A friend recently asked why it was taking me so long to write my next journal entry. I told him that I didn’t know what to write, that I needed to be inspired by something. Then I realized that I was answering my own question. What inspires me? What inspires everybody? It is a deep question and my journal was further delayed as I tried to answer the answer to my first question. Anyways, I came to a conclusion that I am inspired by two specific pieces of my life.
First I am inspired by the journey. Skiing has turned into a journey, and every journey has to have a purpose. My purpose is obvious to me; to be the best skier in the world. To get there (I am learning) takes a lot of time, patience, and hard work. To wake up everyday and work so hard and do everything I can to be the best–that’s all just stepping stones along the path. To look back at what I have done as well as look forward to what I want to do inspires me. The achievements of the past and the unpredictability of the future is what keeps me going.
Second, I am inspired by the people around me. Some people might say this is a weakness, that I should be able to fuel myself. But the sincere appreciation of everyone that is helping me makes me want to show that their effort is paying off. When I stand in the start gate, I want to prove to my coaches that their endless amount of work and support can produce results, and to my sponsors that they are backing the right person on and off the slopes, and to my family and friends that just a normal person from a small town can make it on the world stage.
Right now, this is what I live for. Everyday is special to me, and not everyone in this world can say that. I know I am one of the lucky ones. But having an inspiration can make everything worthwhile. Maybe you have seen the video of the dad who competes in triathlons, pulling or pushing his disabled son the whole way solely for the purpose of seeing the joy on his face? Talk about an inspired dad.
So, to challenge your brain for a couple of days, what inspires you? What is it that keeps you going? Sometimes it is important to remind yourself every now and then!
STACEY COOK is an elite member of the U.S. Ski Team’s alpine skiing program. She competed in the 2006 Olympics in Torino, Italy and was a member of the 2007 World Championships Team... {more»}
