Medals, Masks, and Memes

Medals

As the Olympics wind down in Japan, I cannot help but be reminded as I am every four years of how much talent is exuded in the hundreds of Olympians participating from around the world.

The Olympics are always a marvelous universal panorama of color, flags, tattoos, and this year, hair styles.

The bane of being a “big picture” person is that I always wonder about those who got that far and then were disqualified for whatever valid reason. I wonder about those who participate but do not win a medal. And finally, I wonder about those who receive “just a Bronze.”

I do not know if it is just we Americans or if all nations perceive medals as we do, but my leaning is as Americans we are a “Gold or nothing” country.

I do think this year, Simone Biles, helped us appreciate a medal less brilliant than Gold, when in her honesty in dealing with the “twisties” she was able to return to garner a Bronze medal. Simone’s stepping back, taking a break, and returning is a model for all of us. When the parallel bars of our lives get too chaotic, jump off and give yourself a rest.

Masks

To wear or not to wear, that is the question. From President Joe Biden to the Mayor and County Supervisors in our locales, opinions and mandates vary. It is beyond my limited brain power to understand all the discord. We are required by law to wear seat belts. People who choose to ignore that law very often risk serious injury or loss of life. Young children are required to be placed in safety-approved child seats. I do not understand, not sure anyone does, how a public health issue is viewed as a violation of my civil rights. Or how it has become a political rallying point. The “We the people” has been lost to “It’s all about me.” I thought we rocked through the “Age of Aquarius” in the 60s.

Memes

Being honest here, I had to look up the definition of memes.

“An Internet meme, more commonly known simply as a meme, is an idea, behavior, or style that is spread via the Internet, often through social media platforms and especially for humorous purposes. What is considered a meme may vary across different communities on the Internet and is subject to change over time.” Wikipedia

I went online to look at some of the “memes.” Mostly they remind me of some of the refrigerator magnets I have staring at me when I open the fridge. The difference is that the memes are on a social media platform and my magnet, “To teach is to touch a life forever” is just keeping me company in the kitchen. Enjoy your memes if you wish. I am happy with my fridge magnet.