Too many people live in the past and frequently forget the power of the moment. With each moment comes the potential of living life to the fullest, and reaching for every dream. But society somehow gives us the image of just being a working person, and doing just what you need to do be happy. But that type of so called “happiness” isn’t all that glamorous. It doesn’t require taking risks or being who you really desire to be inside. Most people in this world only dream about being somebody, and never take the time to pursue their dreams. The problem is, if we never chase our dreams, our dreams disappear. John Lennon once sang, “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”. We keep planning and dreaming, and yet, we never reach for any of those dreams. Some people don’t even dream at all. A life without any dreams or goals is very empty life. But there are plenty of amazing people in this world who have accomplished their dreams, after years of chasing after them. These people did just about everything they could to overcome their obstacles to conquer the quest for their dreams. Unfortunately we never hear about them. Instead, each morning, we wake up to reading about violence and other depressing news broadcasted through our newspapers and new channels. How is it that these people can receive our attention, and yet the unsung heroes and dream catchers of our world constantly go unnoticed and forgotten. The only way we ever seem to recognize our leaders and idols is by celebrating their deaths. It is disturbing that our society won’t let us celebrate life, and can’t thank a person or truly appreciate them till after they are gone.

Think about the unsung hero of your own life. One person who never questioned sacrificing time out of their own life just to make your life a little easier and happier. Perhaps they deserve to know that the random act of kindness they performed really meant the world to you. Don’t wait till it’s too late to let a person know how much they meant to you, how much you really respect what they’ve done for you, or to celebrate their lives. There is never an inappropriate time to tell a person, “thank you”.

Society also encourages us to not respect second place, let alone last place. Whether one finishes first in this meet or last, we have all worked hard enough to be considered at a national level, and therefore that makes us no better and anyone else here. We are all striving to be in the same place, all striving for the same goals, and racing against the same clock. Nobody here is an exception to any rule of the book, we ALL had to work hard to get here. Anyone here has the chance of taking away a national championship. Never underestimate the power of your competition, after all, if we all started at the same place, we can all finish at the same place also.

Olympian Kristy Kowal was once quoted saying “If you’ve got a lane, you’ve got a chance”. Nothing can be more truthful than that quote. It is only you who races in that lane, and the outcome of your race should be no one’s control but your own. Take advantage of that fact that you are able to swim against some of the fastest and most elite swimmers of YMCAs in the nation. Every person here has what it takes to become a champion. But to become a champion it requires one to have the desire to be brave enough to want to go where no one has gone before, and to dare to reach their goals. Do you have it in you to be who you dream to be? Think about who you wish to be in the next year, don’t make it another New Year’s resolution, make it real.

Lastly, don’t forget that life is filled with opportunities, it’s never too late to become anyone you wish to be. It is your life, and no one else’s. No one can tell you that you are living your life wrong, that you are loving the wrong parts of life. Make the most of what God has given you.

Now I ask that you take this meet, and live it to it’s fullest potential. Race like there’s no competition, win like there are no losses, and speed through your races – there are no speed limits in this pool.

Let us pray.

God, we thank you for the opportunity to gather in this place to pursue our dreams. Bless our competition, that I may be a reflection of the image in which we have been created. Sustain us in our efforts to reach our potential. Make us mindful of all who labor to share their best efforts and to create a world in which dreams are realized. We ask all of this in the name of the one who gave all, even his life for us.