The Daily Inspired

I have to admit, I am not a big fan of ice skating… although my wife loves it… So today’s post will be dedicated to her, and also to the women’s final of the Vancouver Olympics this evening. She is very excited to watch it. In her own words, she loves the grace, the power, the precision, and even the speed that it takes to ice skate!

This video is of the ONLY ice skating performance to receive perfect 6.0’s from ALL the judges. It is of Torvill & Dean in the 1984 Olympics. Enjoy!

Do you remember your childhood dreams? Think about them for a second…

I remember imagining myself at the buzzer making the 3 point shot to win the game… Or making the final touchdown in a football game and “juking” the only defender left to score! But wait… I’m here in Rexburg, Idaho… At a computer… Just a senior in college trying to get my degree and start my family. Which is great, but I didn’t exactly reach my childhood dreams.

Want to know who did? Olympic Gold Medalist Julia Mancuso. Check out her inspirational Youtube video!

Usually you don’t see Americans playing cricket… Or Japanese playing football… Or Mexicans playing ice hockey. Why? Because it’s not their countries sport. They didn’t grow up on it, it’s not popular to do and that makes it hard. So why then is there a SKIER from GHANA who is so good he qualified for the Olympics?! In his own words, Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong says:

“It’s about doing something different if you have that desire. How much are you willing to sacrifice? How much are you willing to put into what you want to do?”

What do you want to do today? How much are you willing to sacrifice to do it?

I saw this commercial on the other night and knew it was going on the website! It is a great reminder of where not only all the Olympians have come from but where all of us have come from also and who we have to thank.

Thank you mom! I love you and thank you for all you have sacrificed for me… to get me where I am at today.

Even after trying my best to do Alexi justice I realized I hadn’t after seeing this last video. I tried to tell his story the best I could but this ESPN spot on him is better than anything I could put together.

After going through so much in his life he managed to still come out on top. As Alexi’s mom Sue is quoted saying in the video, “Think about what might have been, but was IS instead…” We can all learn from him and be grateful for where we are in our lives!

Checkout these related Facebook pages too:
US Paralympic Page
Joe Howard’s Page- A Teammate of Alexi’s

Thank you Sue for all the great info!