What does it mean? Webster says an Athlete is: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.
I witnessed great athletes yesterday as I have for many years. These athletes, were pumped, excited, nervous. They have been training for months, some even years.
I watched as many ran with all their heart and gave it their all. I watched as some fell and instantly got right back up and kept on running. I watched as some didn’t know when to stop, and continued running 
I watched parents cry & siblings cheer!! I watched cousins full of pride yelling, “GO!!! RUN!!! JUMP!!”
Yesterday I watched some of the bravest athletes surrounded by their greatest cheerleaders. “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” This is the Special Olympics pledge.
In ancient Rome, the gladiators went into the arena with these words on their lips. A pledge that I believe is universal and one that we should all follow. One that we should all learn to instill in our lives, and learn from while watching these great athletes.
Yesterday, I yelled and cheered for my nephew, my Andrew, our Athlete. He did great! He loved every minute of it and felt all the great pride & energy we were giving off which clearly showed! He came home with his medals and loved standing on the podium to receive them
Why wouldn’t he? He trained, he fought, he ran, he gave all he had, and won. But even if he didn’t he tried his best.
Last night when we got home I had a long conversation with my other favorite athlete. Max’s baseball team did not do well at yesterdays game. Actually not doing well is an understatement 
I asked Max if he knew where he went wrong, if he had tried his best. He answered yes & no.
Webster defines Best as: excelling all others : most productive of good : offering or producing the greatest advantage, utility, or satisfaction. I think as an athlete and frankly in all you set out to do you need to dig deep and compete with yourself in order to be the best you can truly be.
Before we went to bed I told Max to remember what went wrong in his game and what he saw in the Special Olympics. “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
Make today count! Be your TRUE Best in all you do! Make it a Great one & Get Moving!
Besos y Abrazos….xoxo ”….Barbara por Atras, Barbara por Adelante, y Siempre Barbara por Adentro!”
