TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET

#38 September 19, 2005

Welcome to this week's message from the Tunney-Side-Of-The-Street. You are encouraged to share this with fellow workers, family and friends.

For more than 30 years I have been involved with Special Olympics. Annually I have attended their Summer Games both in Monterey, and in Northern and Southern California. Further, it was an honor to serve six years on their California Board of Governors along with speaking to Special Olympics meetings and conventions throughout our country.

While it was always my intention to help those special athletes, I came away with the feeling that they helped me more than I helped them. The spirit and enthusiasm displayed by these athletes living each day with disabling physical or mental conditions, yet competing in athletic events, is inspiring. The title of my new book, It's the Will, Not the Skill certainly applies here.

I often relate Special Olympics stories to corporate and business audiences to demonstrate the power of the will and teamwork. Here's one I especially like: The 400-meter run is just one lap around a normal football field track. Coming around the final turn, heading up the straightaway was a teenage boy with Down Syndrome. You've seen the Down kids - short legs, large head but always a smile on their faces. About 30 yards from the finish line, this special athlete was in the lead when he stumbled and fell. All of us onlookers watched, while the rest of the runners (some 6 or 7) stopped - and picked him up. Wow! What a symbol of spirit and camaraderie.

Would you do that? Would I? Are we "too busy making a living, doing our own thing" that we can't stop and help someone in need? Too often we don't. How many of us do something in our own community to help others in need with no sense of reward?

Well, you did - we did! And thanks to soooo many who interrupted their daily activities, dug down deep, financially and personally, to help those who are suffering the disastrous effects of Hurricane Katrina. I have been in New Orleans many times; I cannot believe what I was watching.

Is the outpouring of support for these victims - the loss of loved ones, the destruction of their homes and businesses, etc., too much to ask of us to help? Tragedy happens around us every day. Too often we just observe and move on. But this time - as it was on 9/11 - we all feel the need to help. God Bless you for doing so.

Will helping others in need be a life-long activity in your life?

Look for my new book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success

For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com

ARTICLE TAGLINE FOR JIM TUNNEY, Ed.D., CSP, CPAE

Copyright © 2003 Jim Tunney. All rights reserved.
You can visit Jim's website at http://www.jimtunney.com

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