Put Your Heart Into It / Au Revoir Paris

A moment to pause

As the Olympians say au revoir to the City of Love ❤️, we continue to celebrate their accomplishments and heartfelt dedication to their sport, from the gold medal performances to those who set records just by making it to Paris. 

The ancient Greeks and Romans held the heart in high regard. They believed it was the seat of emotions, the source of passion and determination, and the Egyptians saw it as the center of a person’s being, as evidenced by their mummification process.

At the Paris Games, the athletes didn’t just rely on physical training and mental fortitude.Their performance was ultimately a reflection of the heart they put into their sport, especially when faced with resistance. 

When resistance questions if we have what it takes, our hearts respond, “Just watch!” They tell us to get back up and keep pedaling after we fall, and if we listen to them, they will let us know if we are heading in the right direction. They are a reservoir of energy, both vulnerable and courageous, and if it’s where we remember when we “know it by heart.”

Putting our heart into something doesn’t make things perfect or guarantee success. It’s the process of pursuing goals that you know will throw unexpected challenges at you, yet you still take them on because there’s satisfaction in knowing you’ve given it your best. It’s a way to approach life not because it will help you get more trophies but because it will make you a better human. 

Beyond being a platform for witnessing excellence, the Olympics also serve as a catalyst for introspection. They prompt us to pause, breathe, and deeply reflect on how much of our hearts we put into life and our endeavors.

• What am I truly putting my heart into? 
• How can I summon the strength to get past the resistance?
• How can I get out of my mind into my heart?

With the level of othering and political and societal divisiveness today, it’s time to put our hearts into what truly matters and summon the energy and courage to move forward together. Since the beginning of time, it has made it possible to be the best we can be—like every Olympian. 

Until next week, have fun storming the castle!

Michael 

I love a good shift in perspective. News outlets will report that Team USA (I’m a homer) won the Olympics and China had the second-highest medal count, but if you look at medals won per capita, Australia did the best, followed by the Dutch. So, who won? Who knows? Maybe, if we strip away the politics, it’s a reminder for us to put our hearts into something and compete (v: strive in common, strive after something in company with or together). 

This week’s conversation on The Kintsugi Podcast is out early. It’s with The Queen of Gravel Cycling, Alison Tetrick, who will support The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which starts tomorrow. You might think our conversation is about cycling, but it’s about how to recover when the unexpected happens with grace and belonging. You can now watch Kintsugi on YouTube by clicking HERE.