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The Olympics ended today and for a few weeks we all got a chance to enjoy the friendship and the true spirit of sportsmanship between nations.  The distractions were still there of course.  The never ending bad news of the economy, bickering politicians and Russia’s invasion of Georgia still dominated the news but it was great to see some of the 24/7 cable news cycles devoted to the “goodness” of the Olympics in Beijing.
 
As I watched the closing ceremonies, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride to be an American.  I didn’t feel this way because we won the most medals but because of the many shining examples of what it means to be an American that came to light during the Olympics.  In this post, I salute the athletes, the coaches and especially the parents for reminding all of us how great this country is and of the reasons why so many hope to one day realize the American Dream.

 
( This is who we are. )
 
- A boy fleeing the violence of his war-torn country comes to America and becomes a track star.  He is chosen by his fellow American athletes to carry the flag on behalf of the United States in the March of Nations.
 
- A proud mom nurtures an Olympic dream.  Thousands of carpools and practices later, with no government subsides, Debbie Phelps watches her little boy become the greatest Olympic athlete of all time.
 
- A Chinese-American immigrant opens a little gymnastics gym only to have Shawn Johnson walk in one day.  He coaches her to a gold medal in his birth-city of Beijing.
 
- A daughter of a former Soviet gymnast wins the all-around women’s gymnastics gold medal for the United States.
 
- The men’s volleyball coach and his family suffer an unspeakable tragedy at the beginning of the Olympics.  He returns to his team a week later and coaches the team to Olympic Gold—first in 20 years for men’s volleyball.
 
 
As we put our heads down and charge through the current economic recession, we must never forget the pride, the spirit and the ingenuity of the American people.  We have overcome before and we shall overcome again.
 
Only in this country…can a 10 year old immigrant child grow up to write such a blog post.

I just finished reading “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki.  I considered the book an easy read and one of those you can read cover-to-cover in a few days.  There are many points in this New York Times Bestseller I found very interesting and the book did generate some “bulb lighting” moments for me.  In a later blog, I will analyze some of the highlights as it pertains to business and entrepreneurship.
 
For now and because it’s the weekend, I wanted to share with you something Robert Kiyosaki and I have in common.  We both have a deep fondness for a poem written by Robert Frost.  Many of you know of it.  For me, the beautifully written poem exemplifies entrepreneurship–the good, the bad and the ugly.
 
So, on this hot summer day in Southern California, I salute all entrepreneurs out there with these inspiring words.

 
The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, 
And sorry I could not travel both 
And be one traveler, long I stood 
And looked down one as far as I could 
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
 
Then took the other, as just as fair, 
And having perhaps the better claim, 
Because it was grassy and wanted wear; 
Though as for that the passing there 
Had worn them really about the same,
 
And both that morning equally lay 
In leaves no step had trodden black. 
Oh, I kept the first for another day! 
Yet knowing how way leads on to way, 
I doubted if I should ever come back.
 
I shall be telling this with a sigh 
Somewhere ages and ages hence: 
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— 
I took the one less traveled by, 
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost / 1915

It’s the weekend so here is something light for everyone.  If you haven’t seen this video yet, you must view it.  If you’ve seen it already, you’ll enjoy viewing it again.  Regardless of what’s going on in your life or business, this video will absolutely make your day.

By the way, it has been viewed close to 30 million times on YouTube.  Look for my upcoming blogs about how to maximize YouTube for your business.

NEVER give up on your DREAMS!

ENJOY!

 

 
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