Invictus Inspiration

If you saw Prince Harry give his opening speech at the Invictus Games in Sydney, I am sure you will have been as moved as I was. It was a truly inspirational speech and charismatic delivery which must have brought upliftment to hundreds of hearts and minds and hope for the future.

Speaking to the five hundred athletes taking part who were overcoming their mostly war related injuries, Prince Harry said: `You are the unconquered generation. You are the optimistic generation. You are the new generation of servers and you are the role models for us all.`

Harry also spoke movingly of his own experience of seeing fallen colleagues when he was on active service in Afghanistan, and how broken the wounded could be after their life changing experience. This had made him want to use his position to do something to offer them new hope and encouragement. Invictus means `unconquered; undefeated` - the greatness of the human spirit can triumph over all adversity. He wanted to encourage wounded and broken people that there were still wonderful and positive things they could do and my goodness he has certainly done that! I myself listened to an interview with one athlete who had won a medal during the games, and he said that this time last year he had wanted to take his own life as he felt so hopeless, and now he could see a new life opening up before him.

Well done Prince Harry - you are a shining star, and your radiance is an inspiration and example to so many, not only to wounded soldiers and their families, but thousands of us ordinary people, to keep on smiling throughout the many challenges which life on earth can bring.