectator of sports, I have fully enjoyed watching the 2010 Winter Olympics. From the number of hours each competitor has put into mastering their sport to their fearlessness and the unbelievable feats they have made, I have found myself both admiring the individuals, but also becoming a little bit jealous. I know I'm not alone when I wonder why I couldn't be one of those individuals respresenting my country and competing for an Olympic gold.

Night after night, I have been sitting watching skiing, figure skating, or snow boarding and trying to figure out what it is that I could be great at. For a while, I was stuck on sports. Unfortunately, I kept being reminded of the fact that I am 23 years old and becoming a top competitor in a sport where 20 year olds are winning gold medals is highly unlikely (Although I still think if I wanted to I could master the women's half-pipe with snowboarding!). Then, I realized there are plenty of things outside of sports that I could still be great at, I just haven't put in the time or effort to be that great.

For instance, the first time I attempted making a strawberry cake from scratch, it was not only edible, but quite scrumptous! Also, miraculously, the first time I made peanut brittle, my family full of picky eaters even enjoyed it. But, baking isn't my passion-just something I enjoy doing on occasion, especially around the holidays. I did realize, though, that there are areas of my life I could definitely excel, but I just have to pinpoint what I enjoy enough to spend that much time focusing my life on. So, I made a mental list of the things I most enjoy and then decided what a "gold medal" would be in that area of my life.

I came up with two things. First, I love reading fictional novels and I love writing- especially poetry. I decided that if by the time I am thirty I have written and published a book, be it a children's bedtime story or a novel, I will have won my gold medal. Second, I love nature and working outside. Therefore, my second more challenging gold medal to win is managing my own vineyard and creating wines. While I know neither will come easy, gold medals are not suppose to be easy to win.

Luckily, unlike the Olympians competing in Vancouver the past two weeks, I will have a lot more than 4 years to achieve my goals of a published book and a winery. However, like the Olympians, I will wake up each morning knowing that I at least have a chance at winning medals and that the outcome is only up to me.