Dear Olympian,

There’s a reason you only compete every four years.

Because it takes time to train, to learn and re-learn, to fall, get up, and try again. Many of you have been at this since you were children. Back when it was play, when it was just fun to make the shapes, to feel the wind, to dream the dream.

It’s taken most of you ten years or more to get where you are today.

Yesterday, I told a writer that wanting to be published today is like wanting to be in the Olympics.

She didn’t like hearing that. Because she just wants to fly, and doesn’t want to fall.

But you know what I know – you need the muscle-memory of plummeting to appreciate the soaring beauty of rising up.

Very sincerely,

Writer