The Olympics and Paralympics were held in Vancouver this year and it was an interesting experience.

I am not an athlete. I’m not interested in sports at all. As a matter of fact, when my husband starts talking to me about hockey, baseball, golf, football or whatever, my eyes glaze over.

I live one hour east of Vancouver, B.C. where the Winter Olympics were held this year. The province has been preparing for this event for the last five years and I have watched, cynically, as the proposed cost of the Olympics has probably quadrupled from what we were originally told it would cost us. Our children will probably still be paying for the privilege of having the Olympics and Paralympics here.

I wasn’t the least bit interested myself. But something unusual happened. In my opinion, Canadians are usually a pretty quiet, polite, reserved people. We leave the loud, exuberate patriotism to our neighbours to the south.

But suddenly everyone around me was sporting Canadiana. Canadian flags were in windows, painted on walls, attached to cars, on people’s clothing. Everyone was talking about how many medals we had won and what events were taking place.

My seven-month pregnant daughter and her husband took their three children: age 2, 4 and 6 into Vancouver for the day to see the special Olympic exhibits. Personally, I couldn’t imagine a more awful experience than to drag three little kids through the crowds all day while being seven months pregnant.

But I guess all the hoopla finally got to me. I decided that I would probably never again have the opportunity to participate in the Olympics. If I didn’t at least go into Vancouver and see some of the sights, I would regret it.

So, on the last Saturday of the Olympics (probably the worst time to go), in the rain, my husband and I drove part way in and then took the Sky Train into Vancouver. We had our picture taken in the Luge sled. I stood beside a First Nations man dressed in his ceremonial outfit and posed beside a statue of flying eagles.

Most of the time, we just walked around the city, in the rain. We walked from one venue to another, saw the two to four hour lineups for each one and decided we really didn’t want to see it that badly. Then we came home. But we went!

I watched my husband and son-in-law almost have heart attacks as the Canadian and American hockey team went into overtime, vying for the Gold – and Canada won! And I watched the closing ceremonies on TV.

I thought a lot about why events like the Olympics and Paralympics are so popular and I think the picture of the bird flying on the back of the eagle gives the reason. For a few days, we, the general public, get to rid on the backs of eagles. Their successes become our successes! Their Gold becomes our Gold. They are an inspiration to us.

There are many other eagles in our lives. Sometimes parents or grandparents. Sometimes teachers or coaches, political or social personalities will say or do something that will inspire us to try harder or be better. Think of the number of people that Oprah has helped to lift their vision.

I don’t remember who said it but I remember a quotation: “It is better to aim for the stars and drag your feet through the treetops than it is to aim for the treetops and drag your feet through the mud”.

Thank God for the eagles that help us see farther, try harder and fly higher than we would without their help!

If you are having a problem trying to be, do or have what you want in your life, it could be that there is hidden negative emotional conditioning that is holding you back. I can help you eliminate those, so that you can become an eagle and experience the thrill of flying yourself!