Great topic to throw out to your readers. It certainly has been the focus of many people the last few weeks. And you, and your readers address many interesting facets of this subject.

I’m worried though! I think I may get myself in trouble here — and believe me, it’s not my intention. Here’s why. . .

Most posts are very positive about the Olympics and what a young person gives up in dedicating their lives to a sport. And it is never four years of dedication. It is a typically a decade or two (from childhood on), depending on the sport and how long one competes.

Many readers also commented on the issue of “balance” — we hear so often about, and struggle to create and maintain — in our own lives.

Yes, ALL athletes who participate are winners, and deserve to be acknowledged for what they have given up, mastered and personally accomplished.

Yet, I can’t help but wonder about those parents in Canada who have watched their government spend countless $Billions CD to host the games, yet are struggling to feed their families and a roof over their heads.

Same thing for parents the world over who have been so dramatically impacted by the last three years of financial turmoil.

And if you’ve been following the Olympics for as many decades as I have, you’ve seen the price tag to put these events on become astronomical!

Yes, seemingly great things come out of the Olympics, but of what lasting value are they? And what do they really prove about the world’s countries, governments and citizens?

Personally, I can’t but help think how much better we’d all be if the money spent before, during and after Olympics (training, lobbying to host, etc.) were devoted to improving the lives of countless billions around the world who struggle just to live from one day to the next.

This to me is where our balance needs to be — not putting SO much focus on our own individual glory (or that of our athletes, countries or citizens) — but in eliminating the HUGE disparities that exist in this world, that prevent such a large segment of our fellow humans from even contemplating what it must be like to have an opportunity and the resources (personal and/or corporate and/or government) to devote oneself to a sport.

I could go on, but won’t.

So, what we do here in the world of the Internet, can and certainly does, change the lives of those who choose to participate, who decide to acquire the knowledge necessary to be successful in this new and ever changing enterprise.

It is my hope that each of us can take some of what we gain from our online businesses and contribute to helping others who need our helping hand.

Joe