If there were ever a time when I needed a word of encouragement, it was then. Had Jaycie not said what she said, I don't know how I could have walked out to the podium. She told me that it was okay, that we had won and I should forget about it, and because of her kindness I was able to walk out to the podium and forget about it for a while. I was very thankful for Jaycie's kindness. She had made a mistake in compulsory beam, I remember, and she was able to let it go. That's important as an athlete. You win some, you lose some, and when you make mistakes, it's okay. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I had given my very best that day and contributed some of the highest scores on three events.
Once we were out on the podium, I looked at my medal and realized that this was what we had been working for all those years, through all the hard work and sacrifice and injuries and the striving for perfection. I reminded myself that I deserved it and so did the rest of my teammates. Then I felt that sense of pride and patriotism as our flag was being raised between the flags of Russia and Romania. Everyone in the Georgia Dome was singing our national anthem. As the flag was being raised, I thought to myself, Wow, we actually did it.
Finally, how did your life as an athlete shape your faith? Did your experiences as a gymnast teach you important lessons, or strengthen your character or deepen your soul?
Being an athlete definitely strengthened my faith. I often found myself in stressful situations where I absolutely had to turn to someone else, to a Higher Power for guidance and encouragement. I don't know if I will ever be as devout as my mother is; she has the most complete and ultimate devotion that anyone can have. I observed my mother's faith, and it taught me how to carry myself. When times were tough, I could always rely on my faith. It gave me strength and courage and a sense of protection.
Through the good and the bad-the great experiences and the hardships -- I've learned the importance of faith.
Faith has taught me how to endure challenges and rest assured that better times are ahead. I've also come to realize the meaning of "everything happens for a reason." When things don't work out as I'd planned or hoped, I've come to understand that perhaps I need a challenge to prepare me to be best suited for "the next level" of fulfillment.
Compared to how I saw things as a young athlete, today I have a deeper appreciation for the things that really matter -- my health, the health of my children, the value of a loving husband, and my life experiences. These constant reminders of the goodness of life help me pick myself up when faced with challenges, and this attitude has given me the confidence to believe that life is simply going to get better. Yes, there will be difficulties, disappointments, and sadness, but these experiences allow us to appreciate all the blessings that are all around us. They wake us up to the all of the goodness that we often overlook.
Faith has taken so much stress out of my life, because I know there is a grand plan, and I'm not afraid to believe that my best years are ahead of me. I'm looking forward to seeing my children grow up , I'm looking forward to my bond with my husband becoming more enriched, and I'm looking forward to learning from new life experiences.
Dominique Moceanu is now married and the proud mother of two children, Carmen and Vincent. She has signed a deal for a children's book series with Disney/Hyperion, and she coaches and does choreography and motivational speaking. She filmed a show with Dr. Phil for Wednesday, November 4th, discussing the pressures placed on elite athletes by overzealous parents. Recently she has dabbled in sports journalism with International Gymnast Magazine, and she enjoys traveling the world to gymnastics competitions.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In