ARE YOU CRYING? YES... YES I AM

As a parent, you just want your children to do their best throughout their lives. You understand more than they do because you've been there before and you want them to make less mistakes than you.  Sure, there are moments where they may fail in sports, in school or in life but as a parent, you have 1 important job; Build them up and make them believe that they should try again... no matter how hard, no matter how humiliating... try and overcome failure. If they do, they will succeed.

Trying and doing is a huge achievement in itself and it's a stepping stone that takes you to the next goal, and the next... and the next.  In short, it never ends and every person has goals and mountains to climb, but it's us parents that need to keep our kids focused and never wanting them to give up on themselves.

My wife and I watched opening ceremonies tonight of the Olympic games in Sochi. We love the Olympics and we love Team USA.  The Olympics is a battle, a true battle and much like baseball or football or any competitive sport, when you're in it, it's about giving everything you got to win it all. But when your children are in it... it's 10 times bigger than if it was just you.

In the commercial break, an ad by Proctor & Gamble for Tide came on. It showed kids growing up in their lives, practicing, trying and competing in sports, with their mothers there every step of the way in the stands or helping them put on bandages... or just giving hugs.  Then I lost it... that tread of "try-and-try-again" suddenly showed these much older kids in the Olympics... but this time... they were winning.


"Are you crying?" my wife asked me from across the couch.  "Yes," I said as I sighed in relief... "Yes I am." I wiped my eyes. That commercial defined what life is all about.  Sure, the competition is the big moment, but it's about getting there with practice, failure, achievements and support. Support from your family. Love from your family.

Competition is never easy.  That's why when champions become champions... it's kind of a big deal.  Sure, all of us are fans, fans of the USA Olympic team, the Yankees, whomever... but all of those champions were kids who's parents guided them in life and pushed them to work hard and never lose faith in themselves.  It's because of that that we as fans can relate.  We were kids, we have kids and we are raising future champions... future leaders.

People are born every day, but champions are made through hard work and dedication, grit and determination. You're not born a champion... you need to work.  And you know what? Sometimes you fail before you succeed.  I've always said that as a child, it's important to fail 1 time.  Why?  Because if you do, you won't want to fail again.  You learn from failure. Failure stings. It's a hard concept to grasp, but practice makes perfect and if you don't try to achieve your goals, there is no guarantee you'll ever win a thing.

The Olympics, this brilliant commercial by Tide tonight has inspired me.  Team USA is marching and representing and my New York Yankees are ready for 2014.  Life is good if you're a fan and a proud father like me.  But remember this... teach your kids. Provide confidence, stability, support and the understanding that they need to believe in themselves. If they do that, they can accomplish anything... even competing for the United States Olympic Team.

Go USA!  Be Champions!

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