Little things that can matter much by Sandra Cyriac

Have you ever wondered about the magic behind some unforeseen acts of kindness by certain unexpected people? We all might have that one person in our life who has kept aside his own needs and lent us a helping hand at the moment of utmost necessity and despair. 'My Greatest Olympic Prize', an autobiographical sketch by Jesse Owens, the great American athlete throws light into such an act of kindness by Luz Long, who was his fellow competitor at the Berlin Olympics, 1936.

   With the guidance and help of Luz Long, Jesse Owens was able to win the gold medal at the broad jump. Luz Long, the German athlete who was covered under the wraps by Hitler helped Jesse Owens, who was a black man by trashing all the racial barriers put up by the so-called superior races. He sincerely appreciated Owens in his victory, right in front of Hitler without any dismay and anguish. He proved to the world that the gratification of winning is associated with one's own potential and talent, not with the frailty of the opponent. By questioning the ideas of competition, winning, and losing, Owens states that winning is not the most important aspect of competition. Even though winning a game pays off our hard work and endurance, an act of humanity and kindness even at the moments of struggle for accomplishment can give more satisfaction than winning by any means. At any instance of our life, when we are able to give importance to such little things that can matter much, life will be more fulfilling and optimistic.