VALDOSTA —
Today, many Americans will embark on a journey joined by people from around the globe.
They may never leave their homes, or travel past their city limits, but with today’s opening ceremonies in London, they will spend the next two weeks watching fellow Americans and the world compete for Olympic gold.
For the Olympics are more than the mere idea of traveling from one location to another. They are more than any one nation that hosts the athletic competition every four years.
The Olympics are about traveling the edges of possibility. The Games are about the dedicated push to reach a destination of physical perfection fueled by indomitable spirit and determined grit.
The Olympic Games are about the will power to succeed.
Granted, there is a certain irony in watching such commitment play out as many of us will sit on our couches eating popcorn and sipping colas.
But all Olympic athletes began their journey with a first step. Few of us will ever reach the level of becoming Olympic athletes, but we can allow their successes, their accomplishments, even their failures to inspire us to try, to strive, to live a more active, healthier life.
All it takes is a first step and, in the weeks and months to come, the Olympics may take us on journeys undreamed of.
What We Think
An Olympian journey
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How should we handle the mentally ill?
Nearly 20 percent of our state’s population suffers from a form of mental illness, with around 4 percent suffering from acute mental illness. It’s a significant health issue in Georgia.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To all South Georgia graduates. Congratulations on your success in completing school and best wishes on your continued success in the future.
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New era at the Boys and Girls Club
Next week on June 1, it will be the official end of an era at the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta when Robert Soper hands over responsibility for the organization to the new Chief Professional Officer Jim Wink.
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Thank you, EMS
We always pull over for them, but we rarely seem to thank them.
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Tornado: An aftermath of help
Seeing the massive path of destruction left in the wake of tornadoes in Oklahoma Monday was a sobering reminder of the power of spring storms.
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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How should we handle the mentally ill?
