Skip to main content

Wisdom

There is a time, after great preparation, study, practice, and drive when we are on center stage.

Perhaps we are cooking for our in-laws.
Going for the treasured job interview.
Taking the Bar exam.
Giving birth.

Some events take a life time of preparation, others moments. 

Late week, Russian skater Evgeni Plushenko made a decision. 

He'd skated early in the week as part of the Russian skating team and helped his country earn a gold medal.

Plushenko worked through many injuries during the course of his training and endured many surgeries including having a synthetic disk placed in his back. He worked hard during rehabilitation and won the hearts of the audience and judges during the team skating competition.

But later in the week, while warming up for the men's single skating program, he did a triple axle, fell, and felt pain surge in his back. He'd fallen several times during the practice each time experiencing the back pain. According to NBC sports, he knew then he would be unable to compete. Plushenko received immediate assistance and was encouraged to go out that evening and skate for his country. He had only a short time to consider what to do.

The decision weighed heavy on him even to the moment his name was called and he skated out on the ice. The crowd cheered, filling the stadium with the sound of their applause and anticipation of his performance. 

Plushenko waved to the people and bowed in gratitude. He smiled and waved again. At that moment he made his decision. He skated to the judges table and withdrew from the competition, citing he was retiring. 

He later said to an AP reporter, "I think it's God saying, 'Evgeni, enough, enough with skating. Age, it's OK. But I have 12 surgeries. I'd like to be healthy."

I can't help but have tremendous respect for this man who had already won a gold in this 2014 Olympics, and two silver medals and a gold in previous Olympic games.

At thirty-one he demonstrated great wisdom. He'd proven his skill; he'd used his talents for his country, and now he wisely realized his health needed his focus.

What bothers me is the insensitivity of those who have their priorities in the wrong place. Take this news report: "Russian figure skater Evgeni Plushenko withdrew with back pain to deprive the host nation of one of its most anticipated moments at the Sochi Olympics..." Bloomberg News at Bloomberg.com

Seriously? Would they rather he had fallen in front of his countrymen who have great respect for him and end up having to be carted out on a stretcher?

Plusheko said to ABC News, "I almost cried because it's hard, believe me. This is [the] end of my career but I try to make best. I am normal people like you. I'm not robot. I try my best and I try to go 'til the end."

I feel he deserves a standing ovation for his decision. He didn't have a choice in the timing. But he did have the choice to be wise.

Kudos, Plusheko. You have become a great example to others.

Obviously I have shown my opinion. 
This is an open forum.
What do you think about Plusheko's decision to retire seconds before his performance?

Resources February 13, 2014: 
NBC Sports, 
ABC News, 
AP, 
Bloomberg News

This post is brought to you by the one-word: Wisdom


Comments

I think that Mr. Plusheko showed great courage when he decided not to skate. Many non-athletes tend to put immense pressure and unrealistic expectations on the people who have been given the talent and the drive to exceed. I am not an athlete but I have realized that my strength and agility aren't as great as they once were. No, I am not giving up. Just realizing that while age does lesson some abilities it also enhances others and hopefully WISDOM is greatly increased! Kudos to Plusheko. I hope he can enjoy a happy and healthy retirement.
Thanks, Mary. As always, you have made me think!
I probably should have said "the drive to excel and succeed".
Connie
cps1950@gmail.com
Janice said…
My thoughts align with yours, Mary, on his decision. He has honored God with his choice.
Thank you, Connie.
And I think you're right, Plusheko is not giving up by any means. The doors are wide open for his talents!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing, Janice. :)

Popular posts from this blog

Suzanne Woods Fisher - Overcoming the Fear of Failure

We've all had something fail. Maybe a school assignment, baking a cake, changing a car tire. Well that was my shortlist confession. There really is a mile long list that you don't want to hear.  Talk about a quick drive to the blues. Even one negative comment in a barrel full of praises can take us down. Sigh. Why oh why do we remember the one negative one and forget the positives.  You are not alone. We all do this. But there is a way of escape. Today, Suzanne Woods Fisher is going to share her story. The Fear of Failure ā€œFor I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear; I will help youā€ (Isaiah 41:13, niv).              Years ago, before I received my first book contract, an editor returned a manuscript to me with the comment that the writing wasn’t up to her publishing house’s ā€œcaliber.ā€  Ouch!  That was a tough remark to swal...

A Memory Device For You

Photo Courtesy Recently I added a memory game to my week's activities.  It all started when I listened to one of those fabulous sermons in church and actually took notes. Later in the week, I recalled liking the sermon and searched for the notes, but lamented when I couldn't find the piece of paper. I quizzed myself: What was the general topic? I racked my brain…good grief this was Thursday and a thousand other things had happened when I asked the question. After a cup of tea, visualizing where I sat in the sanctuary, and using every other means possible to remember the general topic I finally answered the question.  The process to recall the rest of the good things said was an epic fail.  Although I have since started using a notebook I have created a memory game. On Monday, at any point during the day, I try to say the following without the use of my notes: General topic of the sermon Main book of the Bible used  Application p...

Laughter and Singing at the Homeless Shelter

It was a night to remember. A night to tell friends about. So I am... Fifty men, women, and teens rode in busses on icy expressways into the inner city. They poured out of the bus at a homeless shelter unsure where to go, what to do, or what to say. One led the pack through the main doors, pass security checkpoints, and on through winding hallways to a large room. At night, this room is filled, wall to wall, with cots, blankets, and at this time of year, cold homeless men, women, and children. On this evening before the night, hundreds of chairs formed straight rows and faced a platform.   The fifty set up sound and instrument equipment. Singers cozied in the limited platform space. Instrumentalists tuned their instruments.  A few residents poked their heads in the door. Intrigued, they came in and watched the first measures of several songs start, stop, start again. Microphone levels adjusted. The singers laughed. Chattered. The group stepped off to the side and...