Salute to Simone Biles

 

Simone

“Today is not the day to lament Simone’s absence from the Olympic Team, it is to celebrate her presence on the planet, one that she makes better, one that she brings beauty to, one that she does not need to hold up to win.”
John Pavlovitz (Progressive Methodist)

          I feel very sad when I see the comments about Simone Biles from people who cannot see the beauty in what she did by leaving the Olympic team. So many great athletes and other celebrities are ground into dust by their adoring fans; they end up drunk and damaged by their own greatness. Simone had the presence of mind and the strength of character to call it when she knew she could not perform up to par. She did her team a favor, and her act of self-preservation allowed them to perform at their best and not stand in her shadow. She also acted as a role model for other, younger athletes who may be fragile and vulnerable. She showed them how to take care of themselves even in the face of great pressure.

          Simone Biles has nothing to prove. She has strived for excellence and exceeded all expectations. The people at Fox news and others who have been so cruel in their comments about her will have to deal with the karmic consequences of their words. For that, I do not envy them since I have dealt with such consequences many times, and agree with the old adage, “Karma is a bitch!” Especially when you are glib and self-certain, she will bite you where it hurts most.

          The question is, why would we condemn someone for simply seeing their own need for rest and recuperation? Someone who has consistently performed at the peak of the game for years, who has no real competition in her field because she does feats that no one else can or will do. What makes some human beings see that and cheer on one occasion, but then turn on her the next? In other words, what causes some of us to lack compassion? I hark back to our lizard brain—like a shark, we smell blood in the water and go straight to it. It’s common, and sad.

          I salute Simone, both for her hard work and excellent performances, and for knowing herself well enough to take a break when she needs it. That’s what real strength looks like. I celebrate her “presence on the planet,” and I hope Fox news is taking notes. They could use some new talent.

                                                  In the Spirit,

                                                  Jane