Be all you can be

By Mark Hopkins

Today we introduce a new column to the Southeast Missourian. Dr. Mark L. Hopkins was a longtime resident of Southeast Missouri and now lives in Anderson S.C. He is a Southeast Missouri State University graduate; taught in Piedmont, Farmington and Dexter; served as assistant to the chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia; and as president of four colleges during a 35-year career in higher education. His work will appear from time to time in the Sunday Good Times section.

It was the last run of the Giant Slalom at the Grenoble Winter Olympics in 1968. Jean-Claud Killy was on his last run below me. I was the only one left. It was now or never, the challenge of a lifetime, the opportunity that would never come again.

When the clock hit zero I broke the plane of the timer and began the mile-and-a-half-controlled fall that down hill skiing is at the highest levels of competition. The first gate was easy and I turned to the right and tucked my body in tight to cut down on wind resistance. The second gate brushed my shoulder, as close as I could get without running the risk of missing the gate. The pattern continued, first left and then right, with speed picking up to 60 miles per hour and beyond. Finally, the last hill and the feeling of gravity lost as it threw me up into the air a dozen feet and I struggled to land on both skis. Then the finish line and turning the skis so that I stopped short of the barriers throwing snow up on the faithful who had braved the elements to watch this historic event. Where was the timer? How did I place? Did Killy win this one too? I heard the crowd cheer and someone handed me an American flag. I loosened the skis and began walking into the crowd with hands patting me on the back. Yes, this happened -- in my dreams.

Unfortunately, God doesn't bless all of us with Olympic level ability. It is easy to hide behind the rationalization that in the ability department we were not so blessed. Oh, but we are. As the kindergartner said, "I know I'm good because God don't make no junk." We all have talents and abilities. The first secret to success in life is to get our talents and abilities identified so we know what they are.

Unfortunately, that is just step one. Once we know "what?" then we have to deal with "how?" Down hill skiers aren't born with the ability to fly down snow-covered hills at 60 miles an hour nor stock brokers with the ability to pick a winning stock. Parents are not born with the ability to be a great mother or father. In every case you have to study and think, and then work at it with dedication and commitment. Perseverance becomes the last key piece of the puzzle. You must hang in there. Talent without dedication, commitment and perseverance is talent wasted.

Consider this a challenge. As you watch the Olympics over the next couple of weeks think of all the key ingredients that must come together to make an Olympic athlete. Then look at your own possibilities to succeed in your job, your family, in life. Ask yourself this question, "Am I all that I can be?" Yes, we all have work to do.

Mark Hopkins is a former Chaffee resident. He can be reached at presnet@presnet.net. Books by Hopkins can be found in the Chaffee Library.