Today's song is Still Water (Love) by the Four Tops, released in 1970.

I am enjoying the 2008 Olympic Games just as I have for previous Olympics. I try to watch as many of the games as I can throughout the days and nights. I am very impressed with the caliber of most of the people from all nations that compete. Next I'll discuss one event as an example that touched me deeply.

Sunday night I watched a great Olympic 2008 swimming event when the U.S. team beat the French team to win the Gold Medal in the 400 Meter Freestyle Relay. At the beginning of the last leg of that relay, I didn't think the U.S. could win that race. In the span of about 40 seconds, Jason Lezak, age 32, turned up his power and will and won!

I mention this particular item because it demonstrates a perspective I advocate in life and have mentioned here on this site many times previously:

Don't profess to be a victim. Don't run around blaming your situation on someone else or life's circumstances as you encounter them.

Instead, see how you contributed to the prior situations, learn from that introspection and inspection of what took place. Then do something positive about it in the future from your insights.

In support of what I wrote above, I offer Jason Lezak's quote about his resolve in winning the race Sunday night:

"I've been on the last two relays where we come up short ... To be honest with you I got really tired of losing."

If you want to be play the role of a victim instead of a winner, that is your free choice to make. Just understand you'll be left in the wake of a winner every time you make yourself out to be the victim of life's circumstances.

I'm thankful for people like Jason Lezak who work hard to make their lives better for themselves and those around them in an unselfish manner. He's helped Michael Phelps in his quest for winning a record eight Gold Medals in this Olympics. Jason won't win that many, but he is a true winning champion in my eyes.

Found on the web links for August 11, 2008

Here is today's Digital Insight.

Stairway to Heaven (Created in July 2000)

For reasons I can't explain, this image is number one among all my art images. My inspiration for creating it came from the 1970's song of the same name and some of the women I've met in life.

Since I published it, it's come to represent a greater meaning in me. I aspire to do good in everything I do, except my humanity prevents me from achieving that goal occasionally. The stairway increases in the number of steps at each setback.

My late mother used to say I needed to "watch my step." That advice should have been heeded earlier by me. Sometimes I think I'll need an escalator if too many actions go against my wishes.

Using my own words, I quote a portion from that page's narration:

"How many steps are there on the way?"

Don