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A Lesson
A few years
ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or
mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash.
At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish
to run the race to the finish and win. All, that is, except one boy who
stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry.
The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. They
all turned around and went back. Every one of them. One girl with Down's
Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, "This will make it better."
All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together. Everyone
in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People
who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know
this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves.
What truly matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means
slowing down and changing our course. |