Like so many others worldwide, I am watching the Olympics. I have been brought to tears as I watch an individual achieve their lifelong dream, and tears as I watch years of work reduced to a single moment of loss. I am awed by the beauty of the horses competing in the equestrian events, and stunned by the strength within a single human’s body. I cheer as though the athletes are friends or family members. And, hold my breath in each of the moments that decide whether the athlete will be on a podium or not.
I am overcome with
- awe,
- joy,
- exuberance,
- grief,
- pride,
- humility,
- respect,
- fear,
- agony, and
- elation
- and so, so much more.
Sometimes I feel these emotions separately, and I can name them. At other times, I feel them all at once as a muddle from my heart to the tips of my fingers.
I know I am not alone. It is this “Olympic experience” that calls us all to watch the sports we love and those we have never seen before.
I can share my experience with others, primarily because I have a communication system that is sophisticated enough to allow for a myriad of emotions, far exceeding happy, mad, or sad. But, for individuals who do not have a communication system that enables them to sufficiently communicate with others, the Olympics highlight one more way they are not a connected and valued member of the community. Yes, most of us, regardless of our communication skills can cheer, smile, or cry. But can they tell you they are crying tears of shared joy for the person’s victory? Or that the tears are because the competition is over and the adrenaline of watching has brought them to an emotional apex? Or that they are sad for the person who placed 4th, going home with no medal even though they worked as hard as the person wearing gold?
No. They don’t have a sufficient communication system.
Instead, they are relegated to our guessing and waiting for them to indicate if we guessed right or wrong. Often resigning themselves to not be understood, but instead, left with an interpretation of their feelings, beliefs, or desires based on our perspective, not theirs.
Communication is how we connect and share our experiences, and our hearts. Every member of our community needs to have an effective communication system to share what is in their heart, mind, and body. Until that happens, we are all deprived.
