In 1964 Billy Mills, an Oglata Lakota (Sioux) from South Dakota, won the Gold Medal in the 10,000-meter run. It is considered one of the Olympic’s greatest upsets because the victory came from an unknown Native American athlete. Though Mills grew up in poverty on a reservation, he didn’t know it because there were gardens for food and there was a lot to keep him busy. Without a car, he ran, rode bikes, and swam in ponds, developing cardiovascular conditioning without realizing it. At the age of eight when his mother died, he became despondent, yet managed to become the only American to ever win a gold medal in the 10K event.

Mills’ father’s advice helped him overcome his depression and focus on the future. “Your wings have been clipped,” he said to the young boy. They are broken and the only way to grow them back is by following your passion. Chasing dreams will make you whole again and let you soar like an eagle.” The youth started running and found he excelled at it. Over the years he learned how to manage bouts of low blood sugar and severe depression. He dealt with bullying and racism dished out in high school and at the University of Kansas. A low point during his last year at the University was when a photographer pulled him from a group shot after qualifying for a prestigious race in Brazil. He returned to his dorm room afterward prepared to jump to his death.

As a commissioned officer in the US Marine Corps, he trained at Camp Pendleton for the Olympic Games. During his epic run at the Tokyo games, Mills thought he saw an image of an eagle on a fellow contestant’s shirt. Remembering his father’s words, his feet began to speed. He had the wings of an eagle and realized he had a chance at winning. After the race, he looked for the runner and discovered there was no eagle, only the perception.

“Tokyo was about healing a broken soul,” Mills said. “It was finding peace, making friends.” Mills was finally accepted. “When they played the United States National Anthem, it was powerful. It was beautiful,” though he whispered to himself that he didn’t belong, and cried.

When his track career was over, the Olympian decided to give back to the community and share his legacy. He hoped “to empower the visions of the elders and inspire the dreams of the youth.” In 1912 President Obama awarded Mills the Presidential Citizens Medal for his efforts in Native American causes. Mills at 83 worries that our country is losing its democracy. His days are spent as a philanthropist building hope for the future by teaching his twelve grandchildren and community youth to reach for their dreams.”We need everyone to come together so collectively we can choreograph the horizon of the future.”

I tell this tale because so many people have been sharing stories of their broken souls. I too, find it hard to find good when there is so much of the world appears broken. The pandemic, hot erratic weather, families in disarray, cities of trash, and the unhoused invade our senses. Hatred, fear, and confusion about the future have clipped all too many wings. Instead of looking forward to better times, many people appear to be stuck in a cycle of hopelessness. Rather than searching for their passion and following it to make life better, they wallow in self-pity and look for someone to blame. They lash out at politicians and strangers and make things worse for themselves and society at large. You have only to look at the news and read about escalating domestic and gun violence, road rage, homelessness, and alcoholism to know what I say is true. 

Too many eaglets fallen from their nests lay broken and silent on the ground, unwilling or unable to move. Yet they breathe–and if given a little bit of hope, they could heal. Though their wings were clipped they can grow strong and stretch wide to carry them to their dreams. A person, no matter age or circumstance, who believes in him or herself and has a passion for making something happen that will improve their life has the ingredients needed to pull forward. It can be done. 

No one ever said that a transition was easy. Turning a dream into reality take perseverance, and it may require putting a hard shell around you that keeps adversity at bay–but it can be done. As our country moves through an unprecedented era of transformation we must never give up hope. It is the dreams of young and old that carry light into the world. Imagine what it would be like if everyone dreamt of achieving success in a just and fair society. We’d look up in amazement at seeing thousands of powerful fliers–eagles soaring, gliding, and flapping their spectacular wings over great distances, guiding themselves and loved ones to the places they were meant to be.

Do share your dreams and the energy you put forth to make a better future for yourself and others. Add them to my blog site below.

Art is always for sale. Silence is a mixed media, three-dimensional acrylic painting backed by canvas. 28″ by 40″. Framed. Available for $650. Contact me at marilynne@eichingerfineart.com.