The Value of Moments in Life

The 2024 Paris Olympics are in full swing. A few days ago, South Korea won gold medals in both the men's and women's team archery events. The women's team achieved a remarkable 10th consecutive victory, while the men's team secured their third consecutive gold. While we naturally expect to win gold in archery, the actual skill difference between our athletes and those from other countries seems minimal. Many of our coaches have gone abroad to share our training methods, leading to a leveling of skills globally. Despite this, maintaining dominance for such a long period is truly impressive.

 

 

They say that the skill levels of the athletes competing in the Olympics are extremely close, separated by the thinnest of margins. This is understandable, as everyone has worked hard for these four years to be on this stage. The outcomes for these athletes, who possess similar skill levels, are determined by a moment's focus. In those critical moments, it is their composure, confidence, and belief that make the difference when releasing the arrow. It may seem unreasonable that the results of such long-term efforts are decided in such a brief moment. However, when everyone is on a similar level, the person who can control those crucial moments ultimately earns the right to be called the winner.

 

The value of one minute in the Olympic finals is vastly different from one minute in practice. The immense time and effort invested in preparing for that single minute at the Olympics make it clear. Being able to perform in such crucial moments is not merely a matter of luck. The time at the Olympics, compressed from countless hours of practice, is akin to the highlights of a movie. This is why we are so passionate about the Olympics.

 

 

The same applies to our lives. Not every moment of our lives holds the same value. We must invest our ordinary time to prepare for those important moments in life. We need to remember that seemingly meaningless days accumulate to create significant meaning in our lives. Therefore, every moment of our lives is important. Unlike the Olympics, we do not know when those crucial moments will come. Those who quietly prepare will reap the rewards, while those who do not will merely complain about their lack of luck. In life, as in the Olympics, the one who can control those critical moments becomes the victor. We might attribute their success to luck, but we must also consider the effort they put in to seize those moments.

 

It is unfortunate when crucial moments for athletes are undermined by referee mistakes or poor management. While such occurrences should be avoided, if they happen, we must not let them shake us. After all, can we say that life itself is 100% fair? Sometimes, we must carry such unfairness with us. Instead of being swayed by it, we should use it as a stepping stone for further development.

 

Applause to all the athletes who give their best effort.