After the Cheers Fade
- Kim Lengling
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The 2026 Olympics have officially closed.
For two weeks, people around the world were glued to their televisions. Folks gathered in living rooms. Strangers sat side by side in restaurants and airport lounges. Children watched wide-eyed, dreams beginning to form.
We cheered and felt pride when our country's athletes stood tall, and heartbreak when they fell short. We celebrated victories and may have shed a few tears seeing defeat.
We cheered for the underdog, even if they weren’t from our own nation. We applauded courage and perseverance. We shared in joy that had nothing to do with passports or politics.
We watched competitors from different nations exchange hugs, handshakes, and at times, prayer and tears.
The games are over. So, here’s my question: Can we carry that spirit forward even when headlines scream and opinions clash?
Over the last two weeks, we were reminded of something simple: every athlete, no matter their country, is human. They felt relief, pride, disappointment, and overwhelming joy.
Sound familiar? It should, because it isn’t just an athlete’s story. That’s yours and mine too. It’s the human story.
It’s so depressing how easily division can take root. A rumor spreads. A narrative is repeated often enough that it begins to feel like a fact. Lines are drawn, voices grow loud, and hearts grow hard. We’ve all seen and felt it. Maybe you were a part of it.
Whether in politics or in everyday life, there is no room for hate or intentional division. There is no place for cruelty disguised as strength. There is no benefit to tearing one another down in the name of being “right.”
Kindness does not mean weakness, and compassion does not mean compromise of values.
It means remembering that the person across from you, even the one who disagrees with you, is human. They are navigating this short life the best way they know how, just as you are.
The Olympic Games gave us a living example of what’s possible. People from different languages and cultures stood shoulder to shoulder in the same stadium. Of course, they competed fiercely, but they also respected one another. They celebrated effort, not just outcome.
Imagine if we did that in our everyday lives, instead of rushing to judge. Instead of sharing a rumor, we checked to see what was true. Instead of choosing anger or outrage, we chose understanding.
Around the world, children who watched the Olympics are beginning to dream. They are pretending to cross a finish line in their backyard. They are beginning to dream big.
What kind of world will they step into as they grow? One fueled by suspicion and division or one guided by compassion and courage?
We each play a role in that answer. What role will you play?
The Olympics reminded us that beneath the uniforms and flags, the medals and national anthems, we are one human family.
We will not always agree, but we can choose how we treat one another. Let’s move forward with love, kindness, and compassion.
The cheers may have faded from the stadiums, but they don’t have to fade from our lives. We can still cheer one another on and lift someone after a fall. We can believe that unity is possible.
And the best part? It won’t cost you anything, but it just might change everything.
Kim Lengling is a multi-published author, podcast host of Let Fear Bounce, and creator of the Nuggets of Hope movement. Through stories of faith, kindness, healing, and the everyday wisdom of dogs (especially her loyal sidekick Dexter), she encourages women to live with steady hope and gentle strength. Learn more at www.kimlenglingauthor.com.
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