Dr. Tiffany Ofili Porter

My sister Cindy Sember qualified for her third Olympic Games taking place in a few weeks in Paris, and I’m very excited for her!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cindy Sember (@cindyofili)

Three years ago, we were competing at the Olympic Trials together, and now she’s continuing on for the both of us and making our family very proud! It’s wild to think that we both will be in Paris, except this time with me being a spectator and experiencing the Olympic spirit in a very different capacity.

With the shift from being an athlete to a supporting cast member in my sister’s story, it made me pause and reflect on how profound it truly is to cheer for others from the heart.

Here are 5 reasons it’s important to celebrate the accomplishments of your siblings/loved ones.

1. It Strengthens Bonds of Support and Love

When you celebrate your sibling’s achievements, you’re not just acknowledging their success, you’re also reinforcing a sense of support and love. Anyone who knows me knows I go hard for my sister, and I already know witnessing her step foot on that Olympic stadium first hand will not only be special for her, but will be a core memory for me as well.

I hope that Cindy knowing that I genuinely care about her milestones is not only empowering but also comforting.

When we cheer for our loved ones, it builds a foundation of trust and mutual encouragement, cultivating a relationship where both parties feel valued and understood.

2. It Fosters a Culture of Positivity and Motivation

Celebrating accomplishments creates a positive atmosphere within the family dynamic. It encourages a mindset focused on growth, resilience, and continuous improvement. My family and I have always been close, and I’m grateful that our parents taught us early on to be our siblings’ biggest supporters and resist the urge to compete with one another.

Now, an obvious exception to this was when my sister and I were competing against each other on the track at practice and competitions, but it never stood in the way of us celebrating each other’s accomplishments.

Back then, she forced me to be a better athlete, and now, in retirement, seeing her unrelentlessly go for gold reminds me to strive for excellence in every phase of life.

When you highlight the successes of those closest to you, you can inspire each other to strive for more and to pursue goals with determination and enthusiasm. This positive reinforcement can have a ripple effect, influencing other aspects of life and relationships.

3. It Cultivates Gratitude and Appreciation

Taking the time to celebrate your sibling’s achievements teaches us to recognize and be grateful for the efforts and talents of those we care about. The same way my sister may appreciate me flying to Paris for the Olympics is the same way I feel grateful to her for committing to her goal and earning her spot on the Olympic team. My sister gave our family a huge reason to be proud, and I’m going to enthusiastically celebrate with her in return.

When we cultivate that gratitude & appreciation, it enhances empathy and strengthens emotional bonds, fostering a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and validated.

4. It Builds Lasting Memories and Traditions

Celebrating accomplishments creates lasting memories and traditions that bind siblings together across time. Whether it’s a simple congratulatory gesture or a more elaborate celebration, these moments become part of your shared history. They also serve as anchors of connection and joy, reminding you of the support and pride you have for each other’s journeys and successes.

This Olympic Games marks the third time my sister and I will attend together, and even though I won’t be competing, I’m confident the memories we create will last a lifetime. Sometimes, when I look back on our previous two Games together, I wonder if I truly savored the moment with full appreciation of how cool it was to experience it together. This time around, I won’t make that mistake, and I will enjoy every second on Paris 2024.

5. It Inspires Personal Growth and Confidence

Acknowledging your sibling’s accomplishments can reinforce the belief that hard work pays off and can encourage them to continue striving for excellence.  When we cheer our loved ones on, we not only show them we care, but we also are displaying through our actions that we are committed to their success in any way possible.

Knowing that their achievements are recognized and celebrated by loved ones can provide the motivation needed to overcome challenges and pursue future goals ambitiously.

And this is not something to be slept on. It truly matters.

My sister has done an incredible job bouncing back from setbacks and persevering to make it to the point of becoming a three time Olympian. To say I’m proud is an understatement, and I plan on showing her just how excited I am to be her loudest cheerleader when we arrive in Paris in a few weeks.

Celebrating your sibling’s accomplishments isn’t just about recognizing their achievements; it’s about nurturing a bond rooted in support, love, and mutual growth. It’s about creating a positive environment where success is celebrated, challenges are faced together, and memories are cherished. By embracing this practice, you not only strengthen your relationship with your sibling but also contribute to a family dynamic built on encouragement, empathy, and shared happiness.

So, next time your sibling achieves something great, celebrate wholeheartedly—it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

—
TOP

If you would like to join me in cheering Cindy on in the 100 meter hurdles at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, you can tune in from home on August 7th at 3:15am (CST), August 8th at 3:35am (CST), August 9th at 5:05am (CST), and August 10th at 12:45pm (CST). Here is the link to the full schedule for track and field:

https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule/athletics?day=1-august