We have Baron Pierre de Coubertin to thank for bringing back the ideals of Olympic Charter...

"...Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example, and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."

What will you take away from the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games?  The spectacular opening or ending? Inspiration from the many powerful stories of individuals reaching inside themselves to discover their personal best?  The near magical idea of seeing all the countries come together?

For me these Olympic Games ended up having a special meaning. Earlier this year at a dialogue we held on International Women's Day at the Global Dialogue Center, I met a young Masters Student. In English, her name is "Shiny." She lives in Shanghai and is studying in Munich. She returned home to China for the summer to be with her family. In a message she wrote to me as the Games were unfolding, she offered new meaning about what Olympic GOLD is when it comes to friendship and what we can take away from the games and apply to our lives. Her words also seemed to relate to the community and relationships we are building at Great IBM Connnection. Shiny wrote:

"Somehow we are doing the same thing in a different way, to know each other, to listen, to share, to grow and pass the torch of knowledge throughout nations. Let us enjoy the Olympics and pass on the friendship and peace with our hearts and souls!"

I see now that with all its joys, tragic disappointments, new levels of excellence, and even a few imperfections, for a couple of weeks, we've had an opportunity to come together, to witness the best of what the human spirit can produce.

What did you take away?

debbe Debbe Kennedy
Contributing Author
Greater IBM Connection
Founder, President & CEO
Global Dialogue Center and
Leadership Solutions Companies
www.globaldialoguecenter.com
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
IBMer 1970 - 1991 L.A.; Anchorage; Seattle; San Francisco