For the last two weeks I have, like millions of other people, been Olympic-obsessed. No matter what night it was, you could expect to see me perched on my couch (or my friends’ couches…. or a bar stool) completely enamored with the action in Vancouver. Why watch some reality singing competition when you can watch a group of real American idols compete for the gold?!

Not only was it entertaining watching the Americans walk away with 37 medals, but I actually learned some things as well (and no, curling was not one of them- I still don’t understand that sport).

Lessons from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics:

Rock your look… even if some people don’t like it. I’m one of the few people that actually liked the US snowboarders’ uniforms (outfits? costumes? hmmm). I loved the plaid pullovers, the baggy jeans, the laidback attitude. It matches the sport, it matches our competitors, and hey, we’re the best right? We could all take a little style inspiration from Shaun White. If you like your clown-red locks, then ignore all the haters and rock it with confidence.

Better safe than sorry. The Vancouver Olympics got off to a less than stellar start after the death of a Georgian luger during a training run. The track was then recrafted to be easier… excuse me, safer for other lugers. And you know what many of them did? Complain. They said the new track was too easy. They said it was like a kindergarten level track. They said ‘that kid’ didn’t belong at the Olympics anyway.

You know what I say? Shut it. I’m all for taking risks every once in a while, but sometimes it’s better safe than sorry. That’s why we discourage smoking, tanning, drinking and driving. It’s why we wear our seatbelts or put on sunscreen. An Olympic athlete lost his life on that track, and they took the necesary precautions to keep it from happening again. No argument there.

Sometimes when you fall, it isn’t easy to get back up… and sometimes you end up falling again. Our entire life people are telling us to ‘get back on the horse,’ ‘pick ourselves up and try again,’ ‘ don’t give up.’ Easier said than done, my friend.

Take for example, the Russian pairs skaters of Yuko Kavaguti and Alexander Smirnov. After an early fall, they tripped and stumbled through their entire free skate routine. It was tough to watch. I’m not saying we should just start giving up when the going gets tough, I’m just saying it isn’t always easy to get your costumed butt off that freezing cold ice and keep skating… much less in sequins and with a smile.

Don’t knock people down on your way to the top. I’m talking to you short track speed skaters.

Good stories help your cause. You slahsed your leg open skating? You came out of retirment? Bruised your shin? Face it, would you care half as much about these athletes if they all lived perfect little lives and nothing bad ever happened to them? It’s the adversity they faced that make their victories even better. Next time something bad happens to you, just imagine the Morgan Freeman-narrated commercial that could come out of it and maybe you’ll feel a little bit better.

Be a gracious winner. Highlights of some not so gracious winners at the 2010 games- Russian skater Plushenko talks smack on US Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek, tries to stand on the gold level podium. Apollo Anton Ohno  blames his disqualification on Canadian referees. The US Hockey team sulks, rolls their eyes as they are awarded their silver medals.

I’m not saying losing is easy (it sucks… especially for my beloved American hockey players), but you are at the Olympics. You are representing your sport, your nation. You are lucky. Smile. Say thank you.

If you can do something different, you’ll go far in life. Would Shaun White have won the gold without his Double McTwist? Yep, probably. But he’s a hell of a lot cooler now because he did it. Because no one else could do it. You need a unique selling point. It’s the thing you can do better than anyone else. Be like Shaun and show it off.

Love what you do… even if people don’t understand. I do not get curling. I spent numerous nights watching it. I saw ‘how to play’ videos and infographics online. Alas, I still do not understand (I also question any ‘sport’ where you can have your hair and makeup all done up like that…). But hey, props to them. They love curling. They know people think it’s weird. They play anyway.

Maybe this one resonates with me a lot becuase I’m into a lot of things ‘normal’ people don’t understand. I like blogging. I’m obsessed with TV. I check in on Foursquare and tell people what I’m eating for lunch on Twitter (okay, I don’t do that… often). I find myself defending my passions all the time. So even though I don’t understand the game of curling one bit, I watch and I cheer (note to friends who don’t understand my curling-like passions: you should watch and cheer for me too).

The 2010 Vancouver Olympics gave me a nice escape from my normal life. I’ve never talked about sports, Canada, or Bob Costas more than I have in the last two weeks. And to be honest, I already miss it. How many days til London’s opening ceremonies?

Image Credit: Yourenew.com

Danielle is the Television and movies Editor  for Girls Guide. You can check out her personal blog, Addicted to Television, where she talks about her television obsession. If you want to give her free movie passes she wouldn’t be shy in taking them, so you can email them to her at danielle [at] girlsguidetothegalaxy [dot] com, and you can follow her on Twitter – @daniellesmyname.